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Correct Answer: a vast mountain range as edges become crumpled, folded, and uplifted.
when two continental plates converge at a boundary, they move towards each other, leading to intense geological activity. this type of boundary is known as a convergent boundary. as the edges of these plates collide, neither plate is subducted because both have relatively similar densities and buoyancy. instead, the collision results in the material at the boundary being compressed and forced upwards.
this upward movement of the earth's crust creates a vast mountain range. the process involves the crumpling, folding, and uplifting of the earth's surface, leading to the formation of some of the world's highest mountain peaks. for example, the himalayan mountain range in asia, including mount everest, was formed by the collision of the indian and eurasian plates.
this scenario is distinct from other types of plate boundaries and their associated geological features. for instance, fault lines that move horizontally past each other characterize transform boundaries, like the san andreas fault in california. here, the plates slide past each other without significant vertical movement, leading to frequent earthquakes but not mountain building.
similarly, a widening depression called a rift valley forms at divergent boundaries where two tectonic plates move apart. the great rift valley in eastern africa is a classic example of this, where the african plate is splitting into two smaller plates, pulling away from each other and causing the crust to thin and sink.
lastly, a line of coastal volcanoes typically forms at convergent boundaries involving an oceanic and a continental plate. in such settings, the denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the lighter continental plate, leading to melting and the rise of magma, which forms volcanoes. the andes mountains in south america are a result of this type of boundary.
therefore, the answer that describes the formation of a vast mountain range due to the crumpling, folding, and uplift of the edges of colliding continental plates correctly identifies the geological outcome at a convergent boundary between two continental plates. the other options describe phenomena associated with different types of plate boundaries.
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