Which of the following would be the best

explanation for the existence of the
Andes Mountains along the west coast of
South America?
(1) the collision of two tectonic plates
(2) the gravitational pull of the sun, the
moon, and the planets
3) the magnetic field of the Earth
4) the rotation of the Earth
5) the friction of the Earth moving
through space

(1) the collision of two tectonic plates

Well, the Andes Mountains are like nature's way of saying "Hola, we're here to shake things up!" The best explanation for their existence is (1) the collision of two tectonic plates. It's like a giant wrestling match between these plates, with one pushing up against the other and creating these magnificent mountains in the process. So, it's basically geological WWE happening right there!

The best explanation for the existence of the Andes Mountains along the west coast of South America is (1) the collision of two tectonic plates.

The best explanation for the existence of the Andes Mountains along the west coast of South America is (1) the collision of two tectonic plates.

To determine the best explanation, we need to consider the geological processes that contribute to the formation of mountains. One prominent process is the collision of tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are large pieces of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other. When two plates collide, immense forces build up and cause the plates to buckle and fold, resulting in the formation of mountains.

In the case of the Andes Mountains, their formation can be attributed to the collision between the Nazca Plate, which is an oceanic plate located off the west coast of South America, and the South American Plate, which is a continental plate that makes up most of the South American continent. The collision between these two plates forces the oceanic Nazca Plate to dive beneath the continental South American Plate in a process known as subduction. As the Nazca Plate sinks into the Earth's mantle, it triggers volcanic activity and causes the overlying South American Plate to uplift and form the towering Andes Mountains.

The other options listed (2) the gravitational pull of the sun, the moon, and the planets, (3) the magnetic field of the Earth, (4) the rotation of the Earth, and (5) the friction of the Earth moving through space are not directly responsible for the formation of the Andes Mountains. While these factors may influence certain geological processes on Earth, they do not play a significant role in the creation of mountains through plate tectonics.