Convergent Boundary: a major geologic discontinuity or suture making the juncture of lithospheric plates that have been joined by plate tectonics.
Example: The collision between the Eurasian Plate and the Indian Plate that is forming the Himalayas
Example: The collision between the Eurasian Plate and the Indian Plate that is forming the Himalayas
Subduction Zone: the process by which collision of the earth's crustal plates results in one plate's being drawn down or overridden by another, localized along the juncture of two plates.
Example: the Mariannas Trench in the Pacific Ocean
Example: the Mariannas Trench in the Pacific Ocean
Orogenesis: The process of mountain formation, especially by a folding and faulting of the earth's crust.
Example: Himalayan Orogeny
Example: Himalayan Orogeny
Continental Volcanic Arc: a chain of volcanoes positioned in an arc shape as seen from above. It is formed when the oceanic crust is forced beneath the continental crust on an adjacent plate, creating an arc-shaped mountain belt.
Example: the Cascade Volcanic Arc in western North America and the Andes along the western edge of South America.
Example: the Cascade Volcanic Arc in western North America and the Andes along the western edge of South America.
Volcanic Island Arc: a progressively older series of islands caused by volcanic action.
Example: the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean and the Lesser Antilles in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Example: the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean and the Lesser Antilles in the western Atlantic Ocean.