The Andes mountain range is found on the west coast of South America. What direction is the Nazca plate moving assuming that the South American Plate is stationary

The Nazca plate is moving eastward

Explanation:

The Andes Mountain range is one of the most contrasting features on the earth's surface. It is formed due to the sharing of the convergent plate boundary between the Nazca plate (oceanic) and the South American (continental) plate.

The Nazca plate is getting subducted continuously beneath the South American plate, as a result of which a subduction zone is formed and also the rocks at the edge of the South American plate are crushed and folded significantly. As the plate melts at greater depth, the rocks melt and mixes up with the melt and rise upward, resulting in the formation of the San Andes mountains.

Considering that the South American plate is stationary, the Nazca plate is moving towards the east direction at a rate of 3 inches per year.