Chapter 27, Problem 17RQ

To determine

Three type of plate collisions that occur at convergent boundaries.

Answer to Problem 17RQ

Three types of collision occur at convergent plate boundaries - ocean-oceanic convergence, oceanic continental convergence and continental-continental convergence.

Explanation of Solution

The first type of convergent plate boundary is oceanic-ocean convergence. In this convergence when two oceanic plates meet, the older plates, those are denser and cooler, slides below the younger plate. This phenomenon is known as the subduction and the region formed due to this is known as the subduction zone.

The second type of convergent plate is oceanic continental convergence. In this type of convergent the denser oceanic plate subducts beneath less dense continental plate forming offsore deep ocean trench.

The third type of convergent plate is continental-continental convergence. In this type two continental plates collide but forsubduction totake place since density of both plates are same. Compressible force makes the plates to break and fold up and making the crust very thick and due to the generated heat in this process metamorphic rocks mark the locations of continental-continental convergence.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the three types of collision occur at convergent plate boundaries are ocean-oceanic convergence, Oceanic continental convergence and continental-continental convergence.