A mid-oceanic ridge is composed of two chains of mountains separated by a large depression. Magma comes out due to the divergence of plates inside the oceans. As a result of the freezing of this magma, submerged ridges are formed. These ridges are generally in the middle of the ocean, hence they are also called mid-ocean ridges. This process of formation of ridges continues continuously, which is responsible for the formation of oceanic crust (ocean bed spreading).
The best example of this is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which extends from the Western Isles in the Atlantic Ocean to Bouvet Island in the south.
Aspect | Fold Mountains | Fault-Block Mountains |
Formation | By compressional forces causing folds | By faulting due to tension or compression |
Structure | Have anticlines and synclines | Formed by uplifted blocks (horsts) and sunken blocks (grabens) |
Age | Generally younger, and still growing (active). | Older and often eroded. |
Diagram |  |  |
Examples | Himalayas, Alps, Andes | Satpura, Black Forest, Sierra Nevada |
The Pamirs are a highland region in Central Asia. The Pamir Knot is a nodal orogenic uplift at the center of the Pamir mountain area. The Pamir Knot is a the convergence of several major Eurasian mountain ranges, including the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram Range, the Kunlun Mountains, and the Tien Shan
Extension: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and parts of China.
Formation
The Andes is a young fold mountain range formed by the convergent boundary interaction between the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, hence prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Characteristics
- Location – The Andes stretch along the western coast of South America
- Extent– It passes through seven countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela, covering 7,200 km in length .
- Peaks – Aconcagua(highest peak) , Cotopaxi, Chimborazo,Ojos del Salado
- Intermontane plateau – Bolivian Plateau.
- Rivers – Amazon , Magdalena, Colorado, Peruvian
- Minerals – Copper, silver, gold, lead, zinc, tin, and iron
- Flora and fauna- Flora (Gray fox ,Guanaco,Llama,Alpaca) and Fauna (Oak , potato,yareta)
- Economy – Major economic activities include mining, agriculture, and hydropower.
