At convergent boundaries, plates move toward each other. They can push together and cause mountain ranges to form. At other times, one plate gets pushed down beneath the other plate. ... At divergent boundaries, plates move apart from each other.

What causes convergent plates to move?

Heat within the asthenosphere creates convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move several centimeters per year relative to each other. ... If two tectonic plates collide, they form a convergent plate boundary. Usually, one of the converging plates will move beneath the other, a process known as subduction.

How does a convergent move?

Convergent (Colliding): This occurs when plates move towards each other and collide. When a continental plate meets an oceanic plate, the thinner, denser, and more flexible oceanic plate sinks beneath the thicker, more rigid continental plate. This is called subduction.