Out of the various natural habitats on the earth, the mountain is one of the key element, known for its strength and creation. But did you know that there are different types of mountains? Based on various features and factors, these mountains are divided into five main types. In this section, you’ll learn about the main types of mountains and how their formation takes place.
Also read:-
How are the Mountains Formed?
Mountains are formed by slow and gigantic movements of the earth’s crust, i.e., the outermost layer of the earth. The earth’s crust is made up of 6 huge slabs called plates, arranged like a jigsaw puzzle. In this process, the two slabs of the earth’s crust smash into each other, and the land can be pushed upward to form the mountains. To be noted, many of the mountain ranges in the world have been formed by the vigorous collisions between the continents. The different types of mountains are formed by different activities, such as the crust of the folds and buckles of the mountains up at times. Other times, the fold seems to break. The other mountain types are formed by the earth’s crust rising into a dome sort of structure or when the crust cracks open.
Different Types of Mountains
There are five basic types of mountains such as:-
Fold Mountains (Folded Mountains)
The first mountain type is folded mountains. These are the range of mountains stretching thousands of kilometers. These mountains are formed when the two tectonic plates of the earth surface collide heads.
Example:- the Alps in Europe
the Rockies in North America
Fault-block Mountains (Block Mountains)
Fault-block mountains are also known as block mountains created when the mountains crack, and the earth’s crust forces the internal material upwards. These break up into chunks and move up and down. The mountains usually have a steep front side and a sloping backside.
Example:- the Sierra Nevada mountains in North America
the Harz Mountains in Germany
Dome Mountains
Dome mountains are another type formed when a large amount of magma pushes from below the earth’s crust to the surface but never really erupts. Later, the pushed up rocks cools and hardens into a dome shape.
Volcanic Mountains
The volcanic mountains are created when the magma inside the mountain reaches the surface. On erupting, the magma forms lava, ash, rock, and volcanic gases. This erupted material builds up in the surrounding area and builds up a mountain.
Example:- Mount St. Helens in North America
Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines
Plateau Mountains
The last type of mountains is known as plateau mountains. These mountains are formed by the earth’s internal activity. When the running water makes ways way into deep channels of a region, these mountains are created. For instance, the river cuts deep into a plateau and forms tall mountains.
Example:- The mountains in New Zealand
To learn about more such educational topics, seek instant help from our experts. We can help you with your assignments for any subject. Chat with us now!
Related Questions
California Coast University GED 260 Criminology Unit 2 Exam
Strayer PAD599 Week 4 Assignemnt 2
BYP17-2 Ideal Manufacturing Company of Sycamore, Illinois, Has Supported a Research
Which Part of the New Testament Was Written First
California Coast University GED 260 Criminology Unit 4 Exam
Strayer HSA525 Assignment 1: Financial Statement Analysis