A mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them. The study of mountains is called Orography.
Exogeology deals with planetary mountains, which in that branch of science are usually called montes (singular—mons). The highest mountain on earth is the Mount Everest 8,848 m (29,029 ft). The highest known mountain in the Solar System is Olympus Mons on the planet Mars at 21,171 m (69,459 ft).
Contents 1 Definition 2 Characteristics 3 Geology 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 Notes 7 Further reading 8 External links // Definition The view of Jeff Davis Peak from the glacier-carved summit of Wheeler Peak, Nevada. Because Boundary Peak, Nevada is partially in California, and is actually a sub-peak of Montgomery Peak, the shorter Wheeler Peak can be considered the tallest mountain in Nevada.There is no universally accepted definition of a mountain. Elevation, volume, relief, steepness, spacing and continuity has been used as criteria for defining a mountain.1 In the Oxford English Dictionary a mountain is defined as "a natural elevation of the earth surface rising more or less abruptly from the surrounding level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable."1
Whether a landform is called a mountain may depend on usage among the local people. The highest point in San Francisco, California, is called Mount Davidson, notwithstanding its height of 300 m (980 ft), which makes it ten feet short of the minimum for a mountain in American appellation. Similarly, Mount Scott outside Lawton, Oklahoma is only 251 m (823 ft) from its base to its highest point.
Definitions of "mountain" include:2
Height over base of at least 2,500 m (8,202 ft). Height over base of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).–2,500 m (8,202 ft). with a slope greater than 2 degrees Height over base of 1,000 m (3,281 ft).–1,500 m (4,921 ft). with a slope greater than 5 degrees Local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation greater than 300 m (984 ft)., or 300 m (984 ft)–1,000 m (3,281 ft). if local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation is greater than 300 m (984 ft).By this definition, mountains cover 64% of Asia, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the Earth's land mass is mountainous and 10% of people live in mountainous regions.3 Most of the world's rivers are fed from mountain sources, and more than half of humanity depends on mountains for water.45
Characteristics Mountain in Carbon County, UtahHigh mountains, as well as those located close to the Earth's poles, reach into the colder layers of the atmosphere. They are consequently subject to glaciation, and erosion through frost action. Such processes produce the peak shape. Some of these mountains have glacial lakes, created by melting glaciers; for example, there are an estimated 3,000 glacial lakes in Bhutan. Mountains can be eroded and weathered, altering their characteristics over time.
Mount Olympus in Greece. Alps mountain view in SwitzerlandTall mountains have different climatic conditions at the top than at the base, and will thus have different life zones at different altitudes. At the highest elevations, trees cannot grow, and whatever life may be present will be of the alpine type, resembling tundra.6 Just below the tree line, one may find subalpine forests of needleleaf trees, which can withstand cold, dry conditions.7 In regions with dry climates, the tendency of mountains to have higher precipitation as well as lower temperatures also provides for varying conditions, which in turn lead to differing flora and fauna.68 Some plants and animals found in these zones tend to become isolated since the conditions above and below a particular zone will be inhospitable and thus constrain their movements or dispersal. On the other hand, birds, being capable of flight, may take advantage of montane habitats and migrate into a region that would otherwise not provide appropriate habitat.9 These isolated ecological systems, or microclimates, are known as sky islands.10
The reason mountains are colder than lowlands has to do with how the sun heats the surface of the earth. Practically all the heat at the surface of the Earth comes from the sun, in the form of solar energy. The sun's radiation is absorbed by land and sea, whence the heat is transferred into the air. Air is an insulator, so conduction of heat from the ground to the atmosphere is negligible. Heat is mainly transferred into the atmosphere through convection and radiation. Warm air rises because of its buoyancy, leading to convective circulation, in the form of thermals, within the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere. When heat radiates from the surface of the earth, it is released as long-wave radiation, which does not travel through the air efficiently. This radiant heat is absorbed temporarily by gasses in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. Thus, the lower portion of the troposphere—more than 50% of all air lies below the altitude of the summit of Mt. Everest—forms a blanket of air keeping the surface warm. This is the Greenhouse Effect. The higher one goes in altitude, the less of this blanket there is to keep in the heat. Thus, higher elevations, such as mountains, are colder than surrounding lowlands.11 Air temperature in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, decreases with gains in altitude. The rate at which the temperature drops with elevation, called the environmental lapse rate, is not constant (it can fluctuate throughout the day or seasonally and also regionally), but a normal lapse rate is 5.5°C per 1,000 m (3°F per 3,000 ft).1213 The temperature continues to drop up to a height of about 9–16 km, where it does not decrease further. However, this is higher than the highest mountaintop.
Mountains are generally less preferable for human habitation than lowlands; the weather is often harsher, and there is little level ground suitable for agriculture. At very high altitudes, there is less oxygen in the air and less protection against solar radiation (UV). Acute mountain sickness (caused by hypoxia—a lack of oxygen in the blood) affects over half of lowlanders who spend more than a few hours above 3,500 meters (11,483 ft).
Many mountains and mountain ranges throughout the world have been left in their natural state, and are today primarily used for recreation, while others are used for logging, mining, grazing, or see little use. Some mountains offer spectacular views from their summits, while others are densely wooded. Summit accessibility is affected by height, steepness, latitude, terrain, weather. Roads, lifts, or tramways affect accessibility. Hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding are recreational activities enjoyed on mountains. Mountains that support heavy recreational use (especially downhill skiing) are often the locations of mountain resorts.
Mountains are made up of earth and rock materials. The outermost layer of the Earth or the Earth's crust is composed of six plates. When two plates move or collide each other, vast land areas are uplifted, resulting in the formation of mountains. Depending upon the geological process, as to how the mountains are formed and the mountain characteristics, there are five major types of mountains.
Fold Mountains: Fold mountains are the most common type of mountains. Examples of fold mountains are the Himalayas (Asia), the Alps (Europe). They are formed due to collision of two plates, causing folding of the Earth's crust. The fold that descends on both sides is called anticline; whereas, the fold that ascends from a common low point (on both sides) is called syncline.
Fault-Block Mountains: As the name suggests, fault mountains or fault-block mountains are formed when blocks of rock materials slide along faults in the Earth's crust. There are two types of block mountains, namely the lifted and tilted. In the former type, the mountain has two steep sides; whereas, the tilted type has one steep side and gentle sloping side. Example of fault-block mountain is the Sierra Nevada mountains (North America).
Volcanic Mountains: Volcanic mountains are formed due to volcanic eruptions, for e.g. Mount Fuji (Japan). They are formed when volcanic magma erupts and piles up on the surface of the Earth.
Dome Mountains: Dome mountains are formed when the hot magma rises from the mantle and uplifts the overlying sedimentary layer of the Earth's crust. In the process, the magma is not erupted, but it cools down and forms the core of the mountain. Example of dome mountain is the Navajo Mountain in Utah. They are called dome mountains due to their appearance that resembles dome shape.
Plateau Mountains: Plateau mountains are pseudo mountains that are formed because of erosion. An example of plateau mountain is the Catskill Mountains (New York). They usually occur near the fold mountain ranges.
There are also some mountains that are formed as a result of many forces of the Earth. Though the Rockies in North America is formed due to folding, there are mountains in the same range that are formed by faulting and doming. In nature, there is a continuous process of glaciation, soil erosion, and mechanical and chemical weathering, which altogether play a major role in altering the shape and characteristics of mountains.
Geologymountain n. ( Abbr. Mt. or Mtn. ) A natural elevation of the earth's surface having considerable mass, generally steep sides, and a height greater
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A mountain is usually produced by the movement of lithospheric plates, either orogenic movement or epeirogenic movement. The compressional forces, isostatic uplift and intrusion of igneous matter forces surface rock upward, creating a landform higher than the surrounding features. The height of the feature makes it either a hill or, if higher and steeper, a mountain. The absolute heights of features termed mountains and hills vary greatly according to an area's terrain. The major mountains tend to occur in long linear arcs, indicating tectonic plate boundaries and activity. Two types of mountain are formed depending on how the rock reacts to the tectonic forces—block mountains or fold mountains.
Compressional forces in continental collisions may cause the compressed region to thicken, so the upper surface is forced upward. To balance the weight of the earth surface, much of the compressed rock is forced downward, producing deep "mountain roots" [see the Book of "Earth", Press and Siever page.413]. Mountains therefore form downward as well as upward (see isostasy). However, in some continental collisions part of one continent may simply override part of the others, crumpling in the process.
Some isolated mountains were produced by volcanoes, including many apparently small islands that reach a great height above the ocean floor.
Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USABlock mountains are created when large areas are widely broken up by faults creating large vertical displacements. This occurrence is fairly common. The uplifted blocks are block mountains or horsts. The intervening dropped blocks are termed graben: these can be small or form extensive rift valley systems. This form of landscape can be seen in East Africa, the Vosges, the Basin and Range province of Western North America and the Rhine valley. These areas often occur when the regional stress is extensional and the crust is thinned.
The mid-ocean ridges are often referred to as undersea mountain ranges due to their bathymetric prominence.
Rock that does not fault may fold, either symmetrically or asymmetrically. The upfolds are anticlines and the downfolds are synclines: in asymmetric folding there may also be recumbent and overturned folds. The Jura Mountains are an example of folding. Over time, erosion can bring about an inversion of relief: the soft upthrust rock is worn away so the anticlines are actually lower than the tougher, more compressed rock of the synclines.
GalleryMount Everest, 8,848 metres (29,029 ft), Himalayas, Nepal, China.
K2, 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Nilkantha (mountain), 6,597 metres (21,644 ft), Himalayas, India.
Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895 metres (19,341 ft), Tanzania.
Mount Feathertop, 1,922 metres (6,306 ft), Great Dividing Range, Victoria, Australia
Pilot Mountain, 738 metres (2,421 ft), Sauratown Mountains, North Carolina, United States
Northern Appalachian Mountains, Chic-Choc Range, Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, Canada
Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), 3,952 metres (12,966 ft), Taiwan.
Finsteraarhorn, 4,274 metres (14,022 ft), Bernese Alps, Switzerland.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Brazil, 396 metres (1,299 ft), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Table Mountain Cape Town, South Africa
Tangkuban Parahu mountain in Bandung, West Java, indonesia
The Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany,
The Durmitor, the highest mountain in Montenegro
Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales
The Spinx, Bucegi, Romania
See also Environment portal Ecology portal List of mountains List of mountain types Category:Lists of mountains Mountain range List of mountain ranges List of highest mountains List of peaks by prominence Latin names of mountains List of ski areas and resorts Mountaineering Mountain building Notes ^ a b Gerrard, A. J. 1990. Mountain Environments ^ Blyth, S., Groombridge, B., Lysenko, I., Miles, L. & Newton, A. (2002). "Mountain Watch". UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK. http://www.unep-wcmc.org/mountains/mountain_watch/pdfs/WholeReport.pdf. Retrieved 2009-02-17. ^ Panos (2002). "High Stakes". http://www.panos.org.uk/?lid=278. Retrieved 2009-02-17. ^ "International Year of Freshwater 2003". http://www.wateryear2003.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=3903&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html. Retrieved 2006-12-07. ^ "The Mountain Institute". http://www.mountain.org/mountains/whymtns.cfm?slidepage=water. Retrieved 2006-12-07. ^ a b "Biotic Communities of the Colorado Plateau: C. Hart Merriam and the Life Zones Concept". http://cpluhna.nau.edu/Biota/merriam.htm. Retrieved 30 January 2010. ^ "Tree". Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003. Microsoft Corporation. 1993-2002. 60210-442-1635445-74407. ^ "Mountain Environments". United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. http://www.unep-wcmc.org/mountains/mountain_watch/pdfs/mountainEnvironments.pdf. Retrieved 30 January 2010. ^ Taylor, Richard Cachor (2005). A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona. American Birding Association. pp. 2–4. ISBN 1-878788-22-1. ^ Tweit, Susan J. (1992). The Great Southwest Nature Factbook. Alaska Northwest Books. pp. 138–141. ISBN 0-88240-434-2. ^ Lutgens, Frederick K.; Tarbuck, Edward J. (1998). The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology. Prentice Hall. pp. 15–17, 30–35, 38–40. ISBN 0-13-742974-6. ^ "Temperature". Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003. Microsoft Corporation. 1993-2002. 60210-442-1635445-74407. ^ "Atmosphere". Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003. Microsoft Corporation. 1993-2002. 60210-442-1635445-74407. Further reading Fraknoi, A., Morrison, D., & Wolff, S. (2004). Voyages to the Planets. 3rd Ed. Belmont: Thomson Books/Cole. External links Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Mountains Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gallery of mountains Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Mountain. v • d • e Earth's landforms List of landforms Mountainous landforms Mountain · Mountain range · Plateaus · Hills · Valley Continental Plain Plain · Desert · Tundra · Ice sheets River Landform River · River Delta · Lakes · Meanders · Waterfalls · Rapids · River valley Fluvial Landforms Alluvial fan · Beach · Canyons · Channel · Cave · Cliff · River Delta · Floodplain · Levee · Oasis · Swamp · Ponds Glacial Landforms Arête · Cirques · Eskers · Fjords · Glacier · Tunnel valley Oceanic and coastal landforms Atoll · Bay · Channels · Coast · Continental shelf · Coral reef · Estuary · Lagoons · Mid-ocean ridge · Oceanic trench · Peninsula · Isthmus · Islands · Sea mount Volcanic Landforms Volcanoes · Caldera · Crater Lake · Geyser · Hotspot · Oceanic ridges · Lava plain · Lava plateaus · Volcanic crater · Plugs · Wall rock · Lava dome · Submarine volcano (Guyot) Aeolian Landforms Desert · Tundra · Dry lake · Dunes · Sandhill Artificial Landforms Building · Bridge · Canals (man-made channels) · Dams · Dikes · Artificial Lakes · Polder · Artificial islands · Artificial reef · Tunnel · Quarry · Ditch · Road · Reclaimed land see also Geographical featureBONTOC, Mountain Province — The provincial government here earmarked a total of P8 million from various local sources as an initial step to respond to the increasing unemployment problems in the different parts of the province to help improve the economic condition of people living in remote communities.
Mountain
Mission Hills Rental Website.wmv
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Mountain definition, a natural elevation of the earth's surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, See more.
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MOUNTAIN LAKES - The 55 Plus Group of Mountain Lakes will resume meetings on at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, with speaker is Julie Genovese, the author of the memoir “Nothing Short of Joy.”
High Point Mountain, Sussex, NJ
The Last Man on the Mountain: The Death of an American Adventurer on K2 W. W. Norton & Company
Mountain Ridge defeated Hampshire in five games, 25-20, 23-25, 17-25, 25-22 and 15-12 Tuesday at Hampshire in high school volleyball.
By Erik Hopping for joy
Yosemitebear Mountain Giant Double Rainbow 1-8-10
My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics) Puffin Books
Translations of mountain. mountain synonyms, mountain antonyms. Information about mountain in the free online English dictionary and encyclopedia. ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/
<u><b>Bansko< b>< u> is a town and ski resort in southwestern Bulgaria located at the foot of Pirin at an altitude of 925 m above sea level It is considered to be the most developed Ski and Winter Resort in Eastern Europe and is one of the best in Europe Bansko once mainly a stockbreeding and travelling merchant community has nowadays become a centre of winter and summer tourism The mountain peaks near the town the numerous lakes and the old pine woods make it a popular site for recreation In recent years the town has gained international popularity after the start of the annual Bansko Jazz Festival and consequently the annual Bansko pop star concert featuring top pop stars The nearby village of Banya located only 5 km from the town is known for its 27 thermal mineral springs <a href= http en wikipedia org wiki Bansko >en wikipedia org wiki Bansko< a>
20100905 00 prelude to a run.mp4
The Way to Rainy Mountain University of New Mexico Press
Official site of the classic rock group Mountain. Features band member profiles, discography, tour dates, and more.
www.mountaintheband.com
The Mountain Home School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. Thursday in the Administration Building board room.
Mountain
The 2 kids that meant on a stone mountain
Go Tell It on the Mountain Dial Press Trade Paperback
Visit BOYNE vacation resorts in northern Michigan for fun and relaxation in any season of the year. Enjoy the finest in Michigan downhill skiing, golf ...
www.boyne.com
The popular sculpture Mountain Fountain by Terry Stringer will be inaugurated in its new home in Parnell this weekend.
I took this picture during my visit to Hunza and Fairy Meadows About 1 hour drive on unmetalled narrow road from KKH upto Tatoo Then 2 1 2 hour tracking on foot or mules to Fairy Meadows this place comes After reaching this place one feels in heaven Used my Canon 300D
Homes for Sale - 0 Falls At Long Mountain - Cleveland, GA 30
Brokeback Mountain [PAL, Region 2, Import]
Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain located in Whitefish, Montana in the beautiful Flathead Valley near Glacier National Park.
www.big-mountain.com
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters says it's increasing consumer purchase prices by about an expected 10% to 15% on all i K-Cup portion packs for the company's Keurig Single Cup brewing system sold in North America as green coffee prices continue to increase.
Tryst Lake sits in the Cirque of a former glacier Mount Smuts above casts a very big shadow over the snowfall of the night before
Cluck Old Hen. This time with song and fretless mountain banjo.
The Mountain Between Us: A Novel Broadway
Shawnee Peak is a Family Mountain, Offering a Variety of Terrain for Snow Sports, Ski and Stay Resort in Maine (ME), New England near New Hampshire (NH), North Conway.
shawneepeak.com
CLICK HERE TO READ MOUNTAIN HOMES & PROPERTIES Copyright 2010 Vail Daily. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Vail Daily Mountain Homes & Properties September, 8 2010 4:07 pm MST
too deep no too high
Brophy 60 vs Desert Mountain 48 01/27/04.mov
Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia Da Capo Press
It was a good week for the football teams at the top of the Mountain West Conference—four big victories against three good opponents. There were a couple bloodbaths, and MWC teams were on either side of them. So without further ado, here's the first installment of the weekly Mountain West Conference Football Rankings—and, "Hey, Kool-Aid!" Starting with the athletes from Albuquerque... Begin ...
Mountain
20100903 arrival at rome.mp4
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills - 2nd Edition Human Kinetics
Vail Mountain School's Cal DeLine, left, controls the ball against Rifle on Tuesday in Vail. DeLine scored the game's only goal in a 1-0 win for the Gore Rangers.
От 2 до 4 февруари сдружение Международен фестивал на планинарския филм организира прожекция на
I-24 in Chattanooga (09.03.2010)