Question

The Appalachian Mountains are a range of mountains that run from the Southeast all the way to Acadia National Park in Maine. The Appalachian Mountains are not, on average, as tall as the Rocky Mountains to the west. What BEST explains the difference in average peak height for these two mountain ranges? A) The Rocky Mountains are older and have had a longer time to form, reaching higher altitudes in height. B) The Appalachian Mountains are older and have been subjected to greater weathering and erosion, decreasing the height. C) The Appalachian Mountains have formed from minor volcanic eruptions while the Rocky Mountains formed from volcanic eruptions of greater magnitude. D) The Rocky Mountains have been subjected to longer periods of deposition by the Colorado River, adding geologic mass to the base of the mountain range. HELP

Answer 1

The correct explanation is that the Appalachian Mountains are older than the Rocky Mountains and have been subjected to greater weathering and erosion, reducing their peak heights.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Appalachian Mountains are older than the Rocky Mountains and have been exposed to weathering and erosion for a much longer period of time. The formation of the Appalachians involved multiple tectonic events such as the Taconic, Acadian, and Alleghenian orogenies and subsequent erosion that reduced their height over the millions of years. On contrast, the main growth of the Rockies happened later during the Laramide Orogeny and while also subjected to erosion, they have not been worn down as extensively as the Appalachians. Therefore, the best explanation for the difference in average peak height between the two mountain ranges is that the Appalachian Mountains are older and have been subjected to greater weathering and erosion, decreasing their height.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

B- The Appalachians have been subjected to more weathering and are much older than the Rockies