How are mountains formed?

- To be able to explain how mountains are formed

Plate Tectonics

The Earth's surface is made up of a series of large plates (like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle) called tectonic plates.

These plates are in constant motion travelling at a few centimetres per year. This is called continental drift.

They move because a plume of magma is rising deep within the earth’s mantle (the outer layer of the earth)

As it moves, pressure builds up which forces the plates to move.

As they move against each other, they cause are sites of intense geologic activity, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

How are Folded Mountains formed?

Examples of Folded Mountains: • Himalayan Mountains in Asia• The Alps in Europe• T he Andes in South America• The Rockies in North America

They are formed over millions of years, as the plates continue to push up and create the folds

This is a convergent plate boundary.

They form Folded Mountains when the two plates move towards each other and collide head on.

What happens when you fold a piece of Paper?

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/17733-mountains-how-mountains-are-formed-video.htm

How are Fault Block Mountains formed? Cracks in the earths crust (faults)

Either side of the fold tries to move in oppositedirections but they are locked togetherThey will not move until enough pressurebuilds up.

When this happens they slide past each other releasing energy.

How are Volcanic Mountains Formed?For example: Mount St. Helens in North America

Formed when a plate carrying the Ocean basin (the heavier plate), dives below the plate carrying the continent. The pressure builds up.