How do mountains form?
Some mountains form from volcanoes. Dome mountains occur where magma near the earth's surface forms a rounded bulge of rock but does not erupt to become a volcano. Fold mountains form when two colliding plates cause the earth's crust to buckle and fold, making mountain ranges. Block mountains form when fractures in the earth's crust push a block upward.
Do mountains continue to grow?
Yes, some mountains continue to get taller after they first form! For example the Himalayas are growing up 2 inches every year. The Himalayas were formed 50 millions year ago when two of the mountain plates collided. As the plates continue to push each other the mountains are gradually getting higher-and they are getting even higher to climb!
What is a glacier?
A glacier is a huge river of ice. A buildup of snow and ice in a very cold, high mountain areas causes the river of ice downhill. Most glaciers flow so slowly you can not tell they are moving. As glaciers move, they carry rocks along with them that help gouge out valleys, or deep grooves, into the land through which they pass.
Where is the tallest mountain?
The tallest mountain is Mauna Kea on Hawaii. It measures 33,375 feet from base to peak, but most of it is underwater. Only 13,795 feet of it are above sea level. On land, Mountain Everest is the highest mountain, reaching 29,035 feet above sea level. Also on Hawaii is Mauna Loa, the world's biggest 🌋 Volcano.
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