What are Mountains?
- Mountains are natural elevations of the Earth’s surface, rising steeply from their surroundings.
- They are higher than hills and often have steep slopes, a peak, and a summit.
- Mountains cover about 25% of Earth’s land area and play a vital role in climate, biodiversity, and water sources.
Types of Mountains
1. Fold Mountains (Young & Old Fold Mountains)
- Formed by the collision of tectonic plates, causing layers of the Earth’s crust to fold.
- Examples:
✅ Young Fold Mountains – Himalayas (India), Alps (Europe), Andes (South America).
✅ Old Fold Mountains – Aravallis (India), Appalachian (USA), Ural (Russia).
🔹 Characteristics:
- Long chains of mountains.
- Have peaks, valleys, and ridges.
- Young fold mountains are taller and more rugged, while old fold mountains are eroded and lower.
2. Block Mountains
- Formed by faulting when large blocks of the Earth’s crust are uplifted or displaced.
- Examples:
✅ Black Forest (Germany), Vosges (France), Sierra Nevada (USA).
🔹 Characteristics:
- Have steep edges and flat tops.
- Formed by tensional and compressional forces in the Earth’s crust.
3. Volcanic Mountains
- Formed by the accumulation of lava and volcanic materials during eruptions.
- Examples:
✅ Mount Fuji (Japan), Mount Vesuvius (Italy), Mount St. Helens (USA), Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).
🔹 Characteristics:
- Cone-shaped with a crater at the top.
- Found in volcanically active regions.
4. Residual (Erosional) Mountains
- Formed by erosion of existing mountains, leaving behind harder rock formations.
- Examples:
✅ Nilgiri Hills (India), Sierra Nevada (Spain), Catskill Mountains (USA).
🔹 Characteristics:
- Formed by weathering and erosion over millions of years.
- Shorter and less rugged than fold or block mountains.
5. Dome Mountains
- Formed when magma pushes up the Earth’s crust but does not erupt.
- Examples:
✅ Black Hills (USA), Adirondack Mountains (USA).
🔹 Characteristics:
- Rounded, dome-like appearance.
- Formed due to the upward pressure of molten rock.
Importance of Mountains
✅ Source of Rivers – Many major rivers originate in mountains (e.g., Ganga from the Himalayas).
✅ Climate Regulation – Influence rainfall, wind patterns, and temperature.
✅ Biodiversity Hotspots – Home to unique plants and animals.
✅ Tourism & Adventure Sports – Trekking, skiing, and mountaineering (e.g., Mount Everest expeditions).
✅ Mineral Deposits – Rich in iron, coal, copper, gold.
✅ Agriculture & Forests – Support tea, coffee, and spice plantations.
MCQs on Mountains
1. Which is the highest mountain in the world?
a) K2
b) Kanchenjunga
c) Mount Everest
d) Mount Kilimanjaro
Answer: c) Mount Everest
2. The Himalayas are an example of which type of mountain?
a) Block Mountain
b) Fold Mountain
c) Volcanic Mountain
d) Dome Mountain
Answer: b) Fold Mountain
3. Which mountains in India are the oldest?
a) Himalayas
b) Aravalli Range
c) Satpura Range
d) Eastern Ghats
Answer: b) Aravalli Range
4. How are volcanic mountains formed?
a) Folding of tectonic plates
b) Faulting in the Earth’s crust
c) Accumulation of lava from volcanic eruptions
d) Erosion of older mountains
Answer: c) Accumulation of lava from volcanic eruptions
5. Which is an example of a block mountain?
a) Alps
b) Sierra Nevada
c) Himalayas
d) Western Ghats
Answer: b) Sierra Nevada
6. Which mountain range is known as the “Roof of the World”?
a) Rockies
b) Himalayas
c) Pamir Knot
d) Andes
Answer: c) Pamir Knot
7. Which mountain in Africa is an extinct volcano?
a) Mount Kenya
b) Mount Elgon
c) Mount Kilimanjaro
d) Mount McKinley
Answer: c) Mount Kilimanjaro
8. Which mountain range separates Europe and Asia?
a) Alps
b) Ural Mountains
c) Carpathians
d) Pyrenees
Answer: b) Ural Mountains
Short Answer Questions
1. What are fold mountains?
Fold mountains are formed by tectonic plate movements, causing layers of the Earth’s crust to fold. Examples: Himalayas, Alps, Andes.
2. What is a block mountain?
Block mountains are formed due to faulting in the Earth’s crust, leading to uplifted landmasses. Examples: Black Forest (Germany), Sierra Nevada (USA).
3. How are volcanic mountains formed?
Volcanic mountains form due to lava eruptions from inside the Earth, cooling and solidifying. Examples: Mount Fuji, Mount Vesuvius, Mount St. Helens.
4. What are residual mountains?
Residual mountains are formed by erosion of existing mountains over time. Examples: Nilgiri Hills, Sierra Nevada (Spain).
5. What is the significance of mountains?
Mountains provide water sources, biodiversity, climate control, minerals, tourism, and agriculture.
Conclusion
Mountains are essential landforms that impact climate, biodiversity, water resources, and human activities. Their formation, types, and importance make them a crucial topic in Geography and General Studies.
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