Mountains

By Carver, Jo and Michael

Fold MountainsFold Mountains• A fold mountain is formed when

two tectonic plates collide together and crumple upwards.

• Upward folds are called anticlines and downward folds are synclines.

• Fold mountains are the most common type of mountain in the world.

Examples of well-known Fold Mountains:

The Himalayas The Alps The Andes The Rockies The Urals

Volcanic MountainsVolcanic Mountains• Volcanic mountains are formed

by volcanoes.

• When a volcano erupts, magma and ashes pile onto the sides of the mountain.

• The magma hardens and forms a crust in a cone shape.

Examples of well-known Volcanic Mountains:

Mount St. Helens Mount Pinatubo Mount Kea Mount Loa

Dome MountainsDome Mountains• Dome mountains are formed

when magma forces up under the earth to produce a mountain.

• Dome mountains never erupt magma. But they may develop cracks in the outer crust that lets off gas, which may make the mountain explode.

• The areas around dome mountains are always flat.

Examples of well-known Dome Mountains:

Mount Kea

Plateau MountainsPlateau Mountains• Plateau mountains are

formed by erosion.

• Plateau mountains are formed when big flat plain areas are pushed upwards by the sea.

• Plateau mountains are mostly found beside fold mountains.

Examples of Plateau Mountains:

New Zealand Mountains

Block MountainsBlock Mountains• Block mountains are formed

when cracks in the earth fill up with rocks and magma.

• Sometimes bits of rock pull apart and go higher or lower. Low mountains form valleys.

• Block mountains often have a steep front side and a sloping back side.

Examples of Block Mountains:

The Sierra Nevada Mountains The Harz Mountains

FactsFacts

• Mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide to form a ridge.

• Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.

• Mountains hold at least one tenth of the worlds population.