Question

In the diagram below depicting a boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate, an X marks one location on the continental plate. What geological feature is most likely to form at the location marked by the X?

Answer 1

At the location marked with an X on the continental plate, a volcanic mountain range or volcanic arc is the most likely to form due to the subduction of the oceanic crust beneath the continental crust.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, where an oceanic plate is converging with a continental plate, the location marked with an X on the continental plate is most likely to experience the formation of a volcanic mountain range or volcanic arc. This geological feature is due to a process known as subduction, where the denser oceanic crust is forced beneath the continental crust into the asthenosphere. As the subducted oceanic plate heats up, it melts and forms magma. This magma can rise through the overlying continental crust to form volcanoes, which may develop into a range of mountains parallel to the oceanic trench.

Notable examples of volcanic arcs include the Andes mountains in South America and the Cascade Range in North America. These areas are characterized by significant volcanic activity and are associated with the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate beneath the North American Plate, respectively. The geological activity as a result of these plate interactions can lead to the creation of trenches, earthquakes, and uplifted areas. Additionally, the subduction process recycles oceanic crust and contributes to the dynamic nature of Earth's lithosphere.