Final answer:
The Colorado Plateau is an example of mountains formed by uplift and erosion, rather than by folding and faulting. This region was raised during the Laramide Orogeny and is characterized by relatively undisturbed horizontal layers of sedimentary rock.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Colorado Plateau is an example of mountains formed not by the typical mechanisms of folding and faulting that create ranges like the Rockies or the Himalayas, but rather by a process known as uplift. The plateau consists mostly of horizontal sedimentary rocks that were uplifted during the Laramide Orogeny. This tectonic event caused large-scale movements in the Earth's crust, leading to the elevation of the Colorado Plateau relative to its surroundings. The erosion of these rock layers by rivers, most notably the Colorado River, has carved out spectacular canyons such as the Grand Canyon National Park.
These mountains differ from those in the Rocky Mountains, which were the result of low-angle subduction during the Laramide Orogeny. Notably, the Colorado Plateau has maintained a 'layer cake' appearance due to its relatively even uplift and limited deformation.
In summary, the Colorado Plateau represents a type of mountain formation characterized by uplift and subsequent erosion, rather than the more commonly recognized folding and faulting process.