In the world, there are many things around us and just some of it that we know what is it and how was it made? but there are some simple things that we know and can see them every day, and we are not interset on how they came formed and how was it made? just like the Earth, Ocean, Rainy, Mining, Desert, and Mountain.
Have You Ever Wondered...
How are mountains made?Are mountains still being formed?
The humongous oceans and dense forests to sweeping plains and rolling hills, nature paint a vivid picture that can take your best breath away.
Maybe one of the most incredible sights on Earth, though, is a majestic mountain range. From the Himalayas to the Rocky Mountains, there's just something about those tall, craggy peaks that stirs the soul.
Have you ever wondered how mountains got there, though? Did they fall out of the sky and land where they are?
There are several different ways that mountains can form. One thing these methods have in common is that they all take millions of years or less than.
Many mountains were formed as a result of Earth's tectonic plates smashing together. The Earth's crust is made up of multiple tectonic plates that still move today as a result of geologic activity below the surface.
When two tectonic plates converge, their edges can crumple kind of like an aluminum can do when you crush it. The result of these tectonic plates crumpling is huge slabs of rock being pushed up into the air. What are those called? They are Mountains.
For example, the tectonic plates that lie underneath India and Asia crashed into each other over 25 million years ago. And what happened? The Himalayas, including Mount Everest, were formed. And they're still pushing against each other. That means the Himalayas continue to grow even today!
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Himalayas Mountain range in Asia |
Mountains can also form along natural fault lines. These are places in Earth's crust where tectonic plates grind against each other. Occasionally, two plates will grind together, resulting in one plate lifting up and tilting over. The result? A mountain range, like the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.
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Sierra Nevada Mountains range in California |
One other way mountain form is the result of volcanic activity below the Earth's surface. Sometimes molten rock called magma gets pushed up toward the surface. When that happens, it cools and forms hard rock. Eventually, the softer rock above it erodes to reveal a dome-shaped mountain below. If the magma actually breaks through to the surface, we will get a volcano!
In an area with a high plateau, rivers and streams can carve away stone in the form of deep channels. Over millions of years, what is left is a mountain between deep river valleys!