Final answer:
Mountain ranges at the edges of continents indicate that they were formed by the collision of continental plates, which supports the theory of plate tectonics. This theory explains the movement of Earth's plates and the associated geological activity, in contrast to other outdated hypotheses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appearance of mountain ranges on the edges of continents supports the theory that mountain ranges were formed as a result of continental collisions. This phenomenon explains why ranges like the Alps exist due to the collision of the African and Eurasian plates. The theory of plate tectonics, which encompasses concepts like continental drift and mountain formation due to plate interactions, supports the idea that such land features develop due to the movement and collision of the Earth's tectonic plates.
Plate tectonics is the accepted scientific theory that explains the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates and accounts for the occurrence of earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountain ranges. The theory has evolved since Alfred Wegener's initial hypothesis of continental drift, and it provides a comprehensive explanation for numerous geological phenomena, including the configuration and development of mountain ranges.