How are mountains formed? How are they categorized?

Mountains are categorized by the way in which they are formed. The most common type of mountains are called fold mountains. They are created over millions of years. These mountains are formed when two tectonic plates collide head-on and their edges are thrown up, like a flat piece of paper rising up when pressure is applied to its ends. Examples of Fold Mountains are the Himalayas in Asia, the Alps in Europe and the Andes in South America.

Another category of mountains are called Block Mountains. These mountains form when faults or cracks in the Earth’s surface cause some rocks to rise up and others to go down. The uplifted parts are called ‘horsts’ and the lowered parts are called ‘graben’. The Rhine valley (graben) and the Vosges Mountain (horst) in Europe are examples of Block Mountains.

Dome Mountains are the result of molten magma pushing its way up from the mantle of the Earth into the crust. This magma or melted rock does not erupt onto the Earth’s surface but pushes up the overlying layers. The force or pressure of the magma produces a domelike shape on top.

Another category of mountains are volcanic mountains. These are formed when molten rock or magma deep within the earth, erupts, breaks through the Earth’s crust and piles up on the surface. Magma is called lava when it breaks through the Earth’s crust. Many layers of lava cool and solidify to form mountains. Mount St. Helens in North America and Mount Loa in Hawaii are examples of Volcanic Mountains.

Plateau Mountains, also called Erosion Mountains, are large flat areas that have been pushed above sea level by forces within the Earth. They are then worn down by wind and water into mesas and canyons. The Tibetan Plateau is the largest plateau in the world.

Picture Credit : Google

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