Ask AI: what is the process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench and back into the mantle at a convergent plate boundary?

The process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench and back into the mantle at a convergent plate boundary is known as subduction. Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another, causing the oceanic plate to sink into the mantle in a process called subduction. Subduction zones are located at the boundaries of tectonic plates and are characterized by deep-ocean trenches and volcanic activity. As the oceanic plate sinks, it is heated and dragged down by the mantle, causing the overlying plate to rock up, creating a deep-ocean trench. This process also ultimately leads to the formation of mountain ranges at the surface.