Uplift and Erosion
Compiled by Jeff Crabaugh at the University of Wyoming.
The following visualizations illustrate the physical processes interacting to create mountain uplift and erosion. Visualizations include simple animations, experimental models, visual output from numerical models, as well as static diagrams and photos. We also have additional
structural geology visualization collections.
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Plio-Pleistocene Oblique Shortening against the San Andreas fault ( This site may be offline. ) An animation of the formation of Southern California's mountainous landscape through uplifting and tectonic forces. Over time, land that was below sea level was forced upwards, creating the Santa Monica Mountains and the Topa Topa Mountains. The animation is available as a QuickTime file.
Himalayan Collision (more info) An excellent animation of Himalayan formation, featuring captions that date events in the formation of the Himalayas. Shown as a cut-away view of the earth, it's possible to see not only the continental collision, but also the mantle and the mountain root that is created in the collision. The file is available as a QuickTime movie in two different sizes.
