Warmup x/x/15
Not all mountains are volcanic. See if you can come up
with at least one way a mountain could be formed that
wouldn’t involve volcanoes. (hint: think tectonic plates)
Objective
To learn about the different
kinds of mountains that can
be formed
Tonight’s Homework
p 156: review 1, 2, 4, 6
Research on mountain chain
Types of Mountains
There are a number of different types of mountains,
and we classify them on how they were formed.
The simplest variety are called fold mountains. If
we have two sections of crust pushing towards each
other, the rock and soil between will start to
crumple and fold under the pressure. Usually, the
low areas start to fill in with loose sediment.
Types of Mountains
If the crust folds in a dome shape we call it an
anticline. If it bends downward in a valley shape,
we call it a syncline. (think: valley sinks)
These can be
on a really
small scale like
shown here, or
on a larger
scale, like
entire
mountains.
anticline
syncline
Types of Mountains
Types of Mountains
Another type of mountain landform happens when
we have multiple fault sections (called blocks) all
shift relative to each other.
In a rift valley, we have two sections of land
pulling apart. The ground between shifts, falling in
some areas. This creates valleys called grabens.
Africa’s Great
Rift Valley is
a perfect
example of
this.
Types of Mountains
Types of Mountains
We can also have numerous fault blocks all tilt a
little sideways. This makes a zig-zag pattern of
blocks, like shown below.
These are called fault-block mountains. The SierraNevadas
are a perfect
example of
this kind of
mountain.
Types of Mountains
Types of Mountains
If we get something like a syncline and anticline and
apply it to a wide circular area, we can get domes
and basins. In a dome, the center part is the oldest
strata, with the younger material around the edges.
In a basin, the youngest material is in the center,
with the older material on the edges.
Types of Mountains
Domes are usually caused
by lava pushing upwards
on the crust to make it
bulge. Basins are formed
when lava bubbles collapse
Mountain Ranges of the World
Part of your homework for this week is going to
relate to a paper Mr. C. is handing out. This paper lists
22 of the world’s major mountain ranges. Mr. C. is going
to assign each of you to two of these (3 if you want extra
credit).
Your job (due Wednesday) is to do some quick research
on what kind of mountain this range is and how it
formed. (Like: “this range formed 20 million years ago
when the X plate pushed into the Y plate”)
On Wednesday, you’ll all share your results with each
other to fill in everything on the back. You also need to
color each of the words on the front, and then color in the
associated mountain range with the same color.
Exit Question
Which type of rock folding creates a dome shape?
Anticline
Syncline
Bubble
Cave
Extreme
None of the above