Mountain Building

Question 1

Explain how mountains can be formed in both convergent and divergent tectonic settings.

Answer 1

In DIVERGENT tectonic settings: MOUNTAIN BELTS can form due to CONTINENTAL RIFTS (when a continent stretches).
In COVERGENT tectonic settings: Mountain ranges can be formed due to SUBDUCTION (OCEANIC planet subducting underneath continental plate). OR ACCRETION (Excessive build-up of sediment).

Question 2

How does continental collision look like? (metamorphic rocks, suture, fold-thrust belts and undeformed rocks).

Answer 2

When two continental crusts collide, they DO NOT SUBDUCT under each other and form a SEPERATION and create LARGE MOUNTAIN RANGES.

Question 3

Describe various features: continental plateaus, fold-thrust belts, accretionary prism, cratons, etc.

Answer 3

CONTINENTAL PLATEAUS: Areas with HIGH ELEVATION compared to SEA LEVEL.
ACCRETIONARY PRISM: WEDGE in NON-SUBDUCTING PLATE that has SEDIMENT.
CRATONS: STRONG CRUST without OROGENY (collision) for long time.

Question 4

Explain the concept of isostasy. How does it explain why regions with thicker crust have higher elevation?

Answer 4

ISOSTASY: RISING or SINKING of LITHOSPHERE.

IF LITHOSPHERE CHANGES IN THICKNESS SO WILL ISOSTASY.