What is caused when plates collide into each other?

Answer 1

When plates are actually coming towards each other, there can be two different boundaries: collision and destructive boundaries. In a collision boundary, there are earthquakes, and fold mountains are created from the plates pushing up against each other, like the Himalayas. When there is a destructive boundary, like the Eurasian and Pacific plates, the oceanic plate slides underneath the continental plate, being destroyed and causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. There are two other types of boundaries: conservative, where plates slide past each other, and constructive, where plates move away from each other.

Answer 2

This all depends on what kind of crusts run into each other.

If the collision is Continental Crust and Continental Crust, then the likely result will be a mountain building event - usually folded mountains.

If the collision is between Oceanic Crust and Continental Crust, then the thinner and more dense Oceanic Crust will sink below the Continental crust forming a subduction zone, a deep-ocean trench, and a ridge of mountains along the side of the continent - often with volcanic activity from the rising magma that melts off of the oceanic crust and rises up through the crust due to its low density.

If the collision is between Oceanic Crust and Oceanic Crust, then one of the Oceanic crusts will likely subduct, creating another deep ocean trench. A line of volcanic mountains will normally form here as well, but because they are under the ocean, the mountains are not always visible. Sometimes the Oceanic Crust is uplifted and/or the volcanic mountains grow tall enough to stick out of the ocean and create an Island Arc.

I hope this helps!

~Mr. K

Answer 3

an earthquake occurs or the formation of mountains

Answer 4

They can collide and create mountain ranges (i.e, Himalayas) or the older plate will subduct under the other.