Mountain Ranges

A mountain range is a connected chain or group of mountains. Most large ranges form where tectonic plates move. When plates push together, rock can fold, fault, and rise. Volcanoes can also build chains of mountains, while weathering and erosion slowly reshape every range.

Famous Ranges

• The Himalayas in Asia include Mount Everest and are still rising as the Indian and Eurasian plates converge.
• The Andes run along western South America. They formed mainly where the Nazca Plate moves beneath the South American Plate.
• The Rocky Mountains stretch through western North America and formed during several episodes of uplift.

Mountains affect water and weather. Snow and rain at high elevations feed many rivers. Moist air that rises over a range cools and can drop rain or snow; the downwind side may be much drier, creating a rain shadow.

Build Your Own Mini Mountain Range

What You’ll Need

• Modeling clay or play‑dough (different colours are fun)
• A large sheet of cardboard or a tray
• Small stones, sand, or shredded paper for “soil”
• A spray bottle with water (to make “snow”)
• Markers or crayons for drawing rivers and valleys

Steps

1. Lay The Base – Spread a thin layer of sand or shredded paper on the cardboard. This is the ground.
2. Shape The Peaks – Roll the clay into long “snakes”. Bend them into pointy peaks and press them into the base so they stand up.
3. Add Ridges And Valleys – Use smaller bits of clay to connect the peaks (ridges). Press a finger between them to make low spots (valleys).
4. Create A River – Draw a wiggly line with a marker from a high point down to the edge of the cardboard. Sprinkle a little water to show how melt‑water would flow.
5. Mark Snow – Add small pieces of white paper to the highest peaks. Real snow forms from frozen water, so shiny wet clay is not a good snow model.

What To Notice

• Which side of the range gets the river and which side stays dry?
• How does the shape change when you add more clay?

Write down any observations in your notebook.

Quick Quiz

1. What Is A Mountain Range?

   • A) A single tall mountain
   • B) A chain of mountains linked together
   • C) A flat plain

2. Which Process Creates Fold Mountains?

   • A) Volcanic eruptions
   • B) Plate tectonics pushing plates together
   • C) Erosion by wind

3. Why Are Mountains Called “Water Towers”?

   • A) They store water as snow and ice that later melts into rivers
   • B) They are made of water
   • C) They have big water bottles on top

4. What Is A “Rain Shadow”?

   • A) A sunny spot on a mountain top
   • B) A dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range
   • C) A place where it always rains

5. Name One Famous Mountain Range And The Continent It’s On.

Answers

1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. Possible answers include the Himalayas in Asia, the Andes in South America, or the Rocky Mountains in North America.

Mountains are amazing. They are tall, they hold water, and they shape the land. Have fun exploring them!