Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:The Rocky Mountain chain is a fascinating geologic formation, as it (at least, at first glance) defies some basic geological rules, including that most mountain ranges form subduction zones. Better understanding of the Cordillera-craton boundary (CCB) will help scientists discover answers about this perplexing geologic formation. In Geology 101, you learn that mountain ranges form near subduction zones. These mountains ranges were formed by two tectonic plates crashing into each other and one slipping under, or subducting, the other. Future studies, like this one, will continue chipping away at the true nature of one of the world’s greatest mountain ranges.