Fold mountains

Formation

Fold mountains form in areas of thrust tectonics, such as where two tectonic plates move towards each other at convergent plate boundary. When plates and the continents riding on them collide or undergo subduction (that is – ride one over another), the accumulated layers of rock may crumple and fold like a tablecloth that is pushed across a table, particularly if there is a mechanically weak layer such as salt. Since the less dense continental crust "floats" on the denser mantle rocks beneath, the weight of any crustal material forced upward to form hills, plateaus or mountains must be balanced by the buoyancy force of a much greater volume forced downward into the mantle. Thus the continental crust is normally much thicker under mountains, compared to lower-lying areas. Rock can fold either symmetrically or asymmetrically. The upfolds are anticlines and the downfolds are synclines. Severely folded and faulted rocks are called nappes. In asymmetric folding there may also be recumbent and overturned folds. The mountains such formed are usually greater in length instead of breadth.