“Classic” plate tectonic settings and mountain building

• Divergent boundary – fault-block mountains (horsts and grabens)

Steens Mountain, Oregon

“Classic” plate tectonic settings and mountain building

• Divergent boundary – fault-block mountains (horsts and grabens)

• Collision (convergent) boundary – “fold-and-thrust” belts

Development of a fold and thrust belt mountain range

Note the asymmetry as one part of the fold overrides the other part. The low-angle reverse fault is called a thrust fault.

Wyoming foreland – Rockies

“Classic” plate tectonic settings and mountain building

• Divergent boundary – fault-block mountains (horsts and grabens)

• Collision (convergent) boundary – “fold-and-thrust” belts

• Subduction (convergent) boundary – volcanic arc mountains

Cascades volcanic arc

“Classic” plate tectonic settings and mountain building

• Divergent boundary – fault-block mountains (horsts and grabens)

• Collision (convergent) boundary – “fold-and-thrust” belts

• Subduction (convergent) boundary – volcanic arc mountains

• Transform boundaries are not associated with mountain-building

Origin of the Transverse Ranges

“Transpressional”

Origin of the Sierra Nevada

Relict subduction zone