Eli5: if granite is an intrusive igneous rock that forms below ground, why do things like the Sierra Nevada range exist?

Question

Eli5: if granite is an intrusive igneous rock that forms below ground, why do things like the Sierra Nevada range exist?

In: Earth Science

Answer 1

Here’s a timeline

Granite forms in hot spot -> granite moves with continental plate -> continental plate hits oceanic plate/other continental plate -> all the rocks get thrust upward into into a mountain range -> all the rock above the granite gets worn down by erosion -> granite on the surface.

Granite is a very strong rock, and so it doesn’t wear down quite as easily as others, leaving large portions of it on the surface or poking out.