Abstract: With the basic concept of plate tectonics and mountain building processes discussed in Chap. 1, we now attempt to understand the evolution of the fold belts or mobile belts or orogenic belts in light of the plate tectonics theory. We believe that orogenic belts, being fold-thrust belts, formed at convergent margins where the adjacent plates had moved toward each other and collided. These margins are called subduction zones and are classified as either oceanic or sub-continental, depending upon whether the crust of the overriding plate above the subduction zone is oceanic or continental. Oceanic subduction zones are marked by a trench and by an arcuate chain of volcanoes on the overriding plate, called island arcs or ocean island arcs. Subcontinental convergent margins are also marked by an oceanic trench and by an arcuate chain of volcanoes that are built on the continental crust. These margins are called continental arcs or Andean-type continental margins. The Andes is the simple orogenic belt that formed when oceanic lithosphere (Nazca plate) subducted eastward under a continental margin of South America.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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