How plates affect our planet
Structure of the Earth Pangaea Volcanoes Mountains Earthquakes Hot Spots

It may seem like the Rocky Mountains have been there forever, but these mountains are very young compared to the age of the Earth. In the history of the Earth, mountain chains like the Rockies have risen and worn away many times.

Himalayas
The youngest mountains on Earth, like the Himalayas in Asia, are high.

Mountains form where two continental plates collide. Since both plates have a similar thickness and weight, neither one will sink under the other. Instead, they crumple and fold until the rocks are forced up to form a mountain range. As the plates continue to collide, mountains will get taller and taller.
Appalachian Mountains
Old mountain ranges, like the Appalachians, are not as high.
Plates on the move