MOUNTAINS

Reporter:

JUDITH PADUA PLAZO

 a long, linear zone in the Earths
crust where the rocks have been
intensely deformed by horizontal
stresses and generally intruded by
molten rock material. The topography
can be high and rugged, or it can be
worn down to a surface of low relief.
How are mountains formed?
Mountains are formed by slow but gigantic
movements of the earth's crust (the
outer layer of the Earth).
The Earth's crust is made up of 6 huge slabs
called plates, which fit together like a
jigsaw puzzle. When two slabs of the
earth's crust smash into each other the
land can be pushed upwards, forming
mountains. Many of the greatest mountain
ranges of the world have formed because
of enormous collisions between
continents.
The process of mountain building
is called OROGENESIS.
The factors that appear to be most
important in this process are:
Rock sequences, that mountain
building involves the three-phase
cycle made up:
1. Geosynclinal sedimentation and
contemporaneous subsidence;
2. Compression and deformation.
3. Uplift and erosion.
Structural deformation, this is
deformed compression, in which
the scale of deformation ranges
from wrinkled grains or fossils in
the rocks to folds tens of
kilometers wide.
Metamorphism, refers to changes
in the mineral composition and
texture of rocks subjected to high
temperature and pressure within
the earth.
Igneous activity, this is the
concentration of the Earths
lighter material in the continental
crust which takes place in two
steps:
1. Begins at a spreading center
where partial melting of periodite
in the upper mantle generates a
basaltic magma, which rises to
form oceanic crust.
2. It involves a partial melting of
the oceanic crust forming a silica-
rich magma, which is then
emplaced in the mountain belt as
granitic intrusions and andesitic
volcanic products.
 What are the General
Classification of Mountains?
1. Geographically and
chronologically, according to
their arrangement.
2. Structurally, according to their
geological stratification.
KINDS OF MOUNTAINS
1. Folded mountains or
complex mountains- which
result from folding of
sedimentary or lava beds or
may result from variable
resistance to erosion. In the
dipping strata of the folds,
weak beds are eroded first,
leaving resistant beds as
synclinal or monoclinal ridges.
They are the largest and most
complex mountain systems.
2. Volcanic mountains these
result from the accumulation
of lava
and pyroclastics of volcanic
events.
Each of the peaks was formed
by
the gradual building up of its
slopes. This occurred mainly
by accumulation of volcanic
fragments and lava from
successive eruptions.
Erosion volcanic mountains these
are single mountains or a group of
mountains that have been formed
by the erosion of streams. Each
forces raise rocks to high
altitudes, therefore deepening the
valleys and isolating their peaks.
Individual mountain ranges are
formed by one kind of diastrophic
movement or volcanic activity.
They may be extended ridges or a
number of parallel ridges.
3. Fault-block
mountains
these are
mountains that
are formed by
the displacement
of a rock along a
fault.
4. Upwarped
mountains these
are produced in
association with a
broad arching of
the crust or in some
instances because
of vertical
displacement along
high angle faults.
 Young Mature Old

High elevation still elevation not very low elevation,

growing high, peaks lowering, approaching the
stopped growing peneplane

Rugged irregular Rounded tops, covered Monad rocks stand out

skyline, good scenery, with vegetation
snowcapped

Steep slope with base Uniform gentle slopes Region rather flat with
talus with covered talus low, rolling hills

Young rushing Mature, slow-flowing Streams old, move

streams, often streams water gaps, slowly, have low banks
torrential with deep valleys much wider
ravines, narrow valleys

Avalanches common, Avalanches rare;

landslides and earthquakes unknown
earthquake occur

life history of mountains:

PLATEAUS
- an extensive upland region. It is
also often referred to as
tableland, since it is essentially
flat topped and stands
conspicously above an adjacent
land area. Along its outer margin it
gives way to hills or mountains
 The elevation of most plateaus of
the world exceeds 2,000 ft. Height
above the sea level.
Origin of Plateaus
 Most plateau regions are the
result of diastrophism, where the
two broadest kinds of deformation
processes are epligrogeny, which
involves the relative rise and fall
of broad segments of the crust
with little or no folding.. Some are
the result of volcanism.
 Economic Importance of
Plateaus:
1. It can be dammed to impound the water in large
reservoirs. The stored water can then be used for irrigation
and for generation of electricity.
2. It reveal ore deposits like silver ,which of great advantage
to tropical regions, cold and dry climate.
3. Crops can be grown in their upper parts where the
temperature is lower .
4. It can be used as pasture lands.
 Life History of Plateaus:
1. Young plateaus have more rounded surfaces and gentler
slopes, with soil covering and some talus.
2. Mature plateaus are generally called mountains,
since they are rugged areas. Numerous streams
have cut wide valleys through the broad surfaces of
the original plateau.
3. Old-age plateaus are worn almost level, with mere remnants
of the original plateau. In arid regions, they are steep walled
with flat upper surfaces.