Convergent Plate Boundaries
Convergent plate boundaries occur where two tectonic plates move towards each other. Depending on the type of crust involved, different outcomes occur: oceanic-oceanic subduction creates island arcs; oceanic-continental subduction creates volcanic mountain ranges; and continental-continental collision creates fold mountains.
Real World
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan occurred where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate, releasing a magnitude 9.1 earthquake that killed over 18,000 people.
Exam Focus
Always specify the type of convergence (oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, continental-continental) and link it to the landform produced.
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