Earths Structure And Layers Questions Medium
Convergent plate boundaries are areas where two tectonic plates collide or move towards each other. There are three types of convergent plate boundaries: oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, and continental-continental.
1. Oceanic-oceanic convergent boundaries occur when two oceanic plates collide. As the denser plate subducts beneath the other, a deep oceanic trench is formed. The subduction process can also lead to the formation of volcanic arcs, such as the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific.
2. Oceanic-continental convergent boundaries occur when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. The denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the less dense continental plate, forming a deep oceanic trench. This subduction can result in the formation of volcanic arcs, such as the Andes Mountains in South America and the Cascade Range in North America. Additionally, the subduction process can cause intense folding and faulting, leading to the formation of mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.
3. Continental-continental convergent boundaries occur when two continental plates collide. Since continental plates have similar densities, neither subducts beneath the other. Instead, the collision causes intense compression, resulting in the formation of highly folded mountain ranges. The collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, for example, led to the formation of the Himalayas.
In summary, convergent plate boundaries are characterized by the collision or convergence of tectonic plates, leading to the formation of geological features such as deep oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and mountain ranges.