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There was a "first stage" of geologic evolution that began the process of forming the Sierra Nevada mountains about 100 million years ago. But it took a lot more time for them to really develop and take the shape we see them in today. Some deep formations evolved in the beginning. Note that the Pacific plate and the North American plate form a boundary near this location, and as the Pacific plate subducts (goes beneath) the North American plate, there is tremendous heating of Pacific plate material below the western edge of the North American plate. The expansion of this material pushed up on the region, and set a "base" for the formation of this range. About 20 million years ago, there was a lot of vulcanism that set the stage for mountain forming. Then some 5 to 4 million years ago, there was more uplift, and also the "cutting away" of the sides of the string of mountains. There is a long history associated with the formation of these magnificent mountains, and by using the links below, you can begin to discover the story of their formation.
What else can I help you with?
What is the high mountains in the western US with a spanish name?
The Sierra Nevada mountain range in California is an example of high mountains in the western US with a Spanish name.
What are three main physical features?
Rocky mountains Appliation Mountains Sierra Nevada
Which mountains cross the 120 degrees west line of longitude?
The Andes mountain, now do your geography journal correctly!
Did John Fremont cross the Sierra Nevada?
John C. Fremont was the first one to cross the sierra Nevada in winter. It took about 5 hours for him to climb the mountain.
What city is closest to the Sierra Nevada?
The city of Reno in Nevada is closest to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
What type of mountain is is the Sierra Nevada mountains?
The sierra Nevada mountains are block mountains
Which is higher the Sierra Nevada or Ozark mountains?
It is Sierra Nevada.
Mountain range in California with spanish name?
Sierra Nevada mountains Sierra Nevada mountains
What kind of mountain range is the Sierra Nevada?
What type of mountains are predominant in the Sierra Nevada range
What is Nevada's main mountains?
sierra Nevada mountains and the Rockie's
Why is the Sierra Nevada named the Sierra Nevada?
snow-covered mountains
Is the sierra Nevada mountains in Nevada?
yes
Mountains lie between California and Nevada?
Sierra Nevada are the mountains that lie between California and Nevada.
In Which Western European country are the Nevada Mountains?
The Sierra Nevada mountains are in Spain.
Is Sierra Nevada a mountain in Antarctica?
No, the Sierra Nevada mountains are found in the United States, in California and in Nevada.
Why is the Nevada side of the Sierra Mountains a desert?
The Sierra Nevada mountains block moisture from the Pacific from crossing into Nevada, creating a rain shadow desert.
Is altitude sickness more prevalent in the Rockies or the Sierra Nevada mountains?
sierra Nevada
