What is a mountain? Meaning and definition of the word

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

The surface of the earth is not uniform. Schoolchildren already know that there are plains and hills. Let's try to figure out what a mountain is, what is remarkable about this natural phenomenon.

Interpretation of the word

Encyclopedias and dictionaries give their own definition of the term. A mountain is such a relief formation that rises more than two hundred meters. It has distinct steep slopes. As a rule, mountains are not called a single peak, but a vast area of the terrain. Its relief should be strongly indented and rise to a considerable height. It is determined relative to sea level.

Views of hills

Natural hills, depending on their size, are called hills and mountains. The latter are much larger. In addition to single peaks, there are entire mountain ranges. The most famous are the Alps, the Andes, the Himalayas. Rocky formations rise sharply, their tops are lost in the clouds. There are high and low mountains. Those of them that do not differ in height have rounded tops. Their slopes are gentle, overgrown with forest. At their foot flowers grow. The peaks of the highest peaks have a pointedform, they are covered with glaciers. Their slopes are steep and steep. You will not find vegetation here. If you take a look at the map, you will see that the mountains on it are marked in brown. Moreover, the greater their height, the darker they are displayed on the diagram. Here is a brief summary of what mountains are.

The definition of this concept allows us to highlight some features. Stone hills not only differ in height and shape of 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 seismically hazardous areas - in Russia in Kamchatka, in Italy and other regions. For example, Vesuvius located near Naples is known. From its eruption in the first century AD, two cities died - Pompeii and Herculaneum. It is still considered an active volcano. There are mountains not only on the surface of the earth. There are hills that hide the seas. These include rocky formations that rise above the ocean floor to a height of more than one thousand meters.

Mountain structure

Rocky formations have their own distinctive characteristics. There is a foot, a peak, a mountainside. Let's take a closer look at what the last concept means. In total, there are two types of slope: steep and steep. Moving up it, one has to overcome deep abysses, rocks and stormy mountain rivers. Water flows turn into a serious obstacle after heavy rains. They rush over the stones with a roar and noise. Also, mountains can prepare other unpleasantsurprises for athletes and travelers. There is a danger of avalanches or mudflows.

Mountains amaze with their contrasts. Forests rise at their foot, then alpine meadows are located, flowers grow. The higher the rocky slopes, the colder the air and the thinner the atmosphere. At the very top, snow and glaciers can lie. The depressions between mountain ranges are called passes. They allow you to move from one valley to another.

By origin, mountains can be volcanic and non-volcanic. If we consider what a mountain is from a scientific point of view, then it can be noted that these rocky formations have a folded structure. It can have a shape curved by waves with a convexity upwards - an anticline, or bent downwards. In the latter case, it is called a syncline.

The highest peaks

After getting acquainted with the characteristics of the mountains, we will describe the most famous of them. The first worthy of mention is Chomolungma, 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 very understandable explanation for this. The volcano has colossal dimensions (height is 5899 meters), and its top is covered with a snow-white cap. The peak of the mountain, drowning in clouds, is visible for miles. It is surrounded by the savannas of Kenya and Tanzania. Its size is amazing. She has ninety sevenkilometers long and sixty-four kilometers wide. As a result, it even creates its own climate. This is typical of many of the largest peaks.

The slopes of Kilimanjaro are watered by rains that come with moist winds that blow from the Indian Ocean. Therefore, their lower parts are suitable for agriculture, 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 Gorny Altai is Belukha. Its height is 4509 meters. Its name is explained by the abundance of snow that 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 the Beluga Saddle. The mountain is located in a seismically active zone. Micro-earthquakes are quite frequent here.

Travelers and conquerors of mountains

Inaccessible peaks have always attracted brave people. After all, this is an opportunity not only to test your physical abilities for strength, but also to temper your own character, test the fidelity of a friendly shoulder and feel incredible triumph, standing on a conquered peak. No wonder bards Y. Vizbor and V. Vysotsky sang about mountains and climbers. Only professional athletes and brave amateurs-dared souls know what a mountain is, how beautiful the view opens from it.

Holy peaks in Orthodoxy

The Bible refers to several mountains that are revered as sacred. First of all, it is Ararat, to which Noah's ark landed. In the bookThe Old Testament 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, which is located in Greece. This is the place where the Orthodox monastery is located. The mountain range of Chalkidiki has a peak that rises to 2,222 meters.