How does subduction contribute to mountain formation?

Subduction is a geological process where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another and into the mantle. This process is fundamental to mountain formation, particularly in convergent plate boundaries where two plates collide. When an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is subducted. The immense pressure and heat generated at these convergent boundaries not only initiate melting of the plate material but also lead to the uplift of the overlying continental plate.

As the subducting plate descends, it can generate significant geological stress in the overriding plate, culminating in a folding and faulting process that contributes to the creation of mountain ranges. This uplift can be seen in regions such as the Andes where the Nazca Plate is subducting beneath the South American Plate, resulting in the formation of towering mountains.

While subduction does lead to volcanic activity, which can also contribute to mountain formation (as mentioned in one of the other choices), the primary structural uplift associated with mountain ranges is a result of the descending plate causing the overlying plate to rise. This distinction is vital for understanding how mountain ranges are primarily formed by tectonic activity associated with subduction.