They are separate tectonic plates, the two continents only crashed together relatively recently, the “columbian exchange” that saw wildlife mix between the continents. South America was near Africa at one point, North America more with Europe as I understand it.
When I was on the Appalachian trail they had a placard that explained it and said it’s also the oldest mountain range in the world, and used to be like 4x the size of the himalayans (which is the youngest.) Others have disputed that, but just internet randos with no sources, I trust the NPS placard.
Hills near me (northern Scotland) were once magma chambers underneath volcanoes! That’s how worn down they are. Wild to think about, and makes some lovely granite.
They are separate tectonic plates, the two continents only crashed together relatively recently, the “columbian exchange” that saw wildlife mix between the continents. South America was near Africa at one point, North America more with Europe as I understand it.
I find it really cool that the Appalachian mountains used to be connected with what’s now the Scottish Highlands, if memory serves correctly.
When I was on the Appalachian trail they had a placard that explained it and said it’s also the oldest mountain range in the world, and used to be like 4x the size of the himalayans (which is the youngest.) Others have disputed that, but just internet randos with no sources, I trust the NPS placard.
So crazy to think about because they’re so worn down at this point. Neat!
Hills near me (northern Scotland) were once magma chambers underneath volcanoes! That’s how worn down they are. Wild to think about, and makes some lovely granite.
(That’s the joke)