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MOUNTAINS
The dictionary defines a mountain as that which is ‘higher and steeper
than a hill’. It is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in
a limited area. Mountains usually have steep, sloping sides and sharp or
slightly rounded ridges and peaks.
Generally, mountains are landforms that rise above 600 metres.
Mountains exist on every continent and even beneath our great oceans.
Formed through varying causes, there are several distinct types of
mountains.
Mountains cover one-fifth of the earth’s land surface, are home to
approximately one-tenth of the world’s population , and are found in 75
percent of the world’s countries. More than half of the world’s fresh water
originates in mountains, and all the world's major rivers are fed from
mountain sources.
How are mountains formed?
Mountains are created over long periods of time by tremendous forces in
the earth Mountains are formed by volcanism, erosion, and disturbances
or an uplift in the earth's crust.
The Earth's crust is made up of six huge slabs called plates, which fit
together like a jigsaw puzzle. When two slabs of the Earth's crust smash
into each other the land can be pushed upwards, forming mountains.
Many of the greatest mountain ranges of the world have formed because
of enormous collisions between continents.
There are five main types of mountains:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
dome
fold
fault-block
volcanic
plateau mountains
These different types of mountain names not only distinguish the physical
characteristics of the mountains, but also how they were formed.
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Dome mountains are the result of a great amount
of melted rock pushing its way up under the earth
without folding or faulting resulting in a rounded
dome. As the dome is raised above its surroundings
erosion occurs, and as a result of erosion, peaks and
valleys are formed.
Fold mountains were formed when two plates
collided head on, and their edges crumbled, much
the same way as a piece of paper folds when
pushed together. Examples of fold mountains
include Himalayas in Asia, the Alps in Europe and
the Andes in South America
Fault block mountains These mountains form
when faults or cracks in the earth's crush force some
materials or blocks of rock up and others down.
Instead of the earth folding over, the earth fractures
and blocks are stacked. Examples include the Sierra
Nevada mountains in North America and the Harz
Mountains in Germany.
Volcanic Mountains are formed when molten
rock, or magma deep within the earth, erupts, and
piles upon the surface. Examples of Volcanic
Mountains include Mount St. Helens in North
America and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines.
Plateau Mountains are mountains that are
really plateaus that have worn down from
erosion. The dictionary describes these as large
areas of ‘high levels’ of flat land.
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