A convergent boundary occurs when two plates are moving toward one another. When this occurs in the ocean, one plate slides beneath the other. Two things are likely to occur: a trench may be created or an underwater volcano may erupt creating an island. Convergent boundaries create mountains in two ways: through subduction, which occurs when the ocean floor slides under a landmass, and when two landmasses collide. An example of this would be the Himalayan Mountains, which formed from the convergence between the Indian-Australian plate and the Eurasian plate (Gosman, 2014).
Subduction was first discovered in 1964 by geologist, George Plafker. While trying to locate the fault that caused the historic 1964 earthquake in Alaska that measured 9.2 and is recorded as the second most powerful earthquake in recorded history, he instead discovered areas that rose and fell following the earthquake. We have come to know these areas as subduction zones. Plafker's discovery further explained the theory of plate tectonics and provided key information to scientists around the world (Wright, 2012).
To learn more about the discovery of subduction and George Plafker, watch the following video.
Subduction was first discovered in 1964 by geologist, George Plafker. While trying to locate the fault that caused the historic 1964 earthquake in Alaska that measured 9.2 and is recorded as the second most powerful earthquake in recorded history, he instead discovered areas that rose and fell following the earthquake. We have come to know these areas as subduction zones. Plafker's discovery further explained the theory of plate tectonics and provided key information to scientists around the world (Wright, 2012).
To learn more about the discovery of subduction and George Plafker, watch the following video.