What is folded mountain? Characteristics and types of folded mountains with examples. Geo Thinking.

Folded Mountains

   Folded Mountains are formed due to folding of Crustal Rocks by compressive forces generated by endogenetic forces coming from within the earth. These are the highest and most extensive mountains of the world and found in all the continents. The distributional pattern of folded mountains over the globe denotes the fact that they are generally found along the margins of the continents either in north south direction or East West direction. Rockies, Andes, Himalayas etc. are the examples of folded mountains.

   Folded Mountains are classified on various bases as follows.

      1. Folded Mountains are divided into two broad categories on the basis of the nature of folds. (a) Simple folded mountains with open folds- Such Mountains are characterized by well developed system of anticlines and synclines where infolds are arranged in wave like pattern. (b) Complex folded mountains represent very complex structure of intensely compressed folds. Such Complex structure of folds is called 'nappe'.

      2. Folded Mountains are classified into (a) Young folded mountains (which are least affected by denudational processes) and (b) mature folded mountains. It may be pointed out that it is difficult to find true young folded mountains because the process of Mountain building is exceedingly slow process and thus denudational processes start denuding the mountains right from the beginning of their origin. Mature folded mountains are characterized by monoclinal ridges and valleys. This classification is based on the age factor.

     3. On the basis of the period of origin folded Mountains are divided into (a) old folded mountains and (b) new folded mountains. All the old folded mountains were originated before tertiary period. The folded mountains of Caledonian and Hercynian mountain building periods come under this category. These mountains have been so greatlyl denuded that they have now become relict folded mountains. For example, Aravallis, Vindhyachal etc. 

Characteristics of Folded Mountains

1. Folded Mountains are the youngest mountains on the earth surface.

2. Folded mountains extend for greater greater lengths but their widhts are far smaller than their lengths.

3. Folded Mountains are formed due to folding crustal rocks by compressive force resulting from endogenteic forces coming from within the earth.

4. Folded mountains are generally round in arch shape having one side concave slope and the other side convex slope.

5. Folded Mountains are found along the margins of the continents facing oceans. For example rockies and Andes are located along the Western margins of North and South America's respectively and face Pacific Ocean.