15 Beautiful And Fascinating Mountain Facts For Kids

Fascinating and educational facts about the elevated landscape of Earth - the mountains.

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15 Intriguing And Fun Facts About Mountains For Kids

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It is fascinating to learn about mountains as to how these tall conical structures with sloping sides and round ridges can be so high and seen from miles away. You can expand the knowledge about mountains for kids and pique their interest. For example, most mountains are formed due to the collision of the vast tectonic plates in the upper mantle (1). As a result, they continue to rise higher and eventually form mountains. Some mountains continue to rise, whereas a few have already peaked to a certain level above the sea. Keep reading our post for more information about the types, formation, history, and several other interesting facts about mountains to help your children know more about these majestic structures on the earth. Once they learn, they can even share the facts with their friends and make engaging conversations.

Formation Of Mountains And Their Different Types

Mountains are identified by their height and shape, but not all mountains are of the same type. They are classified based on their formation process. Read on to learn more about the different types of mountains and how they are formed (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

1. Fold mountains

When two or more tectonic plates similar in thickness and weight push against each other, they fold and rise higher with each collision. The longer the collision continues, the higher the mountain rises. This process of mountain formation is known as ‘orogeny,’ and such a mountain is called a ‘fold mountain.’ The Himalayas in Asia are mountains formed out of the movement in the Earth’s crust.

2. Fault-block mountains

The movement of large crustal blocks along the faults due to tensional force can push a part of the crust upward or downward. A mountain range formed as a result of this phenomenon is known as a ‘fault-block mountain.’ The part that rises above is known as ‘horst,’ while the part that is pushed below is known as ‘graben.’ The Teton range in Wyoming and the Sierra Nevada in California are examples of a fault-block mountain.

3. Volcanic mountains

These are formed when magma under the Earth’s surface rises out of the volcanic vents and spills on the Earth’s surface. This lava (magma that has erupted) contains ash and dust, and as it accumulates, it rises above the Earth’s surface around it. Layers upon layers of this lava create a conical mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is an example of a volcanic mountain.

4. Dome mountains

Dome mountains are formed when the molten rocks below push the Earth’s surface upwards without breaking it. This pressure creates a circular shape that rises until the molten rocks cool down and harden. The Black Hills of South Dakota is an example of a dome mountain.

Facts About Mountains For Kids

Mountains are beautiful and fascinating natural landforms. Have a look at some of the most interesting facts about mountains (7) (8) (9) (10) (11).

  1. The mountain named ‘Olympus Mons’ on the planet Mars is the largest mountain in our solar system. It stands 16 miles (24 kilometers) tall and stretches 340 miles (550 kilometers) long.
  1. Mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet is the tallest mountain on planet Earth. It reaches a height of 29,029 feet at its peak.
  1. Owing to the harsh terrain and weather and lack of oxygen at its summit, there are no living creatures or vegetation atop Mount Everest.
  1. The volcanic mountain named Mauna Kea in Hawaii measures 33,500 feet, making it taller than Mount Everest. However, when measured from the Earth’s surface, it stands only 13, 796 feet tall as the lower half of the mountain remains submerged in the Pacific Ocean.
  1. The highest point on Earth as measured from Earth’s center is the top of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador.
  1. Palaeontologists have found whale fossils on the peak of the Andes mountains, indicating that the rocks have risen from the bottom of the ocean.
  1. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
  1. There are around 1,500 active volcanoes in the world.
  1. The Himalayas started to form between 40 and 50 million years ago when two large pieces of the Earth’s crust, known as India and Eurasia, collided.
  1. Mountains occupy 25% of the Earth’s surface and are a source of livelihood for around 12% of the world’s population that live in and around mountainous areas.
  1. Mountains provide more than 50% of the world’s population with water for drinking, irrigation, energy production, etc.
  1. Ten of the largest rivers originating from the Hindu Kush Himalayas supply water to over 1.35 billion people, which is about 20% of the global population.
  1. K2 is the second-largest mountain after Mount Everest. Known as the ‘holy grail of mountaineering,’ it is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb, with the death rate averaging around 25%.
  1. Mountains form underwater too. These mountains are formed due to volcanic activity under the sea. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is one of the most popular undersea mountains.
  1. Mountain slopes hold various types of vegetation, plants, and trees. They also support a variety of life forms and animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are mountains useful to us?

Mountains are an essential part of nature that provide us with rich flora and fauna, which provides food and occupational opportunities. Besides regulating weather and rainfall, mountains provide 60 to 80% of all the freshwater resources to the planet (12). Above all, they provide idyllic landscapes that many people go to for relaxation and rejuvenation.

2. Which animals live in the mountains?

From mountain goats to moose, mule deer, black bear, and white-tailed deer, mountains are home to several animals and birds. The mountain’s animal diversity varies depending on the mountain’s height, environment, and climatic conditions. For instance, the high-altitude mountains like Alpine have about 30,000 animal species, such as Alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota), rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), and Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) (13).

There’s more to those majestic high-rise mountain ranges than meets the eye. There’s no doubt their appearance can already pique your children’s interest in them, but these facts about mountains for kids will give them an insight into the marvels of nature. From the tallest mountain in the world to the most famous underwater one, the above-mentioned list contains all the fascinating information about mountains for your children to learn and explore.

Key Pointers

  • “Olympus Mons,” the mountain on planet Mars, is the largest mountain in our solar system.
  • Mountains cover 25% of the earth’s surface.
  • Mountains are present on the earth’s surface and under the water.

References

1. Mountains; World Wildlife Fund
2. Mountains; American Museum of Natural History
3. Folding a Mountain; The Earth Observatory
4. Mountains; West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey
5. The Nature of Volcanoes; U.S. Geological Survey
6. Plate Tectonics and Mountain Building; Utah Education Network
7. Where is the highest mountain in our Solar System?; Cool Cosmos
8. What is the highest point on Earth as measured from Earth’s center?; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
9. How many active volcanoes are there on Earth?; U.S. Geological Survey
10. The Himalayas: Two continents collide; U.S. Geological Survey
11. Mountains as the Water Towers of the World; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
12. Why mountains matter; One Earth
13. NATURE’S TREASURE TROVE; World Wildlife Fund
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Beth Sullivan
Beth SullivanM.Ed in Special Education
Beth Sullivan is an education consultant and president of Deep Roots Learning Solutions, Inc. She specializes in literacy instruction and works primarily with students learning challenges, including dyslexia, ADHD and autism.

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