The Rocky Mountains Are in the Wrong Place

The video explores the mystery of the Rocky Mountains' formation, located far from tectonic plate boundaries. It discusses the Severe and Laramide orogeny events and presents four hypotheses: retro arc thrusting, orogenic float, transpressional collision, and flat slab subduction. Each hypothesis has its own challenges and evidence, and none fully explain the mountains' formation. The video concludes that a combination of mechanisms might be needed to understand the geological processes involved.

Describe the idea of transpressional collision and its implications for the formation of the Rockies.

What is flat slab subduction and why is it considered a popular hypothesis?

Summarize the current understanding of the formation of the Rocky Mountains based on the discussed hypotheses.