Question

You see a mountain range that is made of tall, sharp, jagged peaks and there is no volcanic activity. What does this tell you?

1) It's impossible to classify a mountain range's age by looking at how sharp or dull the peaks are
2) The mountain range is very young (geologically speaking)
3) Two oceanic plates collided/converged at this spot and created these mountains
4) The mountain range is very old (geologically speaking)

Answer 1

The presence of tall, sharp, jagged peaks in a mountain range without volcanic activity suggests that the mountain range is geologically young, as these features are indicative of minimal erosion caused by water and ice, especially glaciers.Option 2 is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

When observing a mountain range that has tall, sharp, jagged peaks without volcanic activity, it indicates that the mountain range is geologically young. This assessment is derived from the understanding that the processes of erosion by water and ice, especially glacial erosion, sculpt and shape the mountains over time.

Older mountains tend to have smoother, more rounded peaks due to this prolonged erosion. The jagged nature of the peaks in such a young mountain range is a result of the erosion being relatively minimal, which has not yet had time to substantially smooth the landscape.

Thus, based on the information provided, the most accurate option among those listed would be: Option 2, indicating that the mountain range is very young (geologically speaking), as the sharp and jagged peaks are reflective of minimal erosion.

The fact about two oceanic plates colliding to form mountains does not directly relate to the sharpness of the peaks, nor does the lack of volcanic activity provide clear evidence regarding the age of the range.