Do mountains protect the Earth?

Question

if so, how?

Answer 1

They don't really PROTECT the earth, but there are quite important. You know the Rocky Mountains? Well, they act as sort of a barrier; keeping the species west in the west so they don't disrupt the enviromental balance. Alot of it has to do with insects, too. They can't fly east because the mountains block it. THere could be a species that could go east (without the Rockies) and eat up all the cash crops! So, they are very helpful.
Hope I anwered your question!
-Fairy Claire

Answer 2

Mountains are formed by a process known as subduction, caused by the collision of tectonic plates.

If the material that makes up the crust and upper mantle did not display such malleability, then there would be little movement or interesting changes in active geology that we see on earth. It would be a lot like some of the other planets we see in the solar system. Probably no life, or if there was life, it would not be as interesting as it is here, because geological change has been a fundamental driving force for evolution.

Answer 3

Gods backscratchers.

Mountains play a significant role in the formation of weather patterns.

If that protects the earth in any way then yes, mountains protect the earth.

I like mountains becasue I can ski down them in winter

Answer 4

From what? They create barriers to the flow of air streams. The air streams get interrupted and cause pockets of high and low pressure that help form storm systems.

But that would happen without mountains. The mountains just "chop" up the flow more frequently.

Answer 5

Helps with rain by grouping the clouds. That is why Australia is so dry.