Final answer:
Major mountain belts are located at convergent plate boundaries where two continental masses collide and raise mountain ranges. Higher elevations indicate older mountain belts due to weathering and erosion. Examples include the Himalayas, Appalachians, and Andes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major mountain belts are located primarily at convergent plate boundaries where two continental masses are moving on a collision course and pushing against each other under great pressure. This causes the Earth's crust to buckle and fold, raising mountain ranges to heights of many kilometers. For example, the Himalayas are located at the boundary between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
The Appalachians in North America and the Andes in South America are other examples of major mountain belts formed at convergent plate boundaries. These mountain ranges were created by the collision of different tectonic plates millions of years ago.
Mountain belts with higher elevations are generally older, as they have had more time for weathering and erosion to wear them down. Over time, the topography of mountain ranges slowly goes back to base level, resulting in lower elevations in older mountain belts.