Why are the Cordilleran and Innuitian Mountains taller than the Appalachian Mountains?

The reason the Cordilleran and Innuitian Mountains are taller than the Appalachian Mountains primarily relates to their age and the erosion processes they have undergone. The Cordilleran and Innuitian Mountains are younger geological formations, which means they have had less time to be worn down by weathering and erosion. When mountains are younger, they typically have taller peaks and more rugged terrain due to the processes of uplift that can occur through tectonic activity.

In contrast, the Appalachian Mountains are much older, having been formed millions of years ago and subjected to extensive erosion over time. This prolonged exposure to the elements has led to their reduction in height and the development of more rolling and rounded features. Therefore, the relative youth of the Cordilleran and Innuitian Mountains contributes to their greater height when compared to the more ancient Appalachians.