Which type of mountains is formed by compressional stress when two continental plates collide?

Which type of mountains is formed by compressional stress when two continental plates collide?

• A. Folded mountains
• B. Volcanic mountains
• C. Fault-block mountains
• D. Dome mountains

Answer: (A)

When continental crust is squeezed from opposite sides, the rocks respond by bending and folding rather than breaking into blocks. This compressional stress thickens and deforms the crust, creating folded mountain belts where layered rocks are buckled into anti­clines and synclines. Over long timescales, these folds can be greatly magnified, producing high, jagged ranges. The Himalayas are a classic example, formed as the Indian plate continues to collide with the Eurasian plate. Volcanic mountains come from magma erupting toward or onto the surface, building cones and lava flows, often at subduction zones or hotspots. Fault-block mountains form when the crust is stretched and fractures into blocks that move along faults. Dome mountains arise when magma pushes the crust upward from underneath, creating a rounded uplift. None of these involve the direct compressional folding of layered rock produced by continental collision.

When continental crust is squeezed from opposite sides, the rocks respond by bending and folding rather than breaking into blocks. This compressional stress thickens and deforms the crust, creating folded mountain belts where layered rocks are buckled into anti­clines and synclines. Over long timescales, these folds can be greatly magnified, producing high, jagged ranges. The Himalayas are a classic example, formed as the Indian plate continues to collide with the Eurasian plate.

Volcanic mountains come from magma erupting toward or onto the surface, building cones and lava flows, often at subduction zones or hotspots. Fault-block mountains form when the crust is stretched and fractures into blocks that move along faults. Dome mountains arise when magma pushes the crust upward from underneath, creating a rounded uplift. None of these involve the direct compressional folding of layered rock produced by continental collision.