ASBOG Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Ace Your Geology Licensure!

Get more with Examzify Plus

Remove ads, unlock favorites, save progress, and access premium tools across devices.

FavoritesSave progressAd-free
From $9.99Learn more

1 / 400

How do tectonic plates interact at convergent boundaries?

They collide, leading to subduction, mountain building, or earthquakes

At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates interact primarily through collision, which results in various geological phenomena such as subduction, mountain building, and earthquakes. When two plates converge, one plate may be forced underneath another in a process known as subduction. This is common in oceanic-continental boundaries where the denser oceanic plate is pushed under the lighter continental plate, leading to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic activity.

In cases where two continental plates collide, neither plate is subducted to a significant extent, resulting instead in significant mountain building, such as the Himalayas formed from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Furthermore, the immense pressure and friction from the collision of the plates can lead to earthquakes as the plates become stuck and then suddenly release.

The other choices describe interactions that do not occur at convergent boundaries. Sliding past each other pertains to transform boundaries, separation refers to divergent boundaries where new crust is formed, and the idea of floating above each other without interaction does not accurately represent the dynamic interactions that occur at convergent boundaries.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

They slide past each other, causing minimal effects

They separate, leading to the formation of new oceanic crust

They float above each other without interaction

Next Question
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy