Mountains – Geography Quick Notes | Lazy Aspirant

Mountains

Complete Geography Quick Revision Notes

Mountains – Basic Concept

Mountains are landforms that are much higher than the surrounding land. They are usually steeper than hills and often have a sharp peak, or summit.

        
            Main Point:

            Mountains are high landforms with steep slopes and often a peak or summit.

Types of Mountains

Fold Mountains Block Mountains Volcanic Mountains

Exam Focus: The three major types covered here are Fold Mountains, Block Mountains and Volcanic Mountains.

1. Fold Mountains

Fold mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide, causing the Earth’s crust to buckle and fold. These mountains are often characterized by parallel ridges and valleys.

        
            Formation:

            Tectonic plates collide. The Earth’s crust buckles and folds.

Types of Fold Mountains

1. Young Fold Mountains

These mountains were formed by tectonic activity a few million years ago.

Examples: Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rockies, Atlas and Caucasus Mountains.

2. Old Fold Mountains

These mountains were formed by the folding of the Earth’s crust in the distant past.

Examples: Aravalli, Ural and Appalachian Mountains.

2. Block Mountains

Block mountains are formed when large areas of the Earth’s crust are broken and displaced due to vertical slippage.

        
            Formation:

            Large blocks of the Earth’s crust break and move vertically along faults.

Important Terms

Horst: A raised block of land bounded by faults, often appearing as a ridge or plateau.

Graben: A lowered block of land between two faults, often forming a valley. It is also known as a Rift Valley.

Examples: Vindhya and Satpura, Vosges Mountains, Harz Mountains and Great African Rift Valley.

3. Volcanic Mountains

Volcanic mountains are formed when magma from the Earth’s mantle rises to the surface and erupts, creating lava flows that build up over time.

        
            Formation:

            Magma rises from the mantle. It erupts at the surface. Lava flows accumulate over time and form a volcanic mountain.

Important Examples

Mt. Stromboli Mt. Cotopaxi Fujiyama Barren and Narcondam Ojos del Salado Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mt. Stromboli: It is known as the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.

Examples: Mt. Stromboli, Mt. Cotopaxi, Fujiyama, Barren and Narcondam, Ojos del Salado and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Quick Comparison – Types of Mountains

Type	Formation and Examples
Fold Mountains	Formed by collision of tectonic plates and folding of the Earth’s crust. Examples include Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rockies and Atlas.
Block Mountains	Formed by breaking and vertical displacement of large blocks of the Earth’s crust. Examples include Vindhya, Satpura, Vosges and Harz.
Volcanic Mountains	Formed when magma rises, erupts and lava accumulates over time. Examples include Stromboli, Cotopaxi, Fujiyama and Kilimanjaro.

Exam-Oriented Important Facts

Young Fold Mountains: Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rockies, Atlas and Caucasus.

Old Fold Mountains: Aravalli, Ural and Appalachian Mountains.

        
            Block Mountains:

            Horst is a raised block. Graben is a lowered block.

Volcanic Mountains: Magma rises, erupts and lava accumulates to form the mountain.

Quick Revision – Mountains

Topic	Key Point
Mountain	A high landform that is generally steeper than hills and often has a sharp peak or summit.
Fold Mountain	Formed by collision of tectonic plates and folding of the Earth’s crust.
Young Fold	Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rockies, Atlas and Caucasus.
Old Fold	Aravalli, Ural and Appalachian Mountains.
Block Mountain	Formed by breaking and vertical displacement of large blocks of the Earth’s crust.
Horst	A raised block of land bounded by faults.
Graben	A lowered block of land between two faults, often forming a valley.
Volcanic Mountain	Formed when magma rises, erupts and lava accumulates over time.
Stromboli	Known as the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.
Examples	Stromboli, Cotopaxi, Fujiyama, Barren and Narcondam, Ojos del Salado and Kilimanjaro.

Easy Memory Tricks

Three Main Types: Fold Mountains, Block Mountains and Volcanic Mountains.

Block Mountain: Horst means raised block. Graben means lowered block.

Volcanic Mountain: Magma rises from the mantle, erupts at the surface and lava accumulates to form the mountain.

Mountains | Geography Notes | Lazy Aspirants Short Detailed Notes