Mountains…. The High Points….
Standing on top of Everest is roughly equivalent to stopping a passenger jet in mid-flight and climbing out onto the wing. The altitude is the same, the 40 degrees below zero temperature is the same and, most disturbingly, the lung-shredding, brain-addling atmosphere, barely one-third the pressure of sea level air – is the same.
Jeffrey Kluger, Time
The following YouTube is taken from the BBC Planet Earth series on Mountains. It provides a very good overview on mountain ranges and their characteristics.
What is a Mountain?
A mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them. The study of mountains is orology.
Characteristics of Mountains
- Mountains are usually found together in groups called mountain ranges or mountain chains. It is rare to find a mountain on its own unless it is a volcano, which is often a single peak.
- There is considerable height above sea level – altitude and elevation. A hill is generally classified as a mountain if it is over 600 metres above sea level. Mount Everest is 8848 metres high. Australia’s highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko is 2228 metres above sea level.
- Mountains have steep, sloping sides
- Most mountains have rugged surfaces and a jagged skyline.
- Mountains have a unique ecosystem. The basis of this mountain ecosystem is the climate, which supports particular plants and animals.
- Mountains have small summit areas
- There is a significant difference in the height between the mountain peaks and the valleys. This is called local relief.
Task 1 – Spatial Distribution of the Mountain Ranges
a) Using the map provided and an atlas, mark in the following mountain ranges on your map. Mark these in neatly, as well as label each mountain range, as you will need this map to use when studying for your exam.
- Atlas Mountains
- Ethiopian Highlands
- Himalayas
- TIen Shan
- Hawaiin Islands
- Southern Alps of New Zealand
- Central Highlands of New Guinea
- Snowy Mountains
- Alps
- Ural Mountains
- Pyrenees
- Rockies
- Sierra Nevada
- Sierra Madre
- Andes
- Transantarctic
b) Go to the following map showing the location of plate tectonics. Write three to four sentences describing the spatial association between the distribution of major mountain ranges around the world, and the location of plate tectonics. Use examples in your answer and consider the PQE method.
Task 2 – Group Research Task
You will be assigned to a group to put together an iMovie on the differing topics associated with physical process and landforms concerning mountains. These topics include:
- Plate Tectonics
- Types of Mountains
- Volcanoes
- Earthquakes
- Weathering and Erosion
- Biodiversity on Mountains
- Human Interaction and Adaption to Mountain Environments
It is very important that you research effectively and that your iMovie is clear, as this will be the only information provided to the class on your topic. The information that you research will be in the exam!
Your iMovie must cover all the questions, terms and concepts associated with your topic. These can be found in detail on the handout provided on studywiz. Also, look at the resources already provided, to combine in with your iMovie. Remember that you will be teaching the class, so include as many pictures, diagrams and examples as possible.
You only have this double to complete this activity. Your completed iMovie is due at the end of the double. No going home until it is finished!
Useful Resources
