Which type of mountain is not formed due to plate collision? A. Continent-continent B. Aleutian C. Andean D. Fault
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Fault.
Explanation:
Mountains form through various geological processes, often related to tectonic plate movements. Let’s break down the types mentioned:
- Continent-continent mountains (A)
These mountains form when two continental plates collide and push up the crust, creating large mountain ranges. A classic example is the Himalayas, formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. - Aleutian mountains (B)
These mountains form along a volcanic island arc caused by oceanic-continental plate subduction. The Aleutian Islands are a volcanic arc resulting from the Pacific Plate subducting beneath the North American Plate. This involves plate collision where one plate is forced under another. - Andean mountains (C)
The Andes are formed by the subduction of the oceanic Nazca Plate beneath the South American continental plate. This is another example of mountain formation due to plate collision and subduction processes. - Fault mountains (D)
Fault mountains form primarily due to faulting and fracturing of the Earth’s crust rather than the direct collision of tectonic plates. They arise from blocks of crust moving up or down along faults, creating ranges like the Sierra Nevada or the Basin and Range Province in the western USA. While faults are related to tectonic activity, fault mountains are not directly formed by plate collisions but rather by tensional forces or crustal stretching.
Summary:
- Plate collision generally involves two plates pushing against each other, creating folded and uplifted mountains (continent-continent, volcanic arcs from subduction zones).
- Fault mountains result from vertical displacement along faults caused by tensional or compressional forces but not necessarily from the direct collision of two plates.
Therefore, fault mountains are the type of mountains not formed due to plate collision.