Mountain Formation at Tectonic Plate Boundaries

Mountains form primarily at tectonic plate boundaries where plates interact:

• Convergent boundaries (collision): Continental-continental collision (e.g., Himalayas) creates massive folded mountains. Oceanic-continental collision (e.g., Andes) creates volcanic arcs and folded belts.
• Divergent boundaries (separation): Mid-ocean ridges (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge) form underwater mountain chains; continental rifts (e.g., East African Rift) create fault-block mountains.
• Transform boundaries (sliding): Less common for major mountain building, but can create localized uplift (e.g., Transverse Ranges in California).

The scale, type, and duration of plate forces determine the resulting mountain range's height, structure, and extent.