How Mountains Are Formed

Mountain Formation

Fold Mountains

• Result from the collision of two tectonic plates.
• The Earth's crust buckles and folds due to pressure.
• Layers of rock are squeezed upwards, creating mountain ranges.
• Example: Victorian Alps.

Block Mountains

• Formed when large sections of the Earth's crust are fractured by faults.
• Some crustal blocks are raised, while others are lowered.
• This process defines steep-sided mountain ranges.
• Example: The Grampians.

Volcanic Mountains

• Created by volcanic activity as molten rock (magma) erupts from beneath the Earth's crust.
• Magma cools and solidifies upon reaching the surface, gradually forming mountains.
• Example: Mount Macedon.

Hawaiian Island Formation

• Formed by volcanic activity over a hotspot in the Earth's mantle.
• The movement of the Pacific tectonic plate over the hotspot leads to eruptions.
• Repeated lava flows build up islands over time.
• As the plate moves, new islands are created while older ones erode.

Key Terms

• Hanging wall: The rock mass above a fault that inclines toward another block.
• Footwall: The block of rock beneath a fault that is situated below the hanging wall.

Learning Intentions

• Understanding diverse mountain formation processes and their geological significance.

Explore the various types of mountains, including fold mountains, block mountains, and volcanic mountains. This quiz will help you understand the geological processes behind mountain formation. Be sure to read pages 16-19 of your textbook for detailed insights.