When two continental masses come together, what is this process called?

When two continental masses converge, the process is referred to as collision. This interaction between continental plates leads to significant geological phenomena, primarily in the formation of mountain ranges. The continental crust is generally too buoyant to be subducted, which means that instead of one plate sliding beneath the other, they crumple and push against each other. This results in uplift and thickening of the crust, forming major geological features such as the Himalayas, which arose from the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.

In contrast, subduction involves an oceanic plate being forced beneath a continental plate, leading to volcanic activity and deep ocean trenches. Divergence is the process where tectonic plates move apart from each other, usually found at mid-ocean ridges, leading to the creation of new crust. Transform faulting refers to the lateral movement of tectonic plates sliding past each other horizontally, often causing earthquakes. Each of these other processes has distinct characteristics and outcomes, making collision the correct terminology for the convergence of two continental masses.