Continental plates are lighter (less dense) than oceanic plates.
When an oceanic plate and a continental plate collide, the oceanic plate is always subducted. Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates, and they have a higher iron content. Since they are denser, oceanic plates always sink below the continental plate in the event of a collision.
When a plate carrying continental crust converges with a plate carrying oceanic crust, the denser oceanic plate is typically subducted beneath the less dense continental plate. This can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs and deep ocean trenches.
Oceanic-continental: Oceanic plate is subducted beneath continental plate, creating volcanic arcs and mountain ranges. Oceanic-oceanic: One oceanic plate is subducted beneath another, forming deep ocean trenches and volcanic island arcs. Continental-continental: Collision of two continental plates, leading to intense folding and faulting, creating high mountain ranges.
Oceanic lithosphere is subducted under continental lithosphere at convergent plate boundaries. This process occurs when the denser oceanic plate sinks beneath the less dense continental plate, creating deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs. The subducted oceanic plate eventually melts and contributes to the formation of magma that leads to volcanic activity.
An oceanic plate being subducted under a continental plate.
An oceanic plate being subducted under a continental plate.
Oceanic lithosphere is denser than continental lithosphere, so it is more likely to be subducted during a collision. The downward force exerted by the dense oceanic plate causes it to sink beneath the less dense continental plate. Furthermore, oceanic lithosphere is typically thinner and more malleable, making it easier to be forced beneath the continental lithosphere.
When a continental plate moves over an oceanic plate, the denser oceanic plate is typically subducted beneath the continental plate. This process leads to the formation of a trench at the point of subduction and can result in volcanic activity as the subducted oceanic plate melts and causes magma to rise. The interaction between these two plates can also lead to earthquakes due to the stress and friction generated at their boundaries.
When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is subducted beneath the continental plate due to its weight. This subduction can lead to the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and seismic activity.
The Oceanic plate is subducted under the Continental plate because oceanic crust is much more dense than continental crust. The average density of the oceanic crust is 3g/cm^3 while the average density of continental crust is 2.7g/cm^3.
The crust is subducted and destroyed at convergent plate boundaries, where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate or another oceanic plate. In these zones, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the lighter continental crust into the mantle, leading to volcanic activity and the formation of deep ocean trenches. As the subducted material melts and is recycled, it contributes to geological processes such as magma formation and the creation of mountain ranges.
When oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere collide, the continental lithosphere may be obducted over the oceanic lithosphere or the oceanic lithosphere may be subducted under the continental lithosphere. The latter is thought to be more common. This subduction and obduction generally results in tectonic activity such as volcanoes and earthquakes.