When two tectonic plates converge, particularly in a scenario involving either continental crust and oceanic crust or two oceanic plates, several geological features can form. By overlapping one graham cracker under the other, you've effectively modeled the interaction of these plates. Here are the geological features that may result from such plate movements:
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Subduction Zones: When one oceanic plate is pushed beneath another oceanic plate or a continental plate, a subduction zone forms. This is typically characterized by a trench at the point where the plates meet (similar to the narrow edge of your graham cracker).
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Ocean Trenches: The area where the oceanic plate descends into the mantle often creates deep ocean trenches. In your model, you might visualize a trench forming where the underside of one graham cracker meets the other.
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Volcanoes: As the subducted plate melts in the mantle, it can lead to magma formation. This magma can rise to the surface, resulting in volcanic activity. If one of the plates is oceanic and subducts beneath continental crust, it can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs.
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Mountain Ranges: When two continental plates converge, neither plate wants to be subducted due to their buoyancy, leading to the crumpling and uplift of the crust. This can create mountain ranges. Your graham cracker model could represent the initial stages of this uplift, with some cracking or folding occurring.
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Island Arcs: If both converging plates are oceanic, the result can be a chain of volcanic islands known as an island arc, as the subducting plate melts and creates magma that rises to form islands.
Record these features as they highlight the geological outcomes of converging plate movements in different scenarios.
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