Andes Mountains Week 5
This week I went to go visit one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the whole world called Andes Mountains. If it was not for oceanic and continental crusts these mountains would be nonexistent. There are three different types of converging plates but for this visit I will be focusing on the relationship between oceanic and continental crust. One thing that occurs is oceanic rock or crust will always go below the continental crust because it is denser. On top of that, when an oceanic plate and continental plate collide there is a three-step process which ultimately formed the Andes Mountains in South America. The first step is when subduction occurs, and the oceanic plate goes underneath the continental crust earthquakes and volcano eruptions are likely to occur. For this situation with the Andes Mountains volcanos erupted and the magma chambers were ignited. This occurs when water is driven from the subduction oceanic plate that could possibly trigger volcanos. The third step is what I call the aftermath, and this is when subduction ends, and the molten rock crystalizes into what we all call mountains. This is essentially the step by step process on how the Andes Mountain range formed and what caused the mountains to be built. The picture below does a great job illustrating the oceanic crust on both sides of the continental crust. As you see the left crust sinks below the continental crust to create the Andes volcanic arc. The world is truly an incredible place especially visiting the Andes Mountains which is the longest mountain range. The view is simply amazing and one of the most fascinating locations I have visited so far.
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