The rigid lithospheric slabs are known as ‘Plates’. What would be the result, if the oceanic plate collides with the continental plate? 1. Oceanic plate is forced below the continental plate 2. Continental plate is forced below the oceanic plate 3. Continental and oceanic plates never collide Select the correct answer using the code given below :

When an oceanic plate and a continental plate collide, the oceanic plate is forced below the continental plate [2]. This process, known as subduction, occurs because oceanic lithosphere is denser than continental lithosphere [1]. The denser oceanic plate sinks into the softer asthenosphere, creating a deep-sea trench along the boundary [2]. A classic example of this interaction is the subduction of the oceanic Nazca Plate beneath the continental South American Plate, which has resulted in the formation of the Peru-Chile Trench and the uplift of the Andes Mountains [3]. Conversely, the continental plate, being less dense and composed of lighter minerals, remains on the surface and is often deformed or lifted during the collision [1]. Therefore, statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is false as these plates frequently collide at convergent boundaries [2].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 8: Convergent Boundary > 8.2. Continent-Ocean (C-O) Convergence or The Cordilleran Convergence > p. 116
2. [2] https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html
3. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 8: Convergent Boundary > Formation of The Andes > p. 118