Why is the North American Cordillera topographically higher than the Appalachians?
A)because the Appalachians have undergone less erosion
B)because the Cordillera formed by continent-continent collision
C)because the main orogeny in the Cordillera was more recent
D)because the spreading rate of the East Pacific Rise is greater than the spreading rate of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The main orogeny (mountain-building period) in the North American Cordillera was more recent than the orogeny that formed the Appalachians. More recent orogenic activity means less time for erosion to lower the mountains, resulting in higher topography.

Why Is the North American Cordillera Topographically Higher Than the Appalachians