Question

Part D

Oceanic crust is dense compared to continental crust. At the boundary where the oceanic crust of the Nazca Plate collides
with the continental crust of the South American Plate, which plate sinks beneath the other? Justify your answer.
BIU x X₂ 15px
Space used (includes formatting): 0/15000

Answer 1

The oceanic crust sinks beneath the continental crust when the Nazca Plate collides with the South American Plate due to differences in density.

Step-by-step explanation:

At the boundary where the oceanic crust of the Nazca Plate collides with the continental crust of the South American Plate, the oceanic crust sinks beneath the continental crust. This occurs because the oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust. When the two plates meet, the denser oceanic crust subducts, or sinks, beneath the less dense continental crust.

An example of this can be seen in the formation of the Andes Mountains in South America. The Nazca Plate, which is oceanic crust, is colliding with the South American Plate, which is continental crust. As the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate, it causes the uplift of the crust and the formation of the mountain range.

Overall, the sinking of the oceanic crust beneath the continental crust is a result of the differences in density between the two types of crust.

Learn more about Plate Tectonics