How can the Appalachian Mountains be considered a collision-type mountain range when the nearest continent is 5000 kilometers 3000 miles away?

Answer 1

The Appalachian Mountains are considered a collision-type mountain range because they were formed by the collision of tectonic plates over geological time, particularly during the formation of Pangaea around 300 million years ago. While the nearest continent is currently thousands of kilometers away, the tectonic processes that created the Appalachians involved the convergence of landmasses that were once much closer together. The mountains' geological features and rock formations provide evidence of this ancient collision, showcasing the remnants of a past tectonic environment. Thus, their classification as collision-type mountains is based on historical geological processes rather than their current geographic proximity to other landmasses.