Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

   
 

Convergent boundary

In plate tectonics, a convergent boundary (convergent fault boundary, convergent plate boundary, or active margin) is where two tectonic plates slide towards each other and usually collide forming either a subduction zone with its associated island arc or an orogenic belt and associated mountain range. When the two plates collide, one of the plates is pushed underneath the other (subduction). This then forms oceanic trenches in which the Earth's crust is recycled. There are three types of convergence: oceanic plate-continental plate convergence, oceanic plate-oceanic plate convergence, and continental-continental plate convergence.

Examples:

See also

Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04