The collision of two continental plates typically creates large folded mountain ranges , high plateaus , faulted crust , and strong earthquakes. It usually produces little or no volcanism because neither plate easily subducts beneath the other.

Main features

  • Fold mountains such as the Himalayas.
  • Crustal thickening from compression, folding, and faulting.
  • Broad plateaus formed by uplift, such as the Tibetan Plateau.
  • Frequent earthquakes along the collision zone.
  • Suture zones where the two continents are welded together after the ocean between them closes.

Quick scoop

In simple terms, when two continental plates crash, neither one sinks easily, so the crust gets crumpled upward and sideways instead of being swallowed into the mantle. That is why these collisions build some of the world’s tallest mountain belts.

TL;DR: continental collisions mainly form fold mountains, high plateaus, thickened crust, and earthquakes, not volcano chains.