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| − | [[Image:Alaska Mt. McKinley.jpg|right|300px]]
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| − | A '''mountain''' is a mass of land that is taller than its surroundings. While there is no technical definition distinguishing between the two, a mountain is generally regarded to be much larger than a [[hill]].
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| − | There are different theories about the origin of mountains.
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| − | All mountains, at every elevation, have [[limestone]] deposits reflecting that they were once under seawater. The [[Great Flood]] accounts well for the presence of this [[limestone]] and the smooth, eroded surfaces found on most mountains.
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| − | The [[Tectonic Plate|tectonic plates]] theory speculates that some mountains rose out of the ground upon the collision of plates. These are called complex mountains, and example of which is the [[Himalayas]]. This theory cannot explain all mountains, however. Other types of mountains, such as fault-block mountains, are a result of faults pushing sections of land up higher than the surrounding areas.
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| − | Young mountains tend to be larger than older ones. One theory is that the rugged appearance of a mountain is caused by [[Glacier|glacial]] action, pinching the rock of the mountain into faces and horns.
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| − | ==See Also==
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| − | *[[List of highest mountains]]
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| − | [[Category:Geology]]
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| − | [[Category:Geography]]
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