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Mountains

Mountains are very high landforms. Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the tallest above sea level at about 8,849 metres.

๐Ÿ’ก Fun fact

Mountains can still grow taller because of moving tectonic plates.

All about Mountains

Mountains are very high landforms that rise steeply above the land around them. They form in several ways, including when tectonic plates push together, when volcanoes erupt and when rock is worn down by ice and water over time.

Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the tallest mountain above sea level, at about 8,849 metres. Mountains affect the weather because they force air to rise and cool, which often creates rain on one side and dry land on the other.

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Real-life uses of Mountains

  • Providing water for rivers when snow melts in spring
  • Supporting skiing, climbing and hiking
  • Creating natural borders between countries

Frequently asked questions about Mountains

What is the difference between a hill and a mountain?

A mountain is usually much higher and steeper than a hill. There is no exact height, but most mountains are over 600 metres.

Why is it cold at the top of a mountain?

The air gets thinner and cooler with height, because there is less air pressing down to hold in the heat.

Which is the tallest mountain in the solar system?

Olympus Mons on Mars is the tallest known volcano and mountain in the Solar System, at about 22 km high.