| In some case the subducting plate will drag a continental lithosphere into the subduction zone triggering the collision of two continental margins, and the formation of a crustal accretionary prism.
This wedge develops a fan shape with folds, reverse faults and thrusts verging in opposite direction away from the axis of the mountain. It is the balance of forces, acting on the mountain belt, that dictated the outward migration of deformation.
As the crust growths thicker it resists deformation. In the meantime the gravitational force increases. Eventually the forces opposing convergence and thickening will balance the tectonic force that drives them. When this happens, deformation migrates towards adjacent areas and a high-plateau develop.
Collision zones are characterised by high-topography, metamorphic belt and felsic batholith extending parallel to the mountain belt, and deformed rock formations.
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