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As the North American tectonic plate pushes west into the Pacific and Juan de Fuca plates, the boundaries converge, pushing the land higher and higher. Where the rivers move west on one side and east on the other, there lies the continental divide

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12y ago
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1w ago

The continental divide was formed over millions of years due to tectonic plate movements and volcanic activity. It is a geographic feature that determines the direction of river flow on a continent, with water to one side flowing towards one ocean or sea, and water to the other side flowing towards a different ocean or sea. The divide runs along the high points of mountain ranges, influencing the drainage patterns of vast regions.

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9y ago

The continental divide is a ridge along the highest part of the Rocky Mountains. When the Rocky Mountains formed, the ridge formed with it. The Rockies formed as a result of pressure between the Pacific Plate and the North American plate, which pushed up and folded the land, which is now the Rocky Mountains.

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Q: How did the continental divide form?
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Related questions

Do the Great Lakes form a continental divide?

The Great Lakes are part of the St. Lawrence water system. It is not part of the Great Continental Divide.


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When rain falls on the continental divide.


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On which land-form does the Continental Divide run?

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Why is the Continental Divide is important?

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What is the dividing line between atlantic and pacific watersheds?

Continental Divide is the drainage that divides sea or ocean. The Great Divide or the Continental Divide of the Americas is the division of the Pacific Ocean watersheds from the Atlantic and Arctic.


What in The rockies determines the direction that rivers flow?

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When was The Continental Divide - album - created?

The Continental Divide - album - was created in 2009.


What was formed by the Rocky Mountains and separates rivers flowing east and west in North America?

The Continental divide is located in the rocky Mountains and when you travel east to west or west to east you will see a sign in the rocky Mountains that says "you have reached the Continental divide".


What are the west rivers of the continental divide?

The Columbia and the Colorado, are both west of the Continental Divide.