What is the primary result of tectonic plate collisions?

The primary result of tectonic plate collisions is the creation of mountain ranges. When two tectonic plates converge, especially if one is continental and the other is also continental or a dense oceanic plate, the immense pressure and force exerted leads to the folding and uplifting of the Earth's crust. This process can give rise to significant geological features, such as mountain ranges. A well-known example of this is the Himalayas, which formed as a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

In contrast, the formation of new land, destruction of oceanic crust, and formation of valleys span different geological processes or result from different tectonic activities, such as divergent boundaries or erosion, and are not the direct primary consequence of plate collisions. Understanding the dynamics of how colliding plates interact provides insight into the ongoing evolution of Earth's surface and the formation of varied topographical features.