What happens at a convergent plate boundary?
A. Earth's rock plates grow denser
B. Earth's rock plates pull away from each other
C. Earth's rock plates slide past each other
D. Earth's rock plates collide with one another
D. Earth's rock plates collide with one another
D. Earth's rock plates collide with one another.
At a convergent plate boundary, two tectonic plates are moving towards each other. When they collide, they can create a variety of geological features and processes. The specific outcome of a convergent plate boundary depends on the types of tectonic plates involved.
There are three main types of convergent plate boundaries:
1. Oceanic-Continental Convergence: In this case, an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. The denser oceanic plate is usually subducted (forced underneath) the less dense continental plate. This results in the formation of deep oceanic trenches, mountain ranges, and volcanic activity as the subducted plate melts and magma rises to the surface.
2. Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence: When two oceanic plates collide, the denser of the two is subducted beneath the other. This forms deep oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and sometimes even island arcs.
3. Continental-Continental Convergence: When two continental plates collide, neither plate is dense enough to be subducted. Instead, the plates buckle and fold, leading to the formation of large mountain ranges. The collision may also cause intense earthquakes and the formation of deep crustal rocks.
In summary, at a convergent plate boundary, Earth's rock plates collide with one another, leading to various geological features and processes depending on the type of plates involved.
At a convergent plate boundary, Earth's rock plates collide with one another. To understand this concept, we need to know a bit about plate tectonics. The Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, is divided into several large and numerous smaller plates that float on the semi-fluid layer beneath, called the asthenosphere.
At convergent plate boundaries, two lithospheric plates are moving towards each other. This occurs due to the motions of convection currents in the asthenosphere. When two plates interact at a convergent boundary, the result depends on the type of plates involved.
There are three types of convergent plate boundaries:
1. Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence: Here, two oceanic plates collide. Since oceanic plates are dense and made up of heavier materials like basalt, when they collide, one of the plates is forced to subduct, or sink, beneath the other plate. This process leads to the formation of deep-sea trenches, volcanic arcs, and island chains.
2. Oceanic-Continental Convergence: In this case, an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. Due to the difference in density, the oceanic plate is usually forced beneath the continental plate, resulting in subduction. The subduction creates a trench and can often lead to the formation of volcanoes, mountain ranges, and earthquakes.
3. Continental-Continental Convergence: When two continental plates collide, neither plate is dense enough to subduct beneath the other. As a result, the plates crumple and buckle, creating massive mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.
So, at a convergent plate boundary, Earth's rock plates collide with one another, leading to the formation of various geological formations like mountains, trenches, and volcanoes, depending on the type of plates involved. Option D, "Earth's rock plates collide with one another," is the correct answer.