How old are the Andes mountains of south America?

The Andes Mountains are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world, formed as a result of the collision between the South American and Nazca tectonic plates. The process of mountain building, known as orogeny, began approximately 25 million years ago during the Cenozoic Era. However, the most intense period of uplift occurred during the last 10-15 million years, resulting in the formation of the towering peaks and valleys that characterize the Andes today.