Question

What are the three most common types of mountain? Give a brief description and an example of each.

Answer 1

The three most common types of mountains are fault-block, folded, and volcanic mountains. Fault-block mountains occur at divergent boundaries. The tension causes large blocks of crust to drop lower than other blocks. The Sierra Nevadas are fault-block mountains. Folded mountains occur at convergent boundaries. They are the result of compression. When rock layers are squeezed together, they push upward forming mountains. The Appalachian Mountains are folded mountains. Volcanic mountains are located at convergent boundaries over subduction zones. They are formed when magma rises to the surface and cools. The Hawaiian islands are volcanic mountains.