Download 5.2 Notes: What are mountains? Objective: Identify the world`s major

5.2 Notes: What are mountains?
Objective: Identify the world’s major systems
A mountain is a landform that reaches a high elevation. Elevation is the
height of a point on earth above or below sea level
For a hill or mound of land to be classified as a mountain, its summit, or
highest point, must be more than a few hundred meters above the land
around it.
Most mountains are a part of a mountain range (Mount St. Helens in
Washington State is part of the Cascade mountain range)
Groups of mountain ranges make up mountain systems. (For example,
the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountain ranges are part of the
Appalachian Mountain System)
Mountain systems are broken up into 2 major groups, called belts.
(There is the Eurasian-Melanesian belt, and the Circum-Pacific belt)
MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
Young mountains- are formed from new crust
Steep slopes
Jagged, sharp peaks
Narrow valleys
Mature mountains- peaks have been worn down by weather conditions
More rounded peaks
Slopes are less steep
Old mountains- continue to be worn away, and no build up occurs
Almost flat
No jagged peaks
Rolling hills
Wide valleys