What geological feature results from a convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate?

What geological feature results from a convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate?

• A. Mid-ocean ridge
• B. Deep ocean trench
• C. Volcanic island arc
• D. Plateau

Answer: (B)

A convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate typically results in the formation of a deep ocean trench. This happens when the denser oceanic plate subducts, or sinks underneath, the lighter continental plate. As the oceanic plate descends into the mantle, it creates a trench that is often located at the edge of continents. The subduction process not only forms these trenches but can also lead to intense geological activity, including the potential for volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountain ranges. This process contrasts with what occurs at other types of plate boundaries. For example, a mid-ocean ridge is associated with divergent boundaries where tectonic plates move apart. A volcanic island arc forms primarily as a result of oceanic-oceanic convergence rather than oceanic-continental convergence. A plateau is typically formed through processes like uplift and erosion and is not directly related to subduction between oceanic and continental plates. Each of these features represents different geological processes that occur at divergent, oceanic-oceanic, and continental-continental boundaries.

A convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate typically results in the formation of a deep ocean trench. This happens when the denser oceanic plate subducts, or sinks underneath, the lighter continental plate. As the oceanic plate descends into the mantle, it creates a trench that is often located at the edge of continents. The subduction process not only forms these trenches but can also lead to intense geological activity, including the potential for volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountain ranges.

This process contrasts with what occurs at other types of plate boundaries. For example, a mid-ocean ridge is associated with divergent boundaries where tectonic plates move apart. A volcanic island arc forms primarily as a result of oceanic-oceanic convergence rather than oceanic-continental convergence. A plateau is typically formed through processes like uplift and erosion and is not directly related to subduction between oceanic and continental plates. Each of these features represents different geological processes that occur at divergent, oceanic-oceanic, and continental-continental boundaries.