1. Subduction: The denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate due to the collision. This process is known as subduction. The oceanic plate sinks into the Earth's mantle, where it is heated and melted.
2. Formation of Volcanic Arcs: As the oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate, it partially melts and releases magma. This magma rises to the surface and forms a chain of volcanoes along the boundary between the two plates. These volcanoes are called volcanic arcs.
3. Mountain Building: The subduction of the oceanic plate beneath the continental plate causes the continental crust to thicken and deform, leading to the formation of mountain ranges. The collision and subsequent mountain-building process can create towering mountain systems like the Andes Mountains in South America or the Himalayas in Asia.
4. Earthquakes and Tsunamis: The collision between the two plates can generate intense seismic activity, causing earthquakes. Additionally, sudden movements during subduction or fault slips along the plate boundaries can trigger massive earthquakes and tsunamis, posing significant natural hazards to nearby coastal regions.
5. Oceanic Trenches: The subduction zone where the oceanic plate descends is often marked by a deep oceanic trench. Trenches are some of the deepest points on Earth's surface, with the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean being the deepest at approximately 11,000 meters.
6. Magma Generation and Igneous Activity: The melting of the subducting oceanic plate and the continental crust leads to the formation of magma. This magma can rise to the surface and result in volcanic eruptions or form intrusive igneous bodies such as plutons beneath the Earth's surface.
These processes shape the Earth's surface features and contribute to the dynamic nature of our planet.
