Final answer:
The Appalachians and Himalayas are mountain ranges formed by tectonic activities. The Himalayas are the world's highest range with ongoing geological growth, while the Appalachians are an older, heavily eroded range in the Southeastern United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Appalachians and the Himalayas are significant land features known as mountain ranges. The Himalayas, creating a natural boundary separating India and China, are the product of tectonic activities whereby the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate. This colossal geographic feature has profoundly shaped the region's physical geography, climate, and culture. One notable peak of the Himalayas is Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 29,035 feet. These mountains are continuing to increase in elevation due to the ongoing pressure from the tectonic plates.
The Appalachian Mountains, located in the Southeastern United States, formed from multiple collisions with island chains and Gondwana during Pangaea's formation in the Paleozoic era. They consist of several physiographic provinces, including the Valley and Ridge Province and the Blue Ridge Province, formed from a mix of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Over time, erosion has softened their appearance, compared to the still rising Himalayas.