Types of Mountains and How They’re Formed
Fold Mountains (Folded Mountains)
Folded Mountains are the most common type of mountain. Some of the world’s most famous and expansive mountain ranges are folded mountains, including the Himalayas in Asia and the Rockies in the United States. Folded mountains are formed when two tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s crust collide and their edges crumble. A similar effect can be observed when pushing two ends of a piece of paper together. The upward folds are called anticlines, while the downward folds are called synclines.
Fault Block Mountains (Block Mountains)
Fault Block Mountains are formed faults or cracks in the Earth’s crust force some materials or blocks of rock up and others down. Contrary to Folded Mountains, Block mountains do not push up like folds of a paper. With Fault Block Mountains, the Earth fractures, or pulls apart. This causes the Earth to break up into blocks and chunks. Sometimes these blocks of rock move up and down as they move apart and blocks of rock end up being stacked on top of one another. Fault Block Mountains often have a steep front side and a sloping back side. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are an example of Block Mountains.
Dome Mountains
Dome Mountains are created when large amounts of magma push up from below the Earth’s crust, but never actually break through the surface. Because the magma never actually erupts, it pushes up overlaying rock layers. Eventually, the magma cools and forms hardened rock. The uplifted area created by the rising magma is dome shaped and is where Dome Mountains get their name. The rock layers over the hardened magma are warped upward to form the dome. But the rock layers of the surrounding area remain flat. Because the dome is higher than its surroundings, erosion by wind and rain occurs from the top, resulting in a circular mountain range.
Volcanic Mountains
As the name suggests, Volcanic Mountains are formed by volcanoes. This type of mountain is formed when molten rock, or magma, erupts and piles upon the surface. At this point, the magma is called lava. When this lava and ash settle and cool, they harden in different layers. Volcanic Mountains are formed when these rock and lava layers form over top of each other over long periods of time. Mount Saint Helens in Washington State is an example of a Volcanic Mountain.
Plateau Mountains (Erosion Mountains)
Contrary to all of the mountain types above, Plateau Mountains are not formed by internal activity. Rather, these mountains are formed by Erosion. Plateaus are large flat areas that have been pushed above sea level by forces within the Earth, or have been formed by layers of lava. Plateau Mountains are often found near Folded Mountains. As years pass, streams and rivers, along with wind, erode valleys through the plateau, leaving mountains standing between the valleys. The Mountains in New Zealand are an example of Plateau Mountains.
Logging Requirements
Please email me with the following information. Please do not post answers in your log. Any logs with answers in them or logs that do not send me their answers will be deleted.
1. Looking at the Mountain from the posted coordinates, and the list of mountain types above, which type do you think that it is? Why?
2. Looking at the other four types of mountains (excluding your choice from #1) do any of the factors in these formations appear to play a role here? If so, which?
3. From the posted coordinates, estimate the height of the mountain and the distance from where you stand. Give it your best guess.
4. At the posted coordinates you will see a sign. Tell me the elevation written on this sign.
5. Proceed to the second way point. Here, tell me the word written above Tantalus. Then, tell me the names of at least three animals that can be found on this mountain.
6. If you wish, please post a picture with Mount Tantalus in the background. Please do not post pictures of any information required for completing this cache or your log may be deleted.