thinking about how the appalachian mountain range and its sister ranges over in europe are. older than the formation of soil happening. literally older than dirt.
also they were formed as the mid-supercontinental range of an ancient supercontinent. which is why it's partially in the americas and partially in europe.
a fun part of this is that the scottish highlands were part of this same ancient mountain range
this is also why they're so short compared to the rocky mountains to the west - they've had many millions of years to wear down, while the rockies are actively being thrust up still. the rockies are young, comparatively speaking.