What type of boundaries are formed when plates come together?

When tectonic plates come together, they create convergent boundaries. This type of boundary is characterized by the movement of plates towards one another, which can result in one plate being forced beneath another in a process known as subduction. This interaction often leads to significant geological features such as mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic activity.

In convergent boundaries, the density of the plates plays a critical role; typically, an oceanic plate will be subducted beneath a continental plate because it is denser. The resulting pressure and friction can lead to powerful earthquakes. Additionally, as the subducted plate descends into the mantle, it can melt and contribute to volcanic activity in the overriding plate. Understanding convergent boundaries is essential in geology because they are pivotal sites for understanding plate interactions and the resulting features on Earth’s surface.

While subduction zones are associated with convergent boundaries, they refer specifically to the areas where the actual subduction occurs, rather than the broader category of interactions between converging plates.