Consider the following information:

In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Correct Answer: (b) Only two

Explanation:

Row 1: Central Asia – Vosges – Fold mountain
- Incorrect: The Vosges are block mountains, not fold mountains. They were formed by the uplift of bedrock plates due to a graben at the beginning of the Paleogene period .
Row 2: Europe – Alps – Block mountain
- Incorrect: The Alps are fold mountains, not block mountains. They were formed by the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, causing the folding and faulting of the Earth’s crust .
Row 3: North America – Appalachians – Fold mountain
- Correct: The Appalachians are fold mountains. They were formed by the collision of tectonic plates, which caused the folding and faulting of the Earth’s crust over millions of years .
Row 4: South America – Andes – Fold mountain
- Correct: The Andes are fold mountains. They were formed by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate, leading to the folding and faulting of the Earth’s crust .

Fold Mountains:
- Formed by the collision of tectonic plates, causing the Earth’s crust to fold and create mountain ranges.
- Examples include the Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, and Appalachians.
- Characterized by long, linear ranges with high peaks and deep valleys.
Block Mountains:
- Created when large areas of the Earth’s crust are broken and displaced vertically.
- The uplifted blocks are called horsts, and the lowered blocks are called grabens.
- Examples include the Vosges and the Black Forest in Europe.
- Characterized by steep, flat-topped blocks separated by valleys or basins.
Volcanic Mountains:
- Formed by volcanic activity, where magma from the Earth’s mantle reaches the surface and solidifies.
- Examples include Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, and Mount St. Helens in the USA.
- Characterized by conical shapes with craters at the summit.
Dome Mountains:
- Formed when magma pushes the crust upwards but does not erupt.
- The overlying layers of rock are bent into a dome shape.
- Examples include the Black Hills of South Dakota.
- Characterized by rounded, dome-like shapes.
Plateau Mountains:
- Formed by erosion of an uplifted plateau.
- The plateau is worn down by weathering and erosion, leaving behind mountain-like features.
- Examples include the Colorado Plateau.
- Characterized by flat-topped elevations with steep sides.