2006-11-06 10:50:45 · 5 answers · asked by patrick h 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
There is no "why" to mountains -- but there is a "how did they come about" :)
Plate tectonics. The earth's crust is made up of many plates that float around on underground magma like icebergs on the ocean. These plates bump up against each other, and when they do, often one gets pushed under the other -- raising the latter one (in whole or in part), and creating mountain ranges. That the tallest mountain range in the world (the Himalayas) exists at the plate boundary where India is ramming into the Asian mainland should come as no surprise :)
2006-11-06 10:59:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question "why are the mountains" can never be answered. Mountains just exist. Why they exist no one know.
How mountains are made, is a completely different questions and someone else already answered it.
2006-11-06 10:58:53 · answer #2 · answered by Bea S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Large plates move against each other pushing up the mountains that you see (platetechtonics)
Also, weather can tarnish the surface removing layers and creating amazing effects (erosion)
2006-11-06 10:53:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tectonic plate shifts...there are big plates on the earth that clash and force mounds of earth and rock up creating mountains.
2006-11-06 10:57:42 · answer #4 · answered by Shaun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so people can climb them and get stranded on them
2006-11-06 10:56:02 · answer #5 · answered by lizella 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋