Scientists have finally figured out how the Andes mountain
range got so big. Read on to discover the fascinating geological history of
this South American landmark.
The Andes mountain range is one of the most awe-inspiring
geological features in the world. Spanning over 7,000 kilometers along the
western coast of South America, the Andes are home to some of the highest peaks
on the planet, including Aconcagua, which towers over 6,960 meters above sea
level. But for years, scientists have been baffled by how this mountain range
got so big.
Now, a team of researchers from the University of Arizona,
the University of California, and the University of Chile believe they have
finally solved the mystery. In a paper published in the journal Science
Advances, the team reveals how the Andes were formed through a combination of
subduction, uplift, and erosion.
Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate is pushed
beneath another, causing it to sink deep into the Earth’s mantle. The Andes
were formed as the Nazca Plate, which lies beneath the Pacific Ocean, began to
subduct beneath the South American Plate, around 30 million years ago.
As the Nazca Plate sank deeper into the mantle, it released
water and other fluids, which caused the overlying South American Plate to melt
and form magma. This magma then rose to the surface, creating a series of
volcanoes along the western edge of the continent.
Over time, the continued subduction of the Nazca Plate
caused the Andes to gradually rise. As the mountains rose, they also began to
erode, which caused sediment to accumulate along their flanks. This sediment
helped to stabilize the mountains and prevent them from collapsing under their
own weight.
The team’s findings shed new light on the geological historyof the Andes, and could help scientists better understand the processes that
shape mountain ranges around the world. As lead author Benjamin Passey of the
University of California, Santa Cruz, explains, “The Andes are a great
natural laboratory for understanding how mountain belts form and evolve, and
how they can influence regional climate and ecosystems.”
The Andes mountain range is a testament to the incredible power of
tectonic plates and the forces that shape our planet. Thanks to the
groundbreaking research of these scientists, we now have a better understanding
of how this magnificent landmark came to be.
