Mountain Range, Chain, Mass and System
"Mountains can be distinguished not only by altitude considerations but also on the basis of areal extent."
Wikipedia is not a source I like to depend on but it seems to be the main source of useful information that gives the basic information. The Library and Credo are good but they are a little too in-depth for the type of information I need to find out at the moment. Even the book I'm reading "Mountain Evolution" by A.J. Gerrard, is too advanced in some areas. It is very informative and is information I am interested in learning however, when I just need to look up a list of mountains, Wikipedia is working.
MOUNTAIN RANGE
"A mountain can be a single isolated feature outstanding within a belt of mountains. A mountain range is a single ridge" Mountain Environments p.7
mountain range
1.
a series of more or less connected mountains ranged in a line.
2.
a series of mountains, or of more or less parallel lines of mountains,closely related, as in origin.
3.
an area in which the greater part of the land surface is in considerable degree of slope, upland summits are small or narrow, and there aregreat differences in elevations within the area (commonly over 2000feet, or 610 meters).
This Wikipedia page also has a full list by continental area but it is extensive.
360° panoramic view from Marmolada, highest peak in the Dolomites. Italy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolomites
An 1865 lithograph showing the High Tatras mountain range in Slovakia and Poland by Karel Kořistka appearing in a book by August Heinrich Petermann. Wiki
August Heinrich was a German cartographer.
MOUNTAIN CHAIN
"A mountain chain, although also a linear feature, implies major features that persist for hundreds or even thousands of miles." Mountain Environments p.7
mountain chain
How interesting that the definition for chain redirects you to system.
Ah hills! What is the difference between mountains and hill?
I keep reading about fold mountains (above text etc.) but I just need an easier explanation. Go BBC Bitesize!
MOUNTAIN MASS
"A mountain mass is usually a group of mountains or irregular shape not characterised by simple linear trends. They may be block-faulted terrain, volcanic areas, or uplifted areas of complex igneous rocks such as batholiths." p.7
mountain mass
NOUN
- 1A huge mass.
- 2A large mass of rock.
- 3A mass of mountains, a massif.
MOUNTAIN SYSTEM
"The term 'mountain system' is usually reserved for the greatest continent-spanning features. Mountain systems have complex histories and comprise sub-diversion of age and types such as combination chains, ranges ad masses." p.7
mountain system
1.
a series of interconnected or geologically related mountain ranges.
Interesting then that "Mountain Environments" should describe them separately. It is providing very hard to research mountains. As I found out previously there is no one accurate definition for mountains, they are all very vague and it seems this goes for other areas of mountains.
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