Consider the following statements :

1) Intense seismic activity occurs along convergent lithospheric plate boundaries.

2) Convergent lithospheric plate boundaries, oceanic plates are undergoing subduction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

The correct answer is Option 3 (Both 1 and 2).

Key Points

• Convergent plate boundaries are regions where two tectonic plates collide, resulting in intense geological activities like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain-building processes.
• At convergent boundaries, oceanic plates often undergo subduction, where the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath a lighter continental plate or another oceanic plate.
• Subduction zones are the primary sites for intense seismic activity because of the immense stress and friction caused by the downward movement of the oceanic plate.
• Major earthquake-prone regions like the Pacific Ring of Fire are located along convergent plate boundaries.

Additional Information

• Seismic Activity: Seismic activity refers to the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes experienced in a specific area. It is most intense at plate boundaries, especially convergent and transform boundaries, due to the movement of tectonic plates.
• Subduction Zones: These are regions where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle. Subduction zones are associated with deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and earthquakes.
• Divergent Plate Boundaries: Unlike convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries are where plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust, mid-ocean ridges, and less intense seismic activity.
• Transform Plate Boundaries: At transform boundaries, plates slide past each other horizontally, causing strike-slip faults and earthquakes. However, these regions do not involve subduction.