Question

question 8 (1 point)
click on slip, slide, and collide tab and then \see what happens at different plate boundaries\ at the bottom of the screen.
at a converging boundary, what occurs when an oceanic crust collides with a continental crust?

a the oceanic crust is denser and is pulled under, or subducted, beneath the continental crust.

b the continental crust is less dense and is pulled under, or subducted, beneath the oceanic crust.

c the continental crust is denser and is pulled under, or subducted, beneath the oceanic crust.

d the oceanic crust is less dense and is pulled under, or subducted, beneath the continental crust.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the properties of oceanic and continental crusts. Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. At a converging boundary, the denser crust (oceanic) subducts (is pulled under) the less - dense continental crust.

• Option a: States that oceanic crust is denser and subducts under continental crust. This matches the known geological facts.
• Option b: Continental crust is less dense, so it should not subduct under oceanic crust. This is incorrect.
• Option c: Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, so this statement about continental crust being denser is wrong.
• Option d: Oceanic crust is denser (not less dense) than continental crust, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

a. The oceanic crust is denser and is pulled under, or subducted, beneath the continental crust.