Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 14 - Section 14.4 - Collisional Mountain Belts - Concept Checks - Page 432: 4

Answer

The Appalachian Mountains can be considered a collision-type mountain range because they were formed through a series of ancient collisions between tectonic plates. The formation of the Appalachian Mountains involved multiple episodes of tectonic activity, including the collision of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea with Laurentia (a precursor of North America) during the late Paleozoic era. Although the nearest continent today may be thousands of kilometers away, the continents were in different positions during the time of their collision. The ancient supercontinent Pangaea included the landmass that would become North America (Laurentia) and other continents combined. The collision and convergence of these landmasses led to the formation of the Appalachian Mountains during the Paleozoic era. The mountains are a result of the compressional forces generated by the collision and subsequent tectonic processes. Over millions of years, erosion and other geological processes have modified the Appalachian Mountains, giving them their present appearance.

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