Convergent Boundaries
What is a
Convergent Boundary?
Convergent
Boundaries is when two plates collide and are destroyed. Once the crust is
destroyed it is ³recycled² back into the Earth. The collisions may take millions
of years since the plates move only a few centimeters yearly.
What Happens
Once They Meet?
Once the Plates meet they
may do two things. The first is if they are of equal density they may fold up
and cause a mountain chain. The second is if one plate has greater density than
the other, the plate that has the lighter density will be pushed downward and
cause a trench.
Then What Happens?
The smaller pieces of the
plate may become stuck together and when they start to shift years later it may
cause an earthquake or tsunami.
Types of Convergent
Boundaries
There are three types of
convergent boundaries: Ocean-ocean, Ocean-continent, and Continent-continent.
What Does this Have to do
with Earth?
Ever since
the beginning of Earth 4.6 billion years ago the Earth and the Earth¹s shape
has not changed much. This suggests that the Earth¹s crust is destroyed at
about the same pace as it is created.
For More Information
http://education.sdsc.edu/optiputer/teachers/platemovement.html
http://geology.com/nsta/convergent-plate-boundaries.shtml