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Type of Mountain Ranges Formed at Convergent Plate Boundaries
Mountains form in different ways, but some of the tallest and most dramatic ranges are created at convergent plate boundaries. These are places where two of Earth’s tectonic plates push against each other. The collision forces rock layers upward, forming massive mountain chains over millions of years.
Fold Mountains: The Most Common Type
When two continental plates collide, neither plate can sink because continental crust is too light. Instead, the land crumples and folds upward, like pushing two rugs together on a floor. This creates tall, wide mountain ranges with many folded rock layers called "fold mountains." The Himalayas formed this way when the Indian Plate crashed into the Eurasian Plate. Mount Everest and other tall peaks continue to grow as this collision continues today. The Alps in Europe are another example of fold mountains.
Volcanic Mountains: When Oceanic Plates Sink
When an oceanic plate meets a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate sinks beneath the lighter continental plate in a process called subduction. As it descends, the oceanic plate melts. This creates magma that rises up through the continental plate, forming "volcanic mountains." The Andes in South America formed this way, creating a chain of active volcanoes. Mount St. Helens and Mount Fuji are famous examples of volcanic mountains.
Complex Ranges: Mixed Features
Some mountain ranges, like the Alps, have both folded and volcanic features. This happens when multiple types of plate movements occur over time.
Convergent boundaries create Earth’s most impressive mountains through folding, volcanic activity, or both. These towering landforms remind us of the powerful forces shaping our planet.
At which type of plate boundary do mountains form according to the passage?
Divergent boundariesConvergent boundariesTransform boundariesPassive boundariesWhy can't continental plates sink when they collide?
They are too thickThey move too quicklyContinental crust is too lightThey are protected by the mantleWhich mountain range is given as an example of fold mountains?
The AndesMount St. HelensThe HimalayasMount FujiAccording to the passage, what happens during subduction?
Continental plates fold upwardA denser oceanic plate sinks beneath a lighter plateTwo plates slide past each otherMountains erode over timeWhat is the main purpose of this passage?
To explain how volcanoes eruptTo describe different types of mountains formed at convergent boundariesTo compare continental and oceanic platesTo explain why Mount Everest is the tallest mountainWhich statement best summarizes the key concept about complex ranges?
They only form in EuropeThey are taller than other mountain typesThey have both folded and volcanic featuresThey never have active volcanoesIn the context of the passage, what does "convergent" mean?
Moving away from each otherMoving toward each otherMoving side by sideNot moving at allThe word "subduction" in the passage refers to:
A process where one plate sinks beneath anotherThe crumpling of continental platesThe formation of magma chambersThe erosion of mountain peaks
