Question

The two main types of lithospheric plates are oceanic plates and continental plates. What happens along a convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate?
A.
The two plates push against each other, producing a fault-block mountain.

B.
Pressure builds up, causing earthquakes to occur in the middle of the ocean.

C.
The oceanic plate is subducted beneath the continental plate, forming a subduction zone.

D.
The continental plate is subducted beneath the oceanic plate, forming a subduction zone.

Answer 1

C. The oceanic plate is subducted beneath the continental plate, forming a subduction zone.

Explanation: oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, so at an oceanic‑continental convergent boundary the oceanic plate sinks beneath the continental plate, producing a trench, earthquakes, and volcanic arcs on the continent.