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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.

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Why is the oceanic plate subducted when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

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.


What occurs when a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate and overtakesit?

subduction


What does the ocean plate do when it collides with continental plates?

When the oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, it is typically subducted underneath the continental plate due to its higher density. This subduction process can lead to the formation of deep oceanic trenches and volcanic arcs on the overriding continental plate. It also contributes to the recycling of oceanic crust back into the mantle.


When does a plate carrying continental crust converges with a plate carrying oceanic crust?

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.


What happens when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate and sinks?

When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the continental plate in a process called subduction. This creates a deep oceanic trench. As the oceanic plate sinks, it heats up, melts, and forms magma that rises to the surface, leading to volcanic activity.

Related Questions

When an ocean plate collides with a continental plate it does what?

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.


What happens with a plate of oceanic crust collides with a plate of continental crust?

The oceanic plate is made of denser (and thinner) rock than the continental crust, so the oceanic plate gets subducted (pushed underneath) where it descends and gets melted by geothermal heat.


What happens when a plate of oceanic crust collides with a plate of oceanic crust?

The oceanic plate is made of denser (and thinner) rock than the continental crust, so the oceanic plate gets subducted (pushed underneath) where it descends and gets melted by geothermal heat.


Why is the oceanic plate subducted when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

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.


Why is an oceanic plate always subducted but not a continental plate?

Continental plates are lighter (less dense) than oceanic plates.


What forms when a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate?

it forms a trench


What occurs when a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate and overtakesit?

subduction


What does the ocean plate do when it collides with continental plates?

When the oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, it is typically subducted underneath the continental plate due to its higher density. This subduction process can lead to the formation of deep oceanic trenches and volcanic arcs on the overriding continental plate. It also contributes to the recycling of oceanic crust back into the mantle.


What occures when a continental and oceanic plate collide?

At some convergent boundaries, an oceanic plate collides with acontinental plate. Oceanic crust tends to be denser and thinner thancontinentalcrust, so the denser oceanic crust gets bent and pulled under, or subducted, beneath the lighter and thicker continental crust. This forms what is called a subduction zone.


What occurs when a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate and overtakes it?

When a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate and overtakes it, the denser oceanic plate is forced underneath the continental plate in a process called subduction. This creates a deep ocean trench, volcanic arcs, and earthquakes along the boundary between the two plates. The subduction process can also lead to the formation of mountain ranges on the overriding continental plate.


What occurs when sea plates collide with continental plates?

When a oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is usually subducted beneath the lighter continental plate. This can result in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep ocean trenches. The collision can also lead to earthquakes and the release of magma.


When does a plate carrying continental crust converges with a plate carrying oceanic crust?

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.