Mountains are massive landforms rising high above the Earth’s surface, caused by one or more geological processes: plate tectonics, volcanic activity and/or erosion. Generally they fall into one of five categories – fold, fault-block, dome, volcanic and plateau – although there can be some overlap.
Mountains comprise about 25 per cent of our land mass, with Asia having more than 60 per cent of them. They are home to 12 per cent of the Earth’s population, and they don’t just provide beauty and recreation; more than half of the people on Earth rely on the fresh water that flows down from the mountains to feed streams and rivers. Mountains are also incredibly biodiverse, with unique layers of ecosystems depending on their elevation and climate.
One of the most amazing things about mountains…
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How It Works Book of Incredible Earth (Digital) - 1 Issue, How It Works Book Of Incredible Earth 6th Edition