Mountains
⭐ MasteredMountains are very high landforms. Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the tallest above sea level at about 8,849 metres.
Mountains can still grow taller because of moving tectonic plates.
All about Mountains
Mountains are very high landforms that rise steeply above the land around them. They form in several ways, including when tectonic plates push together, when volcanoes erupt and when rock is worn down by ice and water over time.
Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the tallest mountain above sea level, at about 8,849 metres. Mountains affect the weather because they force air to rise and cool, which often creates rain on one side and dry land on the other.
They are often formed when plates of the Earth's crust push together and fold the rock upwards.
Mountains are cold at the top, because the air becomes thinner and cooler as you climb higher. They provide homes for many animals and plants, and they supply rivers with water from melting snow and ice.
🎮 Try it yourself!
Loading…
👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows a mountain being pushed up as plates of the Earth's crust move together. Watch how the peak rises higher while the snow line stays at the top.
Real-life uses of Mountains
- Providing water for rivers when snow melts in spring
- Supporting skiing, climbing and hiking
- Creating natural borders between countries
Frequently asked questions about Mountains
What is the difference between a hill and a mountain?
A mountain is usually much higher and steeper than a hill. There is no exact height, but most mountains are over 600 metres.
Why is it cold at the top of a mountain?
The air gets thinner and cooler with height, because there is less air pressing down to hold in the heat.
Which is the tallest mountain in the solar system?
Olympus Mons on Mars is the tallest known volcano and mountain in the Solar System, at about 22 km high.