Asked by Jordan Pollock on May 10, 2024
Verified
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
Laramide Orogeny
A period of mountain-building in western North America, roughly 80 to 55 million years ago, that created the Rocky Mountains and associated ranges.
Magmatism
Geological processes related to the formation, movement, and solidification of magma or molten rock beneath or at the Earth's surface.
East Pacific Rise
A Mid-Oceanic Ridge in the eastern Pacific Ocean associated with a divergent tectonic plate boundary where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity.
- Differentiate among various geological contexts and mechanisms contributing to the creation of distinct geological formations.
- Comprehend the mechanisms and results of the collision between continents, including mountain-building processes and their effects.
Verified Answer
SS
Sephora SaintGeorgesMay 16, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
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.
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate among various geological contexts and mechanisms contributing to the creation of distinct geological formations.
- Comprehend the mechanisms and results of the collision between continents, including mountain-building processes and their effects.