Which is a result of boundary plates colliding or sliding past each other? (1 point)
valleys form
mountains form
volcanoes erupt
earthquakes occur
earthquakes occur
One of the results of boundary plates colliding or sliding past each other is that earthquakes occur.
The correct answer is: earthquakes occur.
When boundary plates collide or slide past each other, it results in tremendous forces and effects on the Earth's crust. This interaction between plates is known as plate tectonics. There are three types of plate boundaries: convergent (colliding), divergent (moving apart), and transform (sliding past).
When convergent boundaries collide, the plates can either be oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, or continental-continental. In all cases, these collisions can lead to the formation of mountains, as the rocks get compressed and folded. So, the answer "mountains form" is partially correct.
However, the main impact of plates colliding or sliding past each other is the generation of earthquakes. The earth's crust is not a continuous, solid layer but rather a mosaic of rigid plates. When two plates come into contact, they can become locked due to friction. As the locked plates strain and stress builds up, it eventually overcomes the friction, causing a sudden release of energy in the form of seismic waves. These seismic waves create vibrations and shaking of the ground, which we experience as earthquakes.
Therefore, the correct answer is "earthquakes occur" when boundary plates collide or slide past each other.