0
First: geologists look at the general shape of the mountain: Sharper peaked mountains are generally younger than rounded ones because erosion has had less time to wear them down (ie the Rockies are younger than the Appalachians).
Second: geologists look at what type of rock is exposed. Not only does this tell us something about when the formation began, it also gives us something to base our erosion estimation off of. Sandstone erodes faster than granite, so you could have a rounded mountain peak made of sandstone that was the same age as a sharp granite peak.
Third: geologists will consult with paleontologists and archaeologists to try to determine the age of the mountain based off of remains that may be present on the mountain. (If, for instance, we find fossil sea-shells, we know that the mountain formation has to fall within certain ranges).
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are people who study mountains called?
Geologists. They study solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change.
How do fossils help geologists?
Fossils help geologists discover new species. Fossils also explain and show the age of the specimen and change in life forms.
How does plate movement affect the formation of folded mountains?
geologists believe the force may be caused by the collision of lithospheric plates.......
What is the principle that helps geologists determine the age of rocks that are separated by distance?
original horizontality
How can rocks on high mountains have fossils?
The material on the mountains was not always up there. Mountains are generally created by what is called uplift. And places that were under water and then had remains laid down and fossilized can be uplifted through long periods of time to create mountains. The fossils are then found up there in the mountains. The geologic process is fairly well understood and modeled by geologists.
How geologists believe central America was formed?
climate and mountains
What aspect of mountain building did geologists have trouble explaining?
Geologists have trouble explaining how fold and fault-block mountains came into being.
What do geologists infer from the rounded eroded shapes of the Appalachian mountains?
bubble gum
Why some rock formations that are commonly called mountains are not really considered to be mountains by geologists.?
explain why some rock formations that are commonly called mountains are not really considered to be mountains by gealogist
How old is MT Everest?
The Himilayas are relatively young geographically speaking. Geologists estimate Everest's age to be 50-60 million years old.
What are people who study mountains called?
Geologists. They study solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change.
Why are index useful to geologists?
they tell the absoute age of rcoks which they occur
What type of sciences study tectonic plates?
Several things are studied by Earth scientists who specialize in tectonics. Plate boundaries, plate tectonics, boundaries, continental drift, mountains, and volcanoes are all studied.
How does a geologist determine absolute age?
Geologists determine absolute age of rocks by using radioactive dating.
How do fossils help geologists?
Fossils help geologists discover new species. Fossils also explain and show the age of the specimen and change in life forms.
How does plate movement affect the formation of folded mountains?
geologists believe the force may be caused by the collision of lithospheric plates.......
What is the principle that helps geologists determine the age of rocks that are separated by distance?
original horizontality
