The Amazing Formation of Mountains

The Plate Tectonic theory explains the formation of Mountains because of folding, faulting, and Convergent Plate Boundaries. Folding is a fold in a layer of rock and is a type of deformation. This happens when the rock layers change shape. Faulting is when sections of the crust on earth move close to each other creating a fault. Lastly, the Convergent plate boundaries are when two plates move toward each other. This is how the Plate Tectonic Theory explains the formation of Mountains.

The Plate Tectonic Theory explains the formations of mountains because of the movement of the plates produce faulting and folding. This helps them form the beginnings of mountain ranges. Fault- block mountains form hen tensional stress fractures in the crust sit into blocks between the faults. For example, along the faults, the lithospheres pieces drop down compared to other pieces that are left standing that then form the fault-block mountains. Pressure from magma moving underneath the surface can move the Fault Blocks either up or down. Folding occurs when the layers of the rock bend because of stress. These bends are called folds. Scientists thought that all the rock layers started out horizontally on top of each other. Deformation is a fold, bend, or change in shape happens in rock layers. Folded mountains are when rock layers are squeezed together and pushed upward. Most folded mountains form at convergent boundaries where plates collide. Faulting and folding explain the formation of mountains because of their movement.

Plate Tectonics also explain the formation through a movement called Subduction. These plate tectonic are large scale movements on earths lithosphere. For example, when the two plates compress against each other they then sink underneath the other in a process called subduction. Even after two continent plates merge, their separate plates continue to push against each other. This deforms and then produces the core of a new mountain range. (Mountains book chapter). Volcanoes can form when an oceanic plate becomes thicker but less dense than the continental plate. An oceanic plate is a tectonic plate on the ocean floor. Then the continental plate is subducted then slides beneath it. The slab then melts when it enters the hot zone of the mantle and melted rock is pushed out of the volcano. After this process this forms a long chain at the edge of a continent. Subduction explains the formation of mountains because of when the two plates compress against each other and sink underneath the other.

Finally, the Plate Tectonic theory also explains the formation of mountains because of their movement. This movement is called convergent plate boundaries. Convergent plate boundaries occur when two plate collide together. Continent collusions can occur when subduction occurs at convergent plate boundaries. This is because the lithosphere collides causing them to thicken and then the mountain’s form. (Data base article) For example, from the data base article the text says “When continental plates converge, the rocks in the collision area are compressed, shattered, and folded. Although rocks in Earth's crust can bend and fold like warm toffee when placed under great pressure and heat for long periods of time (thousands to millions of years). As the plates continue to push into each other, the rock layers are folded into a wavelike series of high points and low points. Geologists call the upfold on a curve (the peak) the anticline and the trough like down fold the syncline. Since tectonic plates move only a few inches per year (about as fast as fingernails grow), the process forming folded mountains takes millions of years. Folded mountains stand high because the crust beneath them is thickened as the two plates pile on each other in the collision process.” This means that Continental Plate boundaries explain the formation of mountains.

Overall the Plate Tectonic Theory explains the formation of Mountains from folding, faulting, and continental plate boundaries. Folding is a fold in a layer of rock and is a type of deformation. This happens when the rock layers change shape. Faulting is when sections of the crust on earth move close to each other creating a fault. Lastly, the Convergent plate boundaries are when two plates move toward each other. Therefore, they explain the formation of mountains.