What is the primary reason why mountains substantially taller than Mt.Everest are unlikely to arise on the Earth?
A) The high geothermal gradient in the crust causes mountains to collapse under their own weight.
B) Exhumation proceeds faster than uplift.
C) Extreme elevations cause chemical weathering to outpace uplift.
D) Uplift is limited by the rate of subduction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The high geothermal gradient in the crust causes mountains to collapse under their own weight. This is because the Earth's crust becomes warmer and more pliable at greater depths, which means that extremely tall mountains can't support their own weight and begin to spread out and collapse under the force of gravity.

What Is the Primary Reason Why Mountains Substantially Taller Than