MAJOR LANDFORMS – NOTES

1. Explain the significance of mountains.

 The rivers that originate in mountain regions bring silt along with water to form fertile
plains.
 Most rivers originate in the mountains and help in irrigation and other water uses.
 The mountain ranges act as natural political frontiers between countries and protect them
from invasions to some extent.
 Mountains are the storehouse of natural and mineral resources. Tea and coffee plantations
and fruit orchards grow on mountain and hill slopes.
 Hydro-electricity is generated from the waters of rivers in the mountain regions.
 The pleasant climate and the beautiful scenery of the mountains lead to tourist attraction.
2. Earth’s surface is changed by two types of major forces. Explain.

 Tectonic Forces: These forces originate from within the earth. They are
caused due to the irregular and sudden movement of the tectonic plates
 Gradational Forces: These forces include forces of nature above the surface of the
earth such as running water, moving ice, wind, sea waves etc…They work in two ways
– Deposition & Erosion.
3. Explain the process of formation of fold mountains and block
mountains.

Fold Mountains Block Mountains

Mountain ranges that are uplifted due to the
folding of sedimentary rocks are called Fold
Mountains
The rocks get bent into folds as they are
subjected to horizontal compressional forces
for millions of years.
Such earth’s movements occur from time to
time and lift the folds and result in the
formation of Fold Mountains.
Eg: Himalayas, Andes, Appalachians
Block Mountains are also formed by the
internal earth movements.
When the tensional forces act on the
rocks, faults are
created (i.e., cracks) in them.
When the land between two fault lines
rises or subdues, Block Mountains are
found.
4. Eg: The Vosges, The Black
 Forest

5. Briefly explain the formation of volcanic mountains with the help of a

diagram.

(Learn to mark main vent, crater, ash cloud & Magma chamber)
 Volcanic mountains are formed due to volcanic activity which starts beneath the earth.
 High temperature deep inside the earth turn rocks into a molten magma.
 This magma ejects out from the surface to form a cone.
 The height of the cone increases with each eruption and it takes the form of a mountain.