What geological feature is formed at a convergent plate boundary where one plate is forced below another?

At a convergent plate boundary, the interaction between tectonic plates often involves one plate being forced beneath another, a process known as subduction. This subduction process leads to the formation of a trench, a linear, steep-sided depression in the ocean floor.

As one tectonic plate—typically an oceanic plate, which is denser—moves beneath a lighter continental plate or another oceanic plate, it descends into the mantle, creating a trench where the two plates converge. These trenches are typically found in oceanic areas and can be quite deep, making them some of the deepest parts of the ocean.

The presence of trenches is associated with dramatic geological processes, including increased volcanic activity and the development of mountain ranges due to the collision and uplift of continental material. While features such as mountain ranges and volcanoes can arise from subduction-related processes, the trench itself specifically denotes the point where one plate is forced below another, distinguishing it as the characteristic feature of this boundary type.