Mountains
There are three main types of mountains, fold mountains, block mountains and volcanoes.
Fold Mountains
The most common type of mountain in the world are called fold mountains.The tectonic plates that make up the earth's surface are constantly moving and colliding with each other. As they are pushed together, the earths crust is forced upwards, forming fold mountains. The Rocky Mountains in North America and the Himalayan Mountains in Asia are examples.
For more information go to....
http://education.nationalgeographic.com.au/education/encyclopedia/fold-mountain/?ar_a=1
Or......
http://www.mountainprofessor.com/folded-mountains.html
The most common type of mountain in the world are called fold mountains.The tectonic plates that make up the earth's surface are constantly moving and colliding with each other. As they are pushed together, the earths crust is forced upwards, forming fold mountains. The Rocky Mountains in North America and the Himalayan Mountains in Asia are examples.
For more information go to....
http://education.nationalgeographic.com.au/education/encyclopedia/fold-mountain/?ar_a=1
Or......
http://www.mountainprofessor.com/folded-mountains.html
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Fault-Block Mountains
These mountains form along cracks or faults in the Earth's crust. So instead of folding, like with fold mountains, block mountains break up into chunks and move up or down. The layers of rock on one side of the fault line are forced up, while the ones are forced down, leaving a depression in the earth called a rift valley. Examples of fault-block mountains include the Sierra Nevada mountains.
For more information go to.....
http://www.mountainprofessor.com/fault-block-mountains.html
These mountains form along cracks or faults in the Earth's crust. So instead of folding, like with fold mountains, block mountains break up into chunks and move up or down. The layers of rock on one side of the fault line are forced up, while the ones are forced down, leaving a depression in the earth called a rift valley. Examples of fault-block mountains include the Sierra Nevada mountains.
For more information go to.....
http://www.mountainprofessor.com/fault-block-mountains.html
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Volcanoes
Volcanic mountains are created when magma from beneath the Earth makes its way to the surface, usually making a hole in a weaker area of the crust. As the molten material cools and builds up with each eruption, the mountain is formed. Some of the largest mountains in the world were created this way, such as Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt. Rainier in the US.
For more information go to...;..
http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00795/volcano.html
Or.....
http://www.familyonbikes.org/educate/lessons/volcanoes.htm
Volcanic mountains are created when magma from beneath the Earth makes its way to the surface, usually making a hole in a weaker area of the crust. As the molten material cools and builds up with each eruption, the mountain is formed. Some of the largest mountains in the world were created this way, such as Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt. Rainier in the US.
For more information go to...;..
http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00795/volcano.html
Or.....
http://www.familyonbikes.org/educate/lessons/volcanoes.htm
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Climate
Mountains are not found in any particular climate, though the temperature is usually lower at high elevations. The climate on a mountain varies depending on the altitude. Near the bottom there may be a tropical climate, whilst the peaks may be covered in ice. The highest level of a mountain is often bare rock and snow.
Mountain weather conditions can change dramatically from one hour to the next. For example, in just a few minutes a thunder storm can roll in when the sky was perfectly clear, and in just a few hours the temperatures can drop from extremely hot temperatures to temperatures that are below freezing.(http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/mountains/climate.htm)
To read more go to...
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/mountains/climate.htm
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Flora and Fauna
The animals and plant life around mountains will vary depending on the location and weather conditions. Mountains that are covered in forest will be a home to many different types of birds and other small animals, while mountains that are simply covered in snow with little vegetation will have less wildlife.
To read about the flora and fauna in the Snowy Mountains go to.....
http://alpinehabitats.com.au/our-snowy-mountains-accommodation/flora-fauna-habitat/
Or.......
http://www.snowymountains.com.au/about/flora-fauna/
Or to read about the Blue Mountains go to.......
http://www.bluemountainswonderland.com/2922/flora-fauna-geology/
The animals and plant life around mountains will vary depending on the location and weather conditions. Mountains that are covered in forest will be a home to many different types of birds and other small animals, while mountains that are simply covered in snow with little vegetation will have less wildlife.
To read about the flora and fauna in the Snowy Mountains go to.....
http://alpinehabitats.com.au/our-snowy-mountains-accommodation/flora-fauna-habitat/
Or.......
http://www.snowymountains.com.au/about/flora-fauna/
Or to read about the Blue Mountains go to.......
http://www.bluemountainswonderland.com/2922/flora-fauna-geology/