Mountains
Mountain, Landform that rises prominently above its surroundings, generally exhibiting steep slopes, a relatively confined summit area, and considerable local relief. Mountains generally are understood to be larger than hills, but the term has no standardized geological meaning. Very rarely do mountains occur individually. In most cases, they are found in elongated ranges or chains. When an array of such ranges is linked together, it constitutes a mountain belt.
Geomorphic Characteristics
Mountainous terrains have certain unifying characteristics. Such terrains have higher elevations than do surrounding areas. Moreover, high relief exists within mountain belts and ranges. Individual mountains, mountain ranges, and mountain belts that have been created by different tectonic processes, however, are often characterized by different features.
Chains of active Volcanoes-2/”>Volcanoes, such as those occurring at island arcs, are commonly marked by individual high mountains separated by large expanses of low and gentle topography. In some chains, namely those associated with “hot spots” only the volcanoes at one end of the chain are active. Thus, those volcanoes stand high, but with increasing distance away from them erosion has reduced the sizes of volcanic structures to an increasing degree.
The folding of layers of Sedimentary Rocks with thicknesses of hundreds of metres to a few kilometres often leaves long parallel ridges and valleys termed fold belts, as, for example, in the Valley and Ridge province of Pennsylvania in the eastern United States.
The more resistant rocks form ridges, and the valleys are underlain by weaker ones. These fold belts commonly include segments where layers of older rocks have been thrust or pushed up and over younger rocks. Such segments are known as fold and thrust belts. Typically their topography is not as regular as where folding is the most important process, but it is usually dominated by parallel ridges of resistant rock divided by valleys of weaker rock, as in the eastern flank of the Canadian Rocky Mountains or in the Jura Mountains of France and Switzerland.
Most fold and thrust belts are bounded on one side, or lie parallel to, a belt or terrain of crystalline rocks. These are metamorphic and Igneous Rocks that in most cases solidified at depths of several kilometres or more and that are more resistant to erosion than the sedimentary rocks deposited on top of them. These crystalline terrains typically contain the highest peaks in any mountain belt and include the highest belt in the world, the Himalayas, which was formed by the thrusting of crystalline rocks up onto the surface of the Earth. The great heights exist because of the resistance of the rocks to erosion and because the rates of continuing uplift are the highest in these areas. The topography rarely is as regularly oriented as in fold and thrust belts.
Types of mountains
The most common type of mountain in the world are called fold mountains. Fold mountains are formed when two of the Earth’s tectonic plates collide head on; like two cars crashing together. The edges of each tectonic plate crumple and buckle, and these create the mountains. Some examples of fold mountain ranges include the Rocky Mountains in North America, and the Himalayan Mountains in Asia.
Fault-Block Mountains
Fault-block mountains are created when faults or cracks in the Earth’s crust force materials upward. So instead of folding, like the plate collision we get with fold mountains, block mountains break up into chunks and move up or down. Fault-block mountains usually have a steep front side and then a sloping back side. Examples of fault-block mountains include the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Dome mountains are created when a large amount of magma pushes up from below the Earth’s crust, but it never actually reaches the surface and erupts. And then, before it can erupt, the source of the magma goes away and the pushed up rock cools and hardens into a dome shape. Since the dome is higher than its surroundings, erosion works from the top creating a circular mountain range.
Volcanic Mountains
Volcanic mountains are created when magma from beneath the Earth makes its way to the surface. When does get the surface, the magma erupts as lava, ash, rock and volcanic gases. This material builds up around the volcanic vent, building up a mountain. Some of the largest mountains in the world were created this way, including Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Other familiar volcanoes are Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt. Rainier in the US.
Plateau Mountains
Plateau mountains are actually formed by the Earth’s internal activity; instead, they’re revealed by erosion. They’re created when running water carves deep channels into a region, creating mountains. Over billions of years, the rivers can cut deep into a plateau and make tall mountains. Plateau mountains are usually found near folded mountains.
Mountain ecosystem
Mountain lands provide a scattered but diverse array of habitats in which a large range of Plants and animals can be found. At higher altitudes harsh environmental conditions generally prevail, and a treeless alpine vegetation, upon which the present account is focused, is supported. Lower slopes commonly are covered by montane forests. At even lower levels mountain lands grade into other types of landform and vegetation—e.g., tropical or temperate forest, savanna, scrubland, desert, or Tundra.
Mountain environments have different climates from the surrounding lowlands, and hence the vegetation differs as well. The differences in Climate result from two principal causes: altitude and relief.
Altitude affects climate because atmospheric temperature drops with increasing altitude by about 0.5 to 0.6 °C (0.9 to 1.1 °F) per 100 metres (328 feet). The relief of mountains affects climate because they stand in the path of wind systems and force air to rise over them. As the air rises it cools, leading to higher Precipitation on windward mountain slopes; as it descends leeward slopes it becomes warmer and relative humidity falls, reducing the likelihood of precipitation and creating areas of drier climate.,
Mountains are some of the most awe-inspiring and beautiful features on Earth. They can be found on every continent, and they play an important role in the Earth’s climate and Ecosystems.
Mountain ranges are long, continuous chains of mountains. The Himalayas, the Andes, and the Rocky Mountains are some of the most well-known mountain ranges in the world. Mountain peaks are the highest points on a mountain range. Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is located in the Himalayas. Mountain passes are low points in a mountain range that allow people and animals to cross from one side to the other. The Great St. Bernard Pass, located in the Alps, is one of the most famous mountain passes in the world. Mountain Glaciers are large masses of ice that form on high mountains. Glaciers can move slowly down mountains, carving out valleys and depositing sediment. Mountain forests are forests that grow on mountains. Mountain forests are home to a variety of plants and animals, including many that are found nowhere else on Earth. Mountain ecosystems are complex systems that include mountains, forests, glaciers, and other features. Mountain ecosystems are important for regulating the Earth’s climate and providing habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Mountain peoples are the people who live in mountains. Mountain peoples have a unique culture and way of life that is adapted to the challenges of living in high altitudes. Mountain climbing is the sport of climbing mountains. Mountain climbing can be a dangerous sport, but it is also a very rewarding one. Mountain tourism is the Industry that is based on attracting people to mountains for recreation. Mountain tourism can include activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, and snowboarding. Mountain conservation is the practice of protecting mountains and their ecosystems. Mountain conservation is important because mountains play an important role in the Earth’s climate and ecosystems. Mountain myths and legends are stories that have been passed down through generations about mountains. Mountain myths and legends often tell of the dangers and challenges of living in mountains, but they also tell of the beauty and power of mountains.
Mountains are a vital part of our planet, and they deserve our respect and protection.
- What is the largest ocean in the world?
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, covering about 30% of the Earth’s surface. - What is the deepest ocean in the world?
The Pacific Ocean is also the deepest ocean in the world, with a maximum depth of 11,034 meters (68,986 feet). - What is the smallest ocean in the world?
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean in the world, covering about 4% of the Earth’s surface. - What is the warmest ocean in the world?
The Pacific Ocean is the warmest ocean in the world, with an Average surface temperature of 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit). - What is the coldest ocean in the world?
The Arctic Ocean is the coldest ocean in the world, with an average surface temperature of -1 degree Celsius (30 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rivers
- What is the longest river in the world?
The Nile River is the longest river in the world, flowing for 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles) from Lake Victoria in Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. - What is the widest river in the world?
The Amazon River is the widest river in the world, with an average width of 1.6 kilometers (1 mile). - What is the deepest river in the world?
The Congo River is the deepest river in the world, with a maximum depth of 230 meters (750 feet). - What is the fastest river in the world?
The Karnali River in Nepal is the fastest river in the world, with a speed of 25 meters per second (82 feet per second). - What is the most polluted river in the world?
The Citarum River in Indonesia is the most polluted river in the world, due to industrial and agricultural waste.
Lakes
- What is the largest lake in the world?
The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, covering an area of 371,000 square kilometers (143,250 square miles). - What is the deepest lake in the world?
Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, with a maximum depth of 1,642 meters (5,387 feet). - What is the largest freshwater lake in the world?
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world, covering an area of 82,414 square kilometers (31,820 square miles). - What is the most saline lake in the world?
The Dead Sea is the most saline lake in the world, with a salinity of 35%. - What is the most polluted lake in the world?
Lake Karachay in Russia is the most polluted lake in the world, due to radioactive waste.
Forests
- What is the largest forest in the world?
The Amazon rainforest is the largest forest in the world, covering an area of 5.5 million square kilometers (2.1 million square miles). - What is the oldest forest in the world?
The Jarrah forest in Western Australia is the oldest forest in the world, dating back to 340 million years ago. - What is the most biodiverse forest in the world?
The Amazon rainforest is the most biodiverse forest in the world, with over 100,000 plant species and 3,000 animal species. - What is the most endangered forest in the world?
The Congo rainforest is the most endangered forest in the world, due to deforestation and poaching. - What is the most important forest in the world?
The Amazon rainforest is the most important forest in the world, due to its role in regulating the Earth’s climate.
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Which of the following is not a type of mountain?
(A) Volcanic mountain
(B) Fold mountain
(C) Block mountain
(D) Mountain range -
Which of the following is the highest mountain in the world?
(A) Mount Everest
(B) K2
(C) Kangchenjunga
(D) Lhotse -
Which of the following is the largest mountain range in the world?
(A) The Himalayas
(B) The Andes
(C) The Rocky Mountains
(D) The Alps -
Which of the following is not a benefit of mountains?
(A) They provide a source of water.
(B) They provide a home for many different plants and animals.
(C) They provide a place for recreation.
(D) They are a barrier to transportation. -
Which of the following is not a hazard of mountains?
(A) Avalanches
(B) Landslides
(C) Earthquakes
(D) Tornadoes -
Which of the following is the largest mountain in the United States?
(A) Denali
(B) Mount Whitney
(C) Mount Rainier
(D) Mount Hood -
Which of the following is the highest mountain in Europe?
(A) Mont Blanc
(B) Elbrus
(C) Kilimanjaro
(D) Olympus Mons -
Which of the following is the highest mountain in Africa?
(A) Kilimanjaro
(B) Mount Kenya
(C) Mount Cameroon
(D) Mount Toubkal -
Which of the following is the highest mountain in Australia?
(A) Mount Kosciuszko
(B) Mount Cook
(C) Mount Wilhelm
(D) Mount Kilimanjaro -
Which of the following is the highest mountain in Antarctica?
(A) Vinson Massif
(B) Mount Erebus
(C) Mount Sidley
(D) Mount Tyree