Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

Which landform is typically formed by tectonic plate collision?

1. A) Valley

2. B) Mountain range

3. C) Plateau

4. D) Canyon

The correct answer is: B) Mountain range

A mountain range is typically formed by the collision of tectonic plates, a process known as orogenesis. When two continental plates collide, they push the earth's crust upward, resulting in the formation of large, elevated landforms. This collision can create complex structures including multiple peaks, valleys between them, and can even lead to the development of fault lines. The Himalayas, for example, were formed as a direct result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. In contrast, while valleys, plateaus, and canyons may also be influenced by tectonic activity, they are not primarily the result of plate collisions. Valleys can form through erosion or sedimentation processes rather than direct tectonic uplift, plateaus are typically formed by volcanic activity or sediment accumulation, and canyons are usually created by erosion from rivers over extended periods of time.