The Pacific Ranges were formed by
a. volcanic activity
b. recent glacier deposits
c. the collision of tectonic plates
d. the Great Divide
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The correct answer is c. the collision of tectonic plates.
To determine this, you can use basic knowledge of Earth's geological processes and the formation of mountain ranges. Here's how you can approach this question:
1. Start by eliminating the options that are less likely to be the correct answer: b. recent glacier deposits and d. the Great Divide.
- Recent glacier deposits are not responsible for the formation of mountain ranges. While glaciers can modify existing landforms, they do not create mountain ranges.
- The Great Divide refers to the continental divide in North America that separates the flow of water between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It does not directly explain the formation of mountain ranges.
2. Focus on the remaining options: a. volcanic activity and c. the collision of tectonic plates.
- Volcanic activity can indeed create mountains, but it typically leads to the formation of individual volcanic peaks rather than entire mountain ranges.
- The collision of tectonic plates is a common process that leads to the creation of mountain ranges. When two tectonic plates collide, their edges can fold, buckle, and uplift, resulting in the formation of extensive mountain ranges.
3. Based on this information, it becomes apparent that c. the collision of tectonic plates is the most likely answer.
Therefore, the correct answer is c. the collision of tectonic plates.