What happens at a destructive plate boundary where two oceanic plates converge (come together)?

Two oceanic plates are converging and the faster moving or slightly denser one subducts. The basaltic rock of the subducted plate starts to melt and rises through the mantle to form a submarine volcano. Overtime, the submarine volcano builds up in layers and can eventually break through the surface of the ocean to become a volcanic island. An example of this is Guam, the US territory on the western side of the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Plate is being subducted beneath the smaller Philippine Plate.  

Answered by Geography tutor

5800 Views

See similar Geography A Level tutors

Related Geography A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the formation of a meander


What are the main process of erosion that take place in rivers?


Assess the extent to which China is a threat to the USA's status as the only current superpower.


Sustainable approaches to coastal management will become more important than traditional approaches in dealing with the impacts of climate change.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning