Plate A and Plate B are both made of continental plate material where they touch. What will happen as the plates press together?
A.
The edges of both plates will be pushed upward as the plates continue to move toward each other.
B.
The edges of both plates will be pushed downward as the plates continue to move toward each other.
C.
One plate will stop moving, and one plate will push upward as it continues to move toward the other plate.
D.
Both plates will stop moving.
Its a or b idk which one though
To determine what will happen as the plates press together, we need to understand the basic principles of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that move and interact with each other.
When two continental plates meet, we can expect a specific type of boundary called a convergent boundary or a collision zone. At a convergent boundary, both plates are moving toward each other. The type of convergent boundary formed will depend on the type of plate material involved.
In the case of two continental plates coming together, they are made of relatively buoyant material and are less dense compared to the underlying mantle. As a result, neither plate will be completely subducted or pushed beneath the other. Instead, the plates will collide and create a collision zone.
Option A, "The edges of both plates will be pushed upward as the plates continue to move toward each other," is the correct answer. As the plates collide, the pressure and forces exerted cause the crust at the leading edges to be squeezed and uplifted, forming mountain ranges. This process is responsible for the creation of some of the world's highest mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.
Option B, "The edges of both plates will be pushed downward as the plates continue to move toward each other," is incorrect. Since continental plates are relatively buoyant, they do not easily subduct beneath each other, so there will be no significant downward movement or subduction.
Option C, "One plate will stop moving, and one plate will push upward as it continues to move toward the other plate," is also incorrect. Both plates continue to move, and the collision zone is marked by compression and uplifting rather than one plate stopping.
Option D, "Both plates will stop moving," is also incorrect. While plates can come to a halt at certain boundaries, such as transform boundaries, in this scenario, the plates are converging, which means they are actively moving toward each other.
In summary, when two continental plates collide, as they continue to move toward each other, the edges of both plates will be pushed upward, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges. Therefore, the correct answer is A.