The west coast of California is underlain by rocks that represent ________.
A)an ancient volcanic arc
B)an ancient Forearc Basin and accretionary wedge
C)a collisional orogenic belt
D)an oceanic plateau

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rocks under the west coast of California are part of an ancient Forearc Basin and accretionary wedge. This is because the region was once the location of a subduction zone where the oceanic plate was being forced beneath the North American plate. As a result, sediments and volcanic rocks accreted onto the continental margin, forming the accretionary wedge, while the Forearc Basin formed in the area behind the wedge.

The West Coast of California Is Underlain by Rocks That