This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: How and where do mountains form? What will be an ideal ... (Read 35 times)

casperchen82

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 540
How and where do mountains form?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How does isostasy relate to active geologic processes?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

peter

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 330
Answer to Question 1

Answer: Most mountain belts form near convergent plate boundaries where crust thickens by compressional shortening and by intrusion and crystallization of magma. The high elevations in the western United States do not have a thick crustal root but are held up, instead, by unusually low-density mantle. Even as crustal thickening causes uplift of mountains, thrust faults weigh down adjacent lowlands to form deep basins. These basins fill with sediment eroded from the mountains and contain rich resources of oil, natural gas, and coal. Mountains rise vertically at rates of 3-10 millimeters per year, or only about one-tenth the speed of horizontal plate motion.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Isostatic adjustments to changes in crustal weight and thickness cause vertical motion of the crust. Compressional stress that shortens the crust also thickens it, causing isostatic uplift of the mountains. Tensional stress thins crust, causing isostatic subsidence of sedimentary basins. Isostasy causes crust beneath eroding mountains to rise slowly even though the overall elevations decrease, because the weight of the crust decreases as the mountains erode. The eroded sediment accumulated in sedimentary basins, causing subsidence. Slow flexural isostatic adjustment to changing weight is well documented by the patterns of recent and ongoing uplift and subsidence in eastern North America, which are attributed to glacial rebound. Isostatic movement of the crust causes movement along old faults, thereby accounting for earthquakes that occur far from plate boundaries.




casperchen82

  • Member
  • Posts: 540
Reply 2 on: Jul 16, 2018
Gracias!


emsimon14

  • Member
  • Posts: 344
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

 

Did you know?

Blood in the urine can be a sign of a kidney stone, glomerulonephritis, or other kidney problems.

Did you know?

The term pharmacology is derived from the Greek words pharmakon("claim, medicine, poison, or remedy") and logos ("study").

Did you know?

Always store hazardous household chemicals in their original containers out of reach of children. These include bleach, paint, strippers and products containing turpentine, garden chemicals, oven cleaners, fondue fuels, nail polish, and nail polish remover.

Did you know?

Blastomycosis is often misdiagnosed, resulting in tragic outcomes. It is caused by a fungus living in moist soil, in wooded areas of the United States and Canada. If inhaled, the fungus can cause mild breathing problems that may worsen and cause serious illness and even death.

Did you know?

Oliver Wendell Holmes is credited with introducing the words "anesthesia" and "anesthetic" into the English language in 1846.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library