A mountain is a natural elevation of the earthβs surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit and usually greater than 600 meters (2,000 feet). A few definitions include major summits less than 2,000 meters (6,600 feet), while others are based on the largest mountain range or a group of connected mountains.
The mountains are a large and vast landform that can be found worldwide. They are typically tall and steep, with many peaks and valleys. Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, which stands over 29,000 feet tall. Mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide and push up the earth’s surface. This process can take millions of years, and the mountains can continue to grow taller over time. Some of the most famous mountain ranges include the Rockies, the Andes, the Himalayas, and the Alps. People often visit mountains for their beauty, hike or climb them, or ski and snowboard on their slopes.
Explore the delicate interplay between climate change and mountain glaciers, and learn about the urgent conservation efforts to protect these icy giants.