Mountain Belt Formation & Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonic Theory
Formulated during the 1960's, the Plate Tectonic Theory is widely accepted among geologists. Plate tectonics describes motions of the Earth's crust and mantle. The fractures divide the brittle layers on the Earth's surface which forces in hot interior which moves the plates. The shift and movements of the plates are considered one of the main causes for geological events. They have raised mountains, open and closed basins in the ocean, influenced evolution, and is a cause of volcanoes and earthquakes.

Mountain Belt Formation
The thickening of the Earth's crust is considered the formation of the mountain belt. The mountain belts are typically formed due to plate tectonic activity. When the plates collide they crumple and stick together or are sutured together. The process that produces the mountain building is called orogenesis, which include; Folding (anticlines & synclines), thrust faulting, metamorphism, and igneous activity. The Appalachian, Andes, Apls, Ural, Himalya, Rocky, and Cascade Mountains are great examples of the mountain belt formation. (1999, Gore).
The mountain belt can be transformed due to extreme cold or hot temperatures. The intense heat produced by the Earth may cause the plate to melt and attach itself to another plate. The cold temperatures may loosen the plate and shift it somewhere else. Erosion is an issue for mountains because pieces may be broken off and carried away. Water and wind may break down the particles of a mountain and disturb the foundation. A person climbing on mountains also disturbs the formation. (2005, Steckler).

The Himalaya Mountains
The Himalaya Mountains are one of the largest mountain ranges located on planet Earth. The beautiful structure stretches 2,900 kilometers along the border of India and Tibet. The large mountain range began to form somewhere between 40 to 50 million years ago after the landmasses of India and Eurasia collided due to plate tectonics. Approximately 225 million years ago India was a very large island located near the Australian coast. India collided into the Asian continent about 40 to 50 million years ago and initiated the structure of the Himalayas. The two landmasses did not have the same rock density which caused very jagged peaks of the Himalayan Mountains that are difficult to climb.
Presently the movement of India places an incredible amount of pressure on the Asian continent. The Asian continent is forced east towards the Pacific Ocean due to the pressure which causes enormous stress on the Earth's crust. The stress and pressure is occasionally released by earthquakes among the faults which damage and scar the landscape. Several of the World's earthquakes that caused a lot of damage and destruction are considered to be related to the tectonic plate movements and collisions between the Indian and Eurasian continents that occurred millions of years ago. (1999, The Himalayas).

The Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains are mostly located in several states located in the United States but also run into parts of Canada. The mountain began to form more than one billion years ago when an extensive chain of mountains began to link together after many plate collisions. Lots of people view the Appalachian Mountains while comparing them to other mountain ranges throughout the World and don't even consider them to be an actual mountain belt structure. The Appalachian Mountains do not have high peaks and have smooth rock formations. The Appalachian Mountains do not compare to the amazing structure of the Himalayas. The peaks at the Appalachians are not nearly as tall, wide, and are a lot smoother than the Himalayas. The Appalachian Mountains have lots of forest and plant life whereas the Himalayas have lots of snow and very little life. The Mount Mitchell is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains which measures at 6,684 feet. The mountain stretches from many states and into Canada at a whopping 736,741 square miles. (2004, The Appalachians).
The structure of the Appalachian Mountains was caused by plate colliding and sticking to each other. Some plates were melted due to high temperatures and hardened onto other pieces. Some plates just collided but had the same rock density so they were able to be smooth instead of jagged. Years ago the Appalachian Mountains were much higher than they are today. The past 100 years the mountains were eroded overtime and particles carried away. The structure began to shrink and they continue to do so due to the process or erosion. (2003, Topinka).

References
The Appalachians. (2004). The Appalachian Mountains. Peak Bagger. Retrieved April 8 from http://www.peakbagger.com
The Himalayas. (1999). The Himalayas: Two continents collide. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved Sunday April 8 from http://pubs.usgs.gov
Topinka, L. (2003). America's Volcanic Past. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved April 8 from http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov
Gore, P. (1999). Mountain Building and the Evolution of Continents. Georgia Perimeter College. Retrieved April 4, 2007 from http://gpc.edu/~pgore/geology/geo101/mountain.htm
Steckler, R. Ph.D. (2005). ChromaDepth. The Science Enrichment Program. Retrieved April 4, 2007 from http://education.nacse.org/Curriculum/chroma1.htm