Chapter 11.2 Types of Mountains

The process of building a mountain range is called orogenesis. Mountains are classified by the dominant processes that have formed them.

Folded Mountains These are mountains are formed mostly by folding. Compressional stresses cause these folds as well as thrust faulting. The Appalachian Mountains, northern Rocky Mountains, and the Alps are all folded mountains.

Fault-Block Mountains Large-scale normal faults cause fault-block mountains. These mountains form as large blocks of crust that are uplifted and tilted. The Teton Range and Sierra Nevada of California are fault-block mountains.

Domes and Basins A dome is a circular or elongated structure. These structures are produced by upwarping. Basins are circular shape that form by downwarping.