Question

Using the Wilson cycle, very briefly (a sentence or two) explain the formation of mountain ranges such as the Appalachians and the Urals. In what ways do mountains like these provide evidence for reconstructing the ancient history of plate motions

Answer 1

According to the Wilson cycle, the plate motion takes place continuously as a result of which the divergent motion of the continental plates results in the formation of the rift valley and oceans. These continuous divergent motion of continental plates results in the convergent of continental plates at some other places, which give rise to the formation of the large mountain and mountain ranges.

These Mountain ranges are the large geological landforms that are constructed due to the convergent motion of two continental tectonic plates.

For example, the Appalachians were formed due to the collision of the North American and the North African plate, about 480 million years back, which are now separated by the Atlantic ocean

The mountain belt of Urals was formed due to the collision of the eastern European and Kazakhstan continent that occurred from the late Paleozoic time to the early Triassic age.