Final answer:
The correct orientation of the Rockies, Innuitian, and Appalachian Mountains is West, North, East, which matches option B. The Rockies are located in the western part of North America, the Innuitian mountains in the north, and the Appalachians in the east.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct orientation of the principal mountain chains in North America, namely the Rockies, the Innuitian Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains is West, North, East, which corresponds to option B) West, North, East. The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range extending from New Mexico in the United States to Northern Canada, suggesting a north-south orientation primarily in the western part of the continent. North of the Rockies and extending into the Arctic regions of Canada are the Innuitian Mountains, characterizing the northern edge of the continent's mountainous topography. Finally, the Appalachian Mountains stretch along the eastern United States in a southwest-northeast direction, bordered by the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which defines the eastern topography.
The topography of North America evolves significantly from the west coast to the east coast. The western portion features the Rockies and other north-south mountain ranges, while the eastern portion is defined by the ancient, rolling hills of the Appalachians. Between these two regions lies a vast expanse of plains, the Interior Lowlands, and the Great Plains, all situated within a continental climate known to become more arid as one moves from east to west.