Question

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains were once among the tallest in the world, similar in altitude to the Himalayas of today. This would still be the case if not for the process of?

Answer 1

The Blue Ridge Mountains were significantly eroded over time, which is responsible for their reduction in height from peaks similar to the ancient Himalayas to the rolling hills observed today.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Blue Ridge Mountains were part of the ancient Appalachian Mountains which were formed by multiple tectonic collisions during the Paleozoic era. Over time, the Appalachians, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, have been significantly eroded, which has transformed them from towering peaks similar to today's Himalayas into the rolling hills seen today. Erosion is the process responsible for reducing the height of these mountains over millions of years.

Erosion is the process by which natural forces such as wind, rain, and temperature changes wear down or remove rock and soil. Plate tectonics plays a crucial role in the formation of mountain ranges, and in the case of the Blue Ridge Mountains, their Deformation occurred during the middle Paleozoic era due to these tectonic activities. While the Appalachian Mountains may not reach the impressive heights of the Himalayan range anymore, they still showcase the incredible geological history of our planet.