How does plate tectonics influence the formation of mountains?

Plate tectonics significantly influences mountain formation primarily through the collision and folding of crustal material. When tectonic plates move, they can converge at plate boundaries. This convergence leads to various geological processes, including the uplift of land and the formation of mountain ranges.

For instance, when two continental plates collide, neither plate is subducted due to their similar densities. Instead, the crust buckles and folds, resulting in the creation of mountains. This process is evident in major mountain ranges like the Himalayas, which formed from the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate.

Additionally, tectonic activity can also lead to faulting and volcanic activity, both of which contribute to the landscape and the formation of mountain structures. Thus, the dynamic nature of plate tectonics is essential in shaping the Earth's topography, particularly in regions where continental plates interact.