Chapter 4 - Fold Mountains

Cyclone geography book, junior cert/ junior cycle

Formation of fold mountains

Found on convergent plate boundaries. Two plates push against each other. Heavier oceanic plate forced under lighter continental into mantle below. Oceanic plate melts and puts pressure on continental plate. Pressure forces land to buckle upwards in folds

Anticline - meaning

Upfold of fold mountain

Syncline - definition

Downfold of fold mountain

Three periods of fold mountain formation

Caledonian, armorican, alpine

Caledonian - time period and example

400 million years ago, Dublin-Wicklow mountains

Armorican - time period and example

250 million years ago and Galtee mountains, Tipperary

Alpine - time period and example

35 million years ago, Alps, Europe

When were Alps formed

35 million years ago, alpine folding period

What plates were involved in the formation

Collision of Eurasian and African plates

Highest peak of alps

Mont Blanc (4810m) on France-Italy border

Economic impacts of Alps

1. Farming: sheep, goats and cattle. Moved further up slope in summer to graze

2. Hydro-electric power: melting snow generates

3. Tourism: skiing, snowboarding, hiking. Income improves standard of living for locals

Social impacts of Alps

1. Accessibility: many parts difficult to access, very steep

2. Soil: thin, poor quality. Only suitable for rough grazing, makes farming unprofitable or difficult

3. Avalanches: snow and ice come loose and crash down mountains