When strips of clay are pushed from opposite ends, they collide and buckle, causing the clay to compress and deform. This results in the clay becoming thicker in the middle and often forming folds or irregular shapes as it is pushed together
. This behavior simulates the collision of tectonic plates, where the Earth's lithosphere is compressed and forced upwards. If the clay strips represent the Earth's lithosphere, this collision and buckling correspond to the formation of mountain ranges. Additionally, such tectonic activity can also lead to other geological events such as shallow earthquakes and volcanic activity due to the stress and movement involved in the collision of plates
