How are Mountains Classified

It is difficult to come across a universally accepted definition of a mountain; with some definitions stressing on the elevation and some stressing on the gradient of slope as the main factor which has to be taken into consideration. While none is perfect, a near-perfect definition of mountain would be 'a huge landform projecting well above the surrounding area and typically characterized by the presence of a peak. Even though a hill is a similar landform, the two are distinguished from each other on the basis of gradient - with a mountain being steeper of the two.


As with the definition, even the classification of mountains is an issue of debate - with experts finding it difficult to come up with a proper method of classifying them. Of the currently used methods of classification, one of the apt methods is to classify mountains into various types on the basis of the geological process involved in their formation. Simply put, classification of mountains depending on how they are formed (see how are mountains formed). Going by this method of classification, mountains can be classified into four different types i.e. the fold mountains, fault-block mountains, volcanic mountains and dome mountains - each of which are discussed with examples below.