
Mountain | Definition, Characteristics, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Feb 26, 2025 · mountain, landform that rises prominently above its surroundings, generally exhibiting steep slopes, a relatively confined summit area, and considerable local relief. Mountains generally are understood to be larger than hills, but the term has no …
Physical features and formation of mountains | Britannica
mountain, Landform that rises well above its surroundings, generally exhibiting steep slopes, a relatively confined summit area, and considerable local relief (inequalities of elevation). Mountains are considered larger than hills, but the term has no standardized geologic meaning.
mountain - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
Although most mountain chains share certain common features, mountains can be broadly grouped into five specific types. Dome Mountains. Dome mountains are formed where a region of flat-lying sedimentary rocks is warped or bowed upward making a structural dome.
mountain - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
A mountain is a landform that rises high above its surroundings. Taller than a hill, it usually has steep slopes and a rounded or sharp peak. Mountains are rarely found alone. Groups of mountains are called ranges. Lines of ranges form mountain belts.
Mountain - Tectonics, Creation, Destruction | Britannica
Feb 26, 2025 · Mountain - Tectonics, Creation, Destruction: Mountains and mountain belts exist because tectonic processes have created and maintained high elevations in the face of erosion, which works to destroy them.
Mountain ecosystem | Ecology, Flora & Fauna | Britannica
Mountain ecosystem, complex of living organisms in mountainous areas. Mountain lands provide a scattered but diverse array of habitats in which a large range of plants and animals can be found. At higher altitudes harsh environmental conditions generally prevail, and a …
Alps - Mountains, Glaciers, Valleys | Britannica
Feb 20, 2025 · The highest mountains, composed of autochthonous crystalline rocks, are found in the west in the Mont Blanc massif and also in the massif centring on Finsteraarhorn (14,022 feet) that divides the cantons of Valais and Bern.
Geography and physical features of the Alps | Britannica
Alps, Mountain system, south-central Europe. The Alps extend in a crescent about 750 mi (1,200 km) from the Mediterranean coast between France and Italy to Vienna and cover more than 80,000 sq mi (207,000 sq km). Several peaks rise above …
Sierra Nevada | U.S. Mountain Range, Physical Features & History ...
Apr 1, 2025 · Sierra Nevada, major mountain range of western North America, running along the eastern edge of the U.S. state of California. Its great mass lies between the large Central Valley depression to the west and the Basin and Range Province to the east.
Himalayas | Definition, Location, History, Countries, Mountains, …
5 days ago · Himalayas are a great mountain system of Asia forming a barrier between the Plateau of Tibet to the north and the alluvial plains of the Indian subcontinent to the south. The Himalayas include the highest peaks in the world, most notably Mount Everest. Learn more about the mountain system.