What occurs during the collision of oceanic and continental plates?

Question

1)New oceanic crust is created
2)The oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate
3)Continental plate melts to form magma
4)Both plates are equally lifted

Answer 1

During the collision of oceanic and continental plates, the following primarily occurs:

2) The oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate.

In this process, the denser oceanic plate tends to slide down into the mantle beneath the less dense continental plate. This subduction can lead to various geological phenomena, including the formation of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic activity.

While some melting of the continental plate can occur (which can lead to magma formation), the most prominent and direct characteristic of oceanic-continental plate interactions is the subduction of the oceanic plate.

The other options provided are not correct in the context of what occurs during this type of plate collision:

1. New oceanic crust is created mainly at mid-ocean ridges, not during subduction.
2. The melting of the continental plate does not occur to a significant extent, as the oceanic plate is the one that subducts.
3. Both plates are not equally lifted; typically, the continental plate is uplifted to some extent due to the subduction process, but the oceanic plate is being forced down into the mantle.