Question

Identify hiw rifting and accretion change the shapes of the continents

Answer 1

Rifting and accretion can change the shapes of continents through processes like faulting, sediment deposition, and mountain formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of rifting and accretion can change the shapes of continents in several ways.

During rifting, the continental mass splits apart, forming new landmasses that start drifting away from each other. This creates a rift zone, and as the continents separate, grabens and half grabens are formed, resulting in the deposition of sediment in lacustrine deposits. Shallow-water seas can also form in the depressions caused by faulting. As the continents continue to drift apart, tectonic activity decreases and sediments accumulate in deeper marine environments.

Accretion, on the other hand, occurs when two continental masses collide. The pressure from the collision causes the rocks to buckle and fold, forming mountain ranges. The collision may also lead to the formation of foreland basins and shallow inland oceans.

Answer 2

When continents move apart, rifting occurs which produces cracks and new rock formations. Accretion occurs when faults strike each other forming layers of earth to stack on top of another. This creates mountains, hills and other land formations.