How were the major mountain belts of the world produced?
Answer Details
The major mountain belts of the world were produced by a geological process known as "folding". Over millions of years, immense pressure from tectonic plates caused rocks in the Earth's crust to buckle and fold, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges. This process is often associated with the collision of two tectonic plates, which can create enormous forces that push and compress rocks together, causing them to fold and uplift into mountains.
Unlike weathering or wind erosion, which wear down and erode mountains over time, folding is a constructive process that builds mountains up. While rivers and other natural forces can contribute to the formation of mountains, they are generally not the primary cause of major mountain belts. Instead, the formation of mountain ranges is primarily driven by the slow but powerful movements of the Earth's tectonic plates over long periods of time.