Why do we study the Andes mountains?
So understanding the rise of the Andes helps geologists understand the stability of mountain ranges over time, says McQuarrie. One day, they will begin to collapse and sink back to lower elevations. But for now the heights of the Altiplano are a rare way for scientists to explore the depths of the planet, she says.
What are two important things about the Andes mountains?
The Andes is the source of the astounding Amazon River The mountains act as a wall which blocks frigid Pacific winds, and this has created the arid landscapes of the western side of the Andes (like the Atacama Desert) and the tropical lusciousness of the eastern slopes, like in the Amazon rainforest.
What is significant about the Andes mountain range?
The Andes are the world's longest continental mountain range, about 9,000 km in all. They lie as a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America, along that route, they cross through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia .
What are 3 facts about the Andes mountains?
- Fact 1: Formation of the Andes Mountains. …
- Fact 2: The Andes is the origin of the Amazon River. …
- Fact 3: The Andes cut across seven countries. …
- Fact 4: The Andes are a series of chains. …
- Fact 5: Sections of the mountains could erupt at any time. …
- Fact 6: The Andes is one of the world's leading potato and tomato producers.
Which of the following would be the best explanation for the existence of the Andes mountains along the west coast of South America?
The collision (or convergence) of two of these plates—the continental South American Plate and the oceanic Nazca Plate—gave rise to the orogenic (mountain-building) activity that produced the Andes.
How do the Andes affect the climate of South America?
The Andes have a direct mechanical influence on the climatology of South America by forcing orographic precipitation along the eastern flanks of the Andes, and blocking westerly flow from the Pacific.
What features does the Andes mountains have?
The Andes are studded with a number of volcanoes that form part of the Circum-Pacific chain known as the Ring of Fire. The Andes mountain system is the source of many rivers, including the Amazon and Pilcomayo. Mount Aconcagua, Argentina.
How do you describe the Andes mountains?
The Andes consist of a vast series of extremely high plateaus surmounted by even higher peaks that form an unbroken rampart over a distance of some 5,500 miles (8,900 kilometres)—from the southern tip of South America to the continent's northernmost coast on the Caribbean.
How was Andes Mountains formed for kids?
The Andes are a result of plate tectonics processes, caused by the subduction of oceanic crust beneath the South American continental plate. This means that two tectonic plates pushed together and one had to lie above the other, disrupting the Earth's surface. the Andes began to take their present form.
How did the Andes mountain range in South America form?
The Andes were formed by tectonic activity whereby earth is uplifted as one plate (oceanic crust) subducts under another plate (continental crust). To get such a high mountain chain in a subduction zone setting is unusual which adds to the importance of trying to figure out when and how it happened.
How does the Andes mountains affect climate?
Because the Andes act as a large wall between the Pacific Ocean and the continent, they have a tremendous impact on climate in the region. The northern part of the Andes is typically rainy and warm, and the weather is also wet in the eastern part of central Andes, and the area to the southwest.
How does the Andes mountains impact humans?
The Andes always have been a formidable barrier for communication, with great effect on the economic and cultural development of the region. Production centres generally are far from seaports, and the mountainous character of the land makes the construction and maintenance of railways and roads difficult and expensive.
What are two geographic features you find in the Andes mountains?
The Andes are studded with a number of volcanoes that form part of the Circum-Pacific chain known as the Ring of Fire. The Andes mountain system is the source of many rivers, including the Amazon and Pilcomayo.
What type of mountain is Andes?
The Andes are a Mesozoic–Tertiary orogenic belt of mountains along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of volcanic activity that encompasses the Pacific rim of the Americas as well as the Asia-Pacific region.
When were the Andes mountains formed?
The prevailing view is that the Andes became a mountain range between ten to six million years ago when a huge volume of rock dropped off the base of Earth's crust in response to over-thickening of the crust in this region.
What kind of mountains are the Andes?
The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (Spanish: Cordillera de los Andes) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America.
Which geographical process caused the Andes Mountains?
The Andes were formed by tectonic activity whereby earth is uplifted as one plate (oceanic crust) subducts under another plate (continental crust). To get such a high mountain chain in a subduction zone setting is unusual which adds to the importance of trying to figure out when and how it happened.
Which of the following would be the best explanation for the existence of the Andes Mountains along the west coast of South America?
The collision (or convergence) of two of these plates—the continental South American Plate and the oceanic Nazca Plate—gave rise to the orogenic (mountain-building) activity that produced the Andes.
Why are the Andes mountains important to the Amazon rainforest?
10 million years ago, the Andes Mountains rose up, reversed the Amazon River's course, and set the stage for the world's largest rainforest. Ever since, the mountains have continued to build the Amazon rainforest using rivers as their tools.
How do the Andes mountains affect the climate of South America?
The Andes have a direct mechanical influence on the climatology of South America by forcing orographic precipitation along the eastern flanks of the Andes, and blocking westerly flow from the Pacific.
What is the study of geography about?
Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth's surface and the human societies spread across it.
What is the Andes mountains in geography?
The Andes Mountains are a series of extremely high plateaus surmounted by even higher peaks that form an unbroken rampart over a distance of some 5,500 miles (8,900 kilometres)—from the southern tip of South America to the continent's northernmost coast on the Caribbean.
What are the physical geography of the Andes mountains?
Despite of its name is not all flat, it is actually made up of valleys, rivers beds', lakes and plains separated by relatively small mountain ranges. Its average altitude is 4,000m (13,120ft) with its lowest part at Uyuni saltflats 3,660m (12,005ft). and its highest part at Ulla Ulla plains 4,400m (14,432ft).
Which geographical process caused the Andes mountains?
The Andes were formed by tectonic activity whereby earth is uplifted as one plate (oceanic crust) subducts under another plate (continental crust). To get such a high mountain chain in a subduction zone setting is unusual which adds to the importance of trying to figure out when and how it happened.
What are the physical features of the Andes mountains?
There are hundreds of peaks more than 4,500 meters (15,000 feet) tall, many of which are volcanic. The highest peak in the Andes, Aconcagua, stands at 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) and straddles the Argentina-Chile border. Aconcagua is the tallest mountain outside Asia. High plateaus are also a feature of the Andes.
What formed the Andes mountains quizlet?
the Andes were formed from a plate that is subducting at a steep angle compared to the subduction zone that formed the Rocky Mountains.
Why do we study physical geography?
The study of physical Geography is essential for the sufficient allocation of the natural resources on the earth. It is essential for enabling human resolution as per the adjacent conditions and to be improved informed in order to protect our planet earth.
What are the importances of studying geography?
Geography helps students to understand the physical world, such as land, air, water, and ecology. It also helps them to understand human environments, such as societies and communities. This also includes economics, social and cultural issues, and sometimes morals and ethics.
What geographical process caused the Andes mountains?
The Andes were formed by tectonic activity whereby earth is uplifted as one plate (oceanic crust) subducts under another plate (continental crust). To get such a high mountain chain in a subduction zone setting is unusual which adds to the importance of trying to figure out when and how it happened.
What plate movement caused the Andes mountains?
The mountains have been formed as a result of the convergence of the Nazca plate and the South American plate. The heavier oceanic crust of the Nazca plate is pushed towards the South American plate, and because it is denser is subducted underneath.