1. Subduction zone: When two oceanic plates converge, one plate is usually denser than the other. The denser plate will subduct or move beneath the less dense plate, forming a subduction zone. This process can create deep oceanic trenches and volcanic arcs.
2. Volcanic activity: As the subducted plate is pushed deeper into the mantle, it can melt and create magma. This magma can rise to the surface and form volcanic islands or mountain ranges.
3. Earthquakes: The collision of two oceanic plates can create intense pressure and stress in the crust, leading to frequent earthquakes along the convergent boundary.
4. Ophiolites: When oceanic crust is forced onto continental crust during a convergent boundary, pieces of oceanic crust may be uplifted and exposed on land. These pieces of oceanic crust are known as ophiolites.
5. Island arcs: In some cases, the subduction of one oceanic plate beneath another can lead to the formation of volcanic island arcs, such as the Aleutian Islands in Alaska or the Japanese archipelago.
What develops when two oceanic plates converge
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