Question

What happens to Earth’s surface when horizontal pressure is applied to rocks?
a.
they break and one layer slides beneath the other creating a shelf
b.
they fold to create ridges and valley in the same direction to which pressure is applied
c.
they fold to create ridges and valleys perpendicular to the direction to which pressure is applied
d.
the pressure causes friction that changes the composition of the rocks

Answer 1

c.

Horizontal compression shortens and "buckles" rock layers, producing folds (anticlines and synclines) that form ridges and valleys oriented roughly perpendicular to the direction of the applied pressure.