Types of Mountains Classification

Questions and Answers

Which mountain range is an example of the Hercynian mountains?

Black Forest (correct)

Himalayas

Rocky Mountains

Appalachians

During which geological period did the Caledonian mountains originate?

Devonian (correct)

Carboniferous

Precambrian

Tertiary

Which classification includes the Himalayas?

Fold mountains (correct)

Residual mountains

Volcanic mountains

Block mountains

What are examples of oceanic mountains?

Mauna Kea Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of Alpine mountain systems?

They form during the Tertiary Period. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mountains would be classified as circum-erosional or residual?

Aravalis Signup and view all the answers

Which of these mountains originated from tectonic forces?

Taurus Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of block mountains?

They result from faulting and uplift. Signup and view all the answers

What type of mountains are considered relict or residual?

Aravalis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an inland mountain?

The Kunlun Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a symmetrical fold?

The axial plane is vertical. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fold has an inclined axial plane and results in one limb being overturned?

Overturned fold Signup and view all the answers

What geological event is associated with the formation of the Aravalli Range?

Aravalli-Delhi orogeny Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a syncline?

It consists of progressively younger strata outwards. Signup and view all the answers

What defines very old fold mountains?

They have rounded features and are more than 500 million years old. Signup and view all the answers

Fold mountains are primarily formed due to which type of geological forces?

Compressive forces Signup and view all the answers

What is true about recumbent folds?

They have an essentially horizontal axial plane. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of old fold mountains?

They usually have high elevation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mountain ranges is classified as an example of Alpine or Young Fold Mountains?

Rockies Signup and view all the answers

What type of fold mountains are characterized by wavy patterns and well-developed systems of synclines and anticlines?

Simple fold mountains Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with fold mountains?

Wide expanse with low elevation Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is often found in complex fold mountains, particularly in the Himalayas?

Nappes Signup and view all the answers

How do fold mountains typically influence the climate?

They significantly influence climate on both micro and macro scales. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of the rock strata in fold mountains regarding their formation?

They contain fossils indicating formation after sediment accumulation in marine environments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding seismic activity in folded mountain regions?

Recurrent seismicity is a common feature. Signup and view all the answers

What mineral resources are commonly found in fold mountains?

Tin, copper, and gold Signup and view all the answers

What happens during faulting in geology?

The earth's crust experiences significant displacement. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fault involves horizontal movement primarily?

Strike-slip fault Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a normal fault?

The hanging wall moves downward. Signup and view all the answers

What do we call a downthrown block between two normal faults?

Graben Signup and view all the answers

Which type of boundary is characterized by transform faults?

Transform boundary Signup and view all the answers

What causes the formation of a rift valley?

Tension causing central sections to sink. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of oblique-slip faults?

They combine both strike-slip and dip-slip components. Signup and view all the answers

Block mountains are formed primarily due to which geological process?

Faulting on a large scale. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a reverse fault?

It is characterized by vertical movement upwards. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to raised blocks of crust in faulting?

Horst Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification of Mountains by Period of Origin

Orogenic Movements: Nine major mountain-building movements have occurred; most recent include Caledonian, Hercynian, and Alpine orogenies.
Precambrian Mountains: Formed 4,600 to 541 million years ago; remnants like Laurentian and Algoman mountains exist due to upheaval and metamorphosis.
Caledonian Mountains: Emerged from movements 430 to 380 million years ago; includes Appalachians and Mahadeo mountain ranges.
Hercynian Mountains: Developed during upper Carboniferous to Permian periods (340 to 225 million years ago); examples include Vosges and Ural Mountains.
Alpine Mountains: Originated in the Tertiary period (65 to 7 million years ago); include the Rockies, Himalayas, and Alps, characterized by rugged terrain.

Classification of Mountains by Mode of Origin

Tectonic Mountains: Comprised of:
- Fold Mountains: Himalayas, Rockies, Andes; formed by compressive forces.
- Block Mountains: Created from faulting; examples include Vosges and Vindhya mountains.
- Volcanic Mountains: Mountains of accumulation like Mount Fuji and Kilimanjaro.
Circum-Erosional or Residual Mountains: Old remnants formed by denudation, such as the Aravalis and Ural Mountains; may evolve from dissected plateaus.

Classification of Mountains by Location

Continental Mountains:
- Coastal examples: Rockies, Appalachians, Ghats.
- Inland examples: Himalayas, Urals, Kunlun.
Oceanic Mountains: Found on continental shelves; Mauna Kea is notable for being tall from ocean floor to summit.

Fold Mountains

Folds in Geology: Formed from compressive forces; consist of anticlines (upward folds) and synclines (downward folds).
Types of Folds:
- Symmetrical: Vertical axial plane.
- Asymmetrical: Inclined axial plane.
- Isoclinal: Parallel limbs.
- Overturned: Highly inclined folds.
- Recumbent: Horizontal axial plane.
Characteristics:
- Recent in origin, extending over great lengths.
- Typically have concave one side and convex the other; rich in minerals like tin and gold.

Fault in Geology

Definition: A fault is a crack in the Earth's surface resulting from displacement during stress.
Types of Faults:
- Strike-Slip Fault: Lateral movement; minor vertical displacement.
- Dip-Slip Faults:
  - Normal Fault: Hanging wall moves down.
  - Reverse Fault: Hanging wall moves up.
- Rift Valley System: Formed by downdropping between two blocks; East African Rift as an example.

Block Mountains

Formation: Occur due to faulting; uplifted blocks termed horsts, while lowered blocks are grabens. Examples include the Great African Rift Valley.
Plateaus: Surrounding blocks can subside while the middle block remains elevated, characteristic of high plateau regions.

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Description

Explore the various classifications of mountains based on their period of origin. This quiz discusses different orogenic movements, including the Caledonian, Hercynian, and Alpine orogenies, as well as Precambrian mountains and their geological history.