Which of the following terms describes a geological process where plates collide?

The term that describes a geological process where plates collide is subduction. This process occurs when one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle as the plates converge. This often leads to the formation of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic activity. The collision of plates results in significant geological formations and is a key aspect of plate tectonics, shaping the Earth's surface.

In contrast, divergence refers to where tectonic plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust as magma rises to the surface. Faulting involves the fracturing of rock along a fault line caused by stress, which may not always involve the direct collision of plates. Transforming, or transform boundaries, involves plates sliding past one another horizontally, which does not fit the definition of colliding plates. Each of these processes plays a crucial role in geological activity but specifically, subduction is characterized by the collision of tectonic plates.