How are fault mountains formed?

Fault mountains are formed when the Earth's crust experiences stress and breaks along faults, allowing uplifted sections of the crust to rise relative to the surrounding areas. This geological process often occurs as a result of tectonic forces, where the movement of the Earth's plates leads to the creation of fractures in the crust. When these fractures happen, portions of the crust can be thrust upward, creating mountainous terrain composed of jagged rock formations.

The development of fault mountains is a direct consequence of the dynamic nature of the Earth's lithosphere, where physical forces can cause significant structural changes over time. This explains the formation of prominent ranges associated with fault lines, such as the Sierra Nevada in the United States and the ranges in the Himalayas.

The other options reflect different geological processes that do not specifically lead to the creation of fault mountains. Volcanic activity contributes to the formation of mountains through lava flow and volcanic eruptions rather than crustal fracture. Erosion by wind and water involves the wearing away of existing landforms rather than the creation of new ones through uplift. Sediment accumulation typically results in formations like sedimentary basins rather than the sharp, uplifted profiles characteristic of fault mountains.