The surface of the earth is heterogeneous. Pupils already know that there are plains and elevations. Let's try to figure out what a mountain is, how wonderful this natural phenomenon is.
Word interpretation
Encyclopedias and dictionaries give their definition of the term. A mountain is such a relief formation that rises more than two hundred meters. She has distinct steep slopes. As a rule, mountains are not called a separate peak, but a vast stretch of terrain. Its relief should be strongly indented and rise to a considerable height. It is determined relative to sea level.
Types of hills
Natural elevations, depending on size, are called hills and mountains. The latter are much higher in height. In addition to solitary peaks, there are entire mountain ranges. The most famous are the Alps, Andes, the Himalayas. Stony formations rise sharply upward, their peaks are lost in the clouds. Distinguish between high and low mountains. Those that do not differ in height have rounded peaks. Their slopes are gentle, overgrown with forest. At their foot flowers grow. The peaks of the highest peaks have a spiky shape, they are covered by glaciers. Their slopes are steep and steep. You will not find vegetation here. If you look at the map, you will see that the mountains on it are marked in brown. Moreover, the greater their height, the darker they appear on the diagram. Here is a brief summary of what mountains are.
The definition of this concept allows us to highlight some features. Stone elevations not only differ in the height and shape of the peaks. The oldest of them are destroyed, and new ones are formed. There are mountains of volcanic origin. Extinct and dormant volcanoes are found in earthquake-prone areas - in Russia in Kamchatka, in Italy and other regions. For example, Vesuvius is located near Naples. From his eruption in the first century AD, two cities died - Pompeii and Herculaneum. It is still considered an active volcano. Mountains are found not only on the surface of the earth. There are hills that hide the sea. These include rocky formations that rise above the bed of the ocean to a height of more than one thousand meters.
Mountain structure
Stony formations have their own distinctive characteristics. There is a foot, a peak, a mountain slope. What is the meaning of the latter concept? Let us consider in more detail. There are two types of slope: steep and steep. Moving up it, you have to overcome deep chasms, cliffs and turbulent mountain rivers. Water flows turn into a serious obstacle after heavy rains. They rush over stones with a roar and noise. Mountains can also prepare other unpleasant surprises for athletes and travelers. There is a risk of avalanches or mudflows.
Mountains are striking in their contrasts. At their foot forests rise, then alpine meadows are located , flowers grow. The higher the rocky slopes, the colder the air and the relaxed atmosphere. At the very top can be snow and glaciers. Lows between mountain ranges are called passes. They allow you to move from one valley to another.
The origin of the mountains can be volcanic and non-volcanic. If we consider what a mountain is from a scientific point of view, then we can note that these rocky formations have a folded structure. It may have a shape curved upward by the waves - an anticline, or curved down. In the latter case, it is called a syncline.
Highest peaks
Having become acquainted with the characteristics of the mountains, we describe the most famous of them. The first is worth mentioning the Jomolungma, or Everest, located in the Himalayas. For a long time, the peak remained unconquered. Its height above sea level is 8848 meters.
The most famous mountains of the world can be found not only in Europe, but also in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro is famous on the hot continent. Its name translates as "sparkling." And there is a clear explanation for this. The volcano has colossal dimensions (height is 5899 meters), and its peak is covered with a snow-white cap. The peak of the mountain, drowning in the clouds, is visible for many miles. It is surrounded by the savannahs of Kenya and Tanzania. Its size is amazing. It is ninety-seven kilometers long and sixty-four kilometers wide. As a result, she even creates her own climate. This is characteristic of many of the largest peaks.
The slopes of Kilimanjaro are watered by rains that come with humid winds that blow from the Indian Ocean. Therefore, their lower parts are suitable for farming, coffee and corn are cultivated here. The mountain is formed by three volcanoes: Shira, Mawenzi and the largest - Kibo.
In Russia, one of the highest peaks of the Altai Mountains is Belukha. Its height is 4509 meters. Its name is explained by the abundance of snow, which covers not only its peak, but also the slopes. In fact, the top of the mountain is not alone. There are two of them, in shape they resemble pyramids. Between them formed a depression with a height of four thousand meters. It is called Beluga Saddle. The mountain is located in a seismically active zone. Micro-earthquakes are quite frequent here.
Travelers and conquerors of the mountains
Inaccessible peaks have always attracted courageous people. After all, this is an opportunity not only to test one’s physical abilities for strength, but also to temper one’s own character, to check the loyalty of a friendly shoulder and to experience incredible triumph while standing on a conquered peak. It was not for nothing that the bards Yu. Vizbor and V. Vysotsky sang about mountains and climbers. Only professional athletes and brave ambitious amateurs know what a mountain is, how beautiful the view from it is beautiful.
Holy peaks in Orthodoxy
The Bible speaks of several mountains that are revered as sacred. First of all, it is Ararat, to which the ark of Noah stuck. The Old Testament book tells how the prophet Moses climbed to the top of Mount Sinai, where he received the tablets with the covenant of God. In the Christian world, it is known what Mount Athos is located in Greece. This is the place where the Orthodox monastery is located. The mountain range of the Chalkidiki Peninsula has a peak that rises two thousand twenty two meters.