Which boundary forms where plates push together and mountain ranges, island arcs, and trenches form?

Prepare for the IB Marine Science SL Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Master marine ecosystems, ocean currents, and biological resources for success!

Multiple Choice

Which boundary forms where plates push together and mountain ranges, island arcs, and trenches form?

Explanation:
Collisions between tectonic plates create compressional boundaries. When two continental plates push toward each other, the rock is squeezed upward to form mountain ranges. If an oceanic plate is involved, it is forced beneath the adjacent plate in a process called subduction, generating a deep trench at the boundary. The subducted slab melts and magma rises, producing volcanoes that can form island arcs on the overlying plate. Divergent boundaries involve plates pulling apart, which builds up ridges and rift valleys rather than mountains. Crust and density are properties, not boundary types. So the situation described corresponds to a convergent plate boundary.

Collisions between tectonic plates create compressional boundaries. When two continental plates push toward each other, the rock is squeezed upward to form mountain ranges. If an oceanic plate is involved, it is forced beneath the adjacent plate in a process called subduction, generating a deep trench at the boundary. The subducted slab melts and magma rises, producing volcanoes that can form island arcs on the overlying plate. Divergent boundaries involve plates pulling apart, which builds up ridges and rift valleys rather than mountains. Crust and density are properties, not boundary types. So the situation described corresponds to a convergent plate boundary.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy