How does acretionary wedges form? - Answers

Accretionary wedges form at convergent tectonic plate boundaries, where an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental or another oceanic plate. As the subducting plate descends, sediments and materials on the ocean floor accumulate and are compressed against the overriding plate. This process results in the uplift and deformation of sediments, creating a wedge-shaped structure. The continuous addition of sediment and tectonic forces contributes to the growth and evolution of the accretionary wedge over time.