The highest elevation mountain areas are underlain by the densest, strongest, and coldest crustal rocks.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The highest elevation mountain areas are not necessarily underlain by the densest rocks; in fact, mountain ranges such as the Himalayas or the Andes are underlain by relatively less dense crustal materials that have been uplifted due to tectonic processes. The concept of isostasy explains that lighter, less dense continental crust floats higher on the mantle than the denser oceanic crust, which is why mountains can reach high elevations without being underlain by the densest rocks.

The Highest Elevation Mountain Areas Are Underlain by the Densest