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Difficulty: MediumRelief and Major Landforms of Africa

Match each African physical landform listed on the left with its primary geological origin or tectonic feature on the right.

  • Atlas MountainsTertiary fold mountain belt formed by continental collision
  • East African Rift SystemTectonic graben structure formed by continental crustal extension
  • Ahaggar MassifPrecambrian crystalline basement complex with volcanic cappings
  • Drakensberg EscarpmentBasaltic plateau edge formed by massive continental flood volcanism and uplift

Answer

Atlas Mountains matches Tertiary fold mountain belt formed by continental collision; East African Rift System matches Tectonic graben structure formed by continental crustal extension; Ahaggar Massif matches Precambrian crystalline basement complex with volcanic cappings; Drakensberg Escarpment matches Basaltic plateau edge formed by massive continental flood volcanism and uplift.
Each African landform is correctly paired with its primary tectonic or geological process: Atlas Mountains (young folding), East African Rift System (tensional rifting/graben formation), Ahaggar Massif (Precambrian basement uplift with vulcanicity), and Drakensberg Escarpment (volcanic flood basalt plateau edge).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tectonic process of the Atlas Mountains
Atlas Mountains are young fold mountains formed by the collision of the Eurasian and African plates.
Relates Northwest Africa's major relief feature to Alpine crustal folding.
2
Identify the structural nature of the East African Rift System
It is a rift valley system formed by divergent crustal tension resulting in faulted grabens.
Distinguishes extensional faulting from compressional folding.
3
Analyze the geological basement and relief of the Ahaggar Massif
Ahaggar is an ancient crystalline highland shield area in the Sahara with volcanic peaks.
Recognizes Saharan basement complex uplift.
4
Determine the origin of the Drakensberg Escarpment
Drakensberg is part of the Great Escarpment, comprising thick Karoo basaltic lava flows.
Connects Southern African relief to continental flood basalt volcanism.

Key Concept

Geological origins and tectonic classification of major African landforms
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Relief and Major Landforms of Africa

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