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Constructive and destructive boundary; Himalaya formation

Short answer

Constructive boundaries have plates moving apart with new crust creation; destructive boundaries converge, consuming or thickening crust. The Himalaya formed by India colliding with Eurasia, folding Tethys sediments along thrust faults; the range still rises at 4–5 cm per year.

Differentiate between constructive and destructive plate boundary. Write briefly on the formation of the Himalaya.

Constructive versus destructive boundary

BasisConstructive (divergent)Destructive (convergent)
MovementPlates move apartPlates move together
CrustNew crust createdCrust consumed or thickened
FeaturesMid-ocean ridge, rift valleyTrench, volcanoes, fold mountains
EarthquakesShallowShallow to deep
ExampleMid-Atlantic RidgeHimalaya, Andes

Formation of the Himalaya

The Indian plate separated from Gondwanaland and moved north across the Tethys Sea. Tethys oceanic crust was subducted under Eurasia. About 50 million years ago India collided with Eurasia. Because both are light continental crust, neither sank, so the thick Tethys sediments were folded, thrust and uplifted, forming the Himalaya along thrusts such as the MCT, MBT and MFT. The movement continues at about 4-5 cm per year, so the range still rises and has earthquakes.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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