Final answer:
A volcanic mountain range is the most common geological feature that forms when oceanic and continental plates collide. This is caused by the process of subduction, where the denser oceanic plate is forced under the lighter continental plate, leading to volcanic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When oceanic plates collide with continental plates, the most common geological feature that arises is the formation of a volcanic mountain range. This is a result of a process known as subduction, where the oceanic plate, being denser, gets forced under the lighter continental plate. This process causes intense heat and pressure, melting the subducted plate and forming magma, which may rise to the surface creating a volcanic mountain range.
Such volcanic activity is a significant feature of subduction zones, for instance in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. In these regions, a significant number of volcanoes are formed due to the collision between the oceanic and continental plates.
Contrasting this with mid-ocean trenches or rift zones, these are typically formed when two oceanic plates pull apart, causing basaltic lava to rise from the mantle to fill the space between the receding plates. Therefore, trenches or rift zones are less likely to form when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate.
Learn more about Plate Tectonics