With an example, describe what is meant by a destructive plate boundary and what feature (s) may form as a result.

A destructive plate boundary exists when a continental and oceanic plate boundary meet. The oceanic plate descends underneath the oceanic plate as it is denser.  The build-up of friction between the two plates results in the oceanic plate melting into liquid rock (magma). The pressure causes the magma to rise through faults in the continental plate and forms volcanoes. An example of a destructive plate boundary is where the Nazca plate is forced under the South American Plate.

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Answered by Michael H. Geography tutor

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