Question

Why are mountain ranges favorable geological environments for bringing deeply formed metamorphic rocks to the Earth's surface?

1) the high topographic relief of mountain ranges promotes weathering and erosion, removing the rock overlying deep metamorphic rocks
2) the vise-like action at convergent plate boundaries where most mountain ranges form squeezes deep metamorphic rocks up to the Earth's surface
3) rocks at the base of mountain ranges become ductile, causing the mountain range to collapse and spread, bringing deep metamorphic rocks closer to the Earth's surface
4) all of the above
5) none of the above

Answer 1

Mountain ranges favor the exposure of deep metamorphic rocks due to weathering and erosion from high relief, the squeezing effect at convergent plate boundaries, and the ductility of base rocks causing mountain spreading and collapse.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mountain ranges are conducive geological environments for bringing deeply formed metamorphic rocks to the Earth's surface due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the high topographic relief of mountain ranges promotes weathering and erosion, which gradually removes the rock that overlies deep metamorphic rocks. Secondly, the 'vise-like' action at convergent plate boundaries, where most mountain ranges form, drives these deep metamorphic rocks up to the surface. Lastly, rocks at the base of mountain ranges may become ductile, resulting in the spreading and collapse of the mountain range, thus aiding the process of bringing deep metamorphic rocks closer to the Earth's surface. Therefore, the correct answer is 4) all of the above.