What happens when oceanic crust collides with continental crust at a plate boundary?

A. The continental crust moves closer to the mantle.

B. The oceanic crust floats above the continental crust.

C. Some oceanic crust is consumed into the mantle.

D. Fresh oceanic crust is formed along the boundary line.

E. Ocean water changes the continental crust into oceanic crust.

Question

Biology

Nora Frost

6 September, 12:38

What happens when oceanic crust collides with continental crust at a plate boundary?

A. The continental crust moves closer to the mantle.

B. The oceanic crust floats above the continental crust.

C. Some oceanic crust is consumed into the mantle.

D. Fresh oceanic crust is formed along the boundary line.

E. Ocean water changes the continental crust into oceanic crust.

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Joy Cunningham · Answer 1

Oceanic crust tends to be denser and thinner than continental crust, so the denser oceanic crust gets bent and pulled under, or subducted, beneath the lighter and thicker continental crust. This forms what is called a subduction zone. The answer is B.