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Which of the following geologic settings would most likely produce the greatest amount of rock

deformation?
1. a swamp
2. a convergent plate boundary
3. an interior region of a tectonic plate (e.g. the Midwest of the United States) that is far from any plate boundaries
4. the abyssal plain of the ocean
5. a divergent plate boundary

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

A convergent plate boundary is the geologic setting most likely to produce the greatest amount of rock deformation due to the intense pressure and tectonic forces from the colliding plates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The geologic setting most likely to produce the greatest amount of rock deformation is a convergent plate boundary. In convergent settings, the collision of two tectonic plates leads to substantial elevation changes and the creation of mountain belts, indicating significant tectonic activity including folding, faulting, and metamorphism. The other settings listed, such as a swamp, an interior region of a tectonic plate, the abyssal plain of the ocean, and a divergent plate boundary, generally show much less deformation. A convergent boundary often features complex stratigraphy reflecting intense geological forces, with a typical example including the formation of linear mountain belts that result from the suturing of colliding continental masses.



Areas such as the Midwest of the United States, which are far from plate boundaries, experience less tectonic activity, resulting in minimal rock deformation. Swamps and abyssal plains also lack the necessary tectonic forces for significant deformation. While divergent plate boundaries do experience tectonic activity, it is usually characterized by the creation of new crust and shallow geological features rather than intense deformation seen in convergent zones.

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