Question

during the process of mountain building, earthquakes sometimes occur along continental-continental convergent boundaries. which statement best describes the motion of the plates along these boundaries that causes the earthquakes?
○ the plates push apart from each other with no subduction.
○ subduction occurs with the less-dense plate sinking below the other plate.
○ subduction occurs with the more-dense plate sinking below the other plate.
○ the plates smash together with no subduction.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: Plates pushing apart is a divergent boundary, not continental - continental convergent, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust. In continental - continental convergent boundaries, subduction of a less - dense plate (continental) does not occur because both plates are relatively low - density continental crusts. So this is incorrect.
3. Analyze the third option: Similar to the second option, in continental - continental convergence, subduction of a more - dense plate is not applicable as both are continental (low - density) crusts. So this is incorrect.
4. Analyze the fourth option: At continental - continental convergent boundaries, the two continental plates collide (smash together) and since both are low - density, neither subducts. This matches the process of mountain building (like the formation of the Himalayas) and the occurrence of earthquakes due to the collision.

Answer:

D. The plates smash together with no subduction.