AllExperts > Science for Kids 
Search      
Science for Kids
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Science for Kids Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Science for Kids Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Science for Kids
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Ralph Salier-Hellendag
Expertise
Science Fair Judge for many years and experience with robotics, biology, chemistry, industrial processes, metalurgy and metal forming.

Experience
Science Fair Judge for many years and have helped several students get to state level competition. Most recently 2 of my students received state level awards and one went on to the nationals in Washington DC.

Education/Credentials
BA Archaeology - Anthropology
MA Business Anthropology

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Science > Science/Nature for Kids > Science for Kids > mountains

Science for Kids - mountains


Expert: Ralph Salier-Hellendag - 2/20/2005

Question
how are mountains formed?

Answer
Hi Amber,

Mountians are formed in two ways.

1) Volcanism (Volcanos) where magma or molten rock pushes up from deep below the surface and pushes the rock layers up and out of the way.  And then when the volcano pushes through, it may erupt.  When  this occus, then it begins to build upwards into a cone shaped mountian.  The Hawiian Islands are all volcanic mountians rising from the sea floor!

2) The earth is made up of crustal plates which move. This movement is what we all feel as earthquakes.  As these crustal plates have moved around or into each other, it has caused them to "wrinkel".  These wrinkels are mountians.  For example The Rocky Mountians and the Andes mountians of South America are being pushed up because the North American and South American plates are moving westward into the Pacific Plate.  The force of this movement pushes the crust up and forms the mountians.  This also creates volcanos too.  That is why all around the Pacific there are big earthquake zones and volcanos.  

I hope this helps.  If you have any further questions, please ask.

Add to this Answer   Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.