What tectonic event in the western U.S. caused magmatism and deformation to move farther into the continent during the late Mesozoic and early Cenozoic Laramide Orogeny?
A) the continent overran a hot spot
B) the continent overran the East Pacific Rise
C) continental extension stretched the continent to twice its original width
D) an oceanic plate subducted at a low angle beneath the continent

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Laramide Orogeny, which occurred from the Late Cretaceous to the Early Eocene, was characterized by the subduction of an oceanic plate beneath the North American continent at a low angle. This shallow-angle subduction is believed to have caused the unusual inland location of mountain building and magmatism associated with this orogeny, as it allowed these processes to occur much farther inland than is typical for subduction-related orogenies.

What Tectonic Event in the Western U