The Cordillera of western North America formed as a result of
A)the collision of a large continental landmass with western North America.
B)the extension of the western North American continental crust.
C)the collision of numerous exotic terrains with western North America.
D)motion along the San Andreas Fault.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Cordillera of western North America, which includes mountain ranges such as the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada, and the Cascades, formed largely due to the collision of numerous exotic terrains with the western margin of North America. These exotic terrains, which are fragments of crust that have been accreted or sutured onto a larger landmass, were added to the continent over millions of years through the process of plate tectonics. This process has significantly shaped the geology and topography of the region.

The Cordillera of Western North America Formed as a Result