Year 4 - Geography
The formation of mountains
Mountains and volcanoes: what, where and why?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit introduces mountains and volcanoes, how they form, and what they're like. Pupils study peaks in the UK and around the world, learn about volcanic eruptions, and explore how these features affect the lives of people who live nearby.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use geographical vocabulary to describe and explain how mountains are formed and shaped over time.
Key Notes
- Earth's crust is made from a series of tectonic plates, which constantly move, but so slowly that we don't notice.
- Mountains are formed when tectonic plates move towards each other, pushing the ground upwards, lifting and folding it.
- There are three common types of mountain: fold, fault-block and dome.
- Mountains are formed over millions of years during which time they are shaped by the action of weathering and erosion.
Vocabulary To Learn
- tectonic plates: The huge pieces that Earth's crust is broken into are known as tectonic plates.
- converge: Converge means two things move towards each other, such as when two tectonic plates come towards one another.
- mountain: A mountain is a natural raised part of Earth's surface that is higher than a hill.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A mountain is any area of high land.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Earth's crust is made from a series of tectonic plates, which constantly move, but so slowly that we don't notice. Mountains are formed when tectonic plates move towards each other, pushing the ground upwards, lifting and folding it.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'tectonic plates'
The huge pieces that Earth's crust is broken into are known as tectonic plates.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: A mountain is any area of high land. Correction: A mountain has different definitions. In the UK the height is taken to be land over 2000 ft or 610 m.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 4 Geography guide library.