Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What geological process occurs at convergent boundaries of tectonic plates?

1. Rifting

2. Subduction

3. Transform faulting

4. Spreading

The correct answer is: Subduction

At convergent boundaries of tectonic plates, subduction is the primary geological process that occurs. During subduction, one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle due to gravitational forces. This process typically involves an oceanic plate being forced beneath a continental plate or another oceanic plate. Subduction zones are often associated with the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and mountain ranges as the stress and pressure from the converging plates lead to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity. The melting of the subducted plate can result in magma rising to the surface, fueling volcanic eruptions. This process is essential in recycling the Earth's materials back into the mantle and plays a vital role in the global tectonic cycle, influencing the Earth's surface dynamically through geological time.