GED Social Studies TestGeography and the WorldMedium
A geographer is investigating a mountain range where two tectonic plates are colliding, causing the Earth's crust to fold and uplift. Which type of plate boundary is primarily responsible for the formation of this mountain range?
- AConvergent Boundary
- BTransform Boundary
- CSubduction Zone
- DDivergent Boundary
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Convergent Boundary
A convergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates collide. This collision can lead to the folding and uplifting of the Earth's crust, forming mountain ranges like the Himalayas.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Transform boundaries are where plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes but not mountain ranges from folding.
- C. A subduction zone is a specific type of convergent boundary where one plate slides under another, often forming volcanic arcs, but the general collision is the convergent boundary.
- D. Divergent boundaries are where plates move apart, creating new crust and rift valleys.
Convergent Plate Boundary
A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move toward each other and collide. This can result in subduction, mountain building, or volcanic activity.
- Plates move towards each other
- Causes crustal compression, folding, uplift
- Forms mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs
- Examples: Himalayas, Andes
Memory trick: Plates meet, mountains greet, convergent is the feat.