What are the primary geological features formed during the Laramide Orogeny?

The Laramide Orogeny was a significant geological event that primarily shaped the western region of North America, most notably through the formation of the present Rocky Mountains. This orogenic phase occurred from the late Cretaceous to early Eocene epoch (approximately 70 to 40 million years ago) and is characterized by a period of intense mountain-building as the North American plate was subjected to compressional forces from the subduction of the Farallon Plate.

During this period, the tectonic activity led to the uplift and deformation of the Earth's crust, resulting in the distinctive structural features we associate with the Rocky Mountains today. This includes significant folding, faulting, and the creation of various types of rock formations that contribute to the current landscape.

Other choices presented, such as the formation of the Andes Mountains, relate to tectonic activity in different geographic areas and were influenced by different geological processes. Similarly, the features associated with the Appalachian Mountains and Coastal Ranges were formed during different geological times and events. The Great Plains are also not directly linked to the Laramide Orogeny but were instead shaped by sedimentary processes during a different period. Thus, the answer highlighting the current structure of the Rocky Mountains aligns correctly with the specific outcomes of the