Final answer:
Convergent plate margins are areas where lithospheric plates move toward each other and include oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, and continental-continental boundaries, each characterized by distinct geological features such as deep-sea trenches, volcanic arcs, and mountain ranges.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three main types of convergent plate margins where lithospheric plates move toward each other. The specific type of convergent boundary depends on the nature of the lithosphere involved: oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, or continental-continental.
- Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence: When two oceanic plates converge, one is usually subducted under the other, and in the process, a deep-sea trench and volcanic island arc system are formed.
- Oceanic-Continental Convergence: When an oceanic plate meets a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is subducted beneath the lighter continental plate, leading to the creation of volcanic mountain ranges along the continental edge.
- Continental-Continental Convergence: When two continental plates converge, they resist subduction, and instead, they crumple and fold, leading to the formation of high mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.