5.7 Orogenisis

What is Orogenisis?

this word comes from the greek words “oros” meaning mountain and “genisis” meaning formation. therefore the word orogenisis means the formation of mountains.

Definition of Orogenisis: Orogenisis is a series of processes that lead to the formation of mountains. generally, a mountain range comes from the collision of two tectonic plates.

Folding

the lithospheres tectonic plates are moving slowly. they often form mountains if they collide. to explain this phenomenon we will use air mattresses floating on water as an example. in this example the air mattresses are the tectonic plates and the pool water is the earths mantle. when the water moves it will make the air mattresses move too. if the air mattresses collide they will end up folding. mountains are created this way. this process can take millions of years.

Other ways mountains are formed

some mountains are formed from the rising magma from the mantle and forming volcanoes. once the magma rises from the mantle and touches air, it cools down and becomes rock. over time the magma that cools down and turns into rock accumulates and creates a mountain.

other mountains form when earths crust gets fractured and part of it raises. these fractures occur when there is immense pressure from the movement of tectonic plates. these fractures are called “faults”.

What is the highest mountain in Québec?

the highest mountain in Québec is Mont D’Iberville. this mountain is part of the Torngat Mountains which is a mountain range located Québec and Labrador. it’s name comes from Pierre Le moyne d’iberville. he is a canadian explorer who founded louisiana. Mont D’iberville is 1652 metres high. in comparison Mont Royal which is a hill in Montreal, it’s peak is only 234 metres high.