Difference between revisions of "Mountain"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
| − | [ | + | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French muntaine, from Vulgar Latin montanea, from [[feminine]] of montaneus of a mountain, alteration of [[Latin]] montanus, from mont-, mons |
| − | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 a : a [[land]] mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill | *1 a : a [[land]] mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill | ||
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:b : a vast [[number]] or [[quantity]] | :b : a vast [[number]] or [[quantity]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''mountain''' is a large landform that stretches above the [[surrounding]] [[land]] in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them. The [[study]] of mountains is called [ | + | A '''mountain''' is a large landform that stretches above the [[surrounding]] [[land]] in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them. The [[study]] of mountains is called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orography Orography]. |
| − | [ | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exogeology Exogeology] deals with [[planetary]] mountains, which in that branch of [[science]] are usually called ''montes'' (singular—''mons''). The highest mountain on [[earth]] is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Everest Mount Everest] 8,848 m (29,029 ft).. The highest known mountain in the [[Solar System]] is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_Mons Olympus Mons] on the [[planet]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars Mars] at 21,171 m (69,459 ft). |
There is no [[universally]] accepted definition of a ''mountain''. Elevation, volume, relief, steepness, spacing and continuity has been used as criteria for defining a mountain. In the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] a mountain is defined as "a [[natural]] elevation of the [[earth]] [[surface]] rising more or less abruptly from the [[surrounding]] level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable." | There is no [[universally]] accepted definition of a ''mountain''. Elevation, volume, relief, steepness, spacing and continuity has been used as criteria for defining a mountain. In the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] a mountain is defined as "a [[natural]] elevation of the [[earth]] [[surface]] rising more or less abruptly from the [[surrounding]] level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable." | ||
| − | Whether a landform is called a mountain may depend on usage among the local people. The highest point in San Francisco, California, is called [ | + | Whether a landform is called a mountain may depend on usage among the local people. The highest point in San Francisco, California, is called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Davidson Mount Davidson], notwithstanding its height of 990 feet, which makes it ten feet short of the minimum for a mountain in American appellation. Similarly, Mount Scott outside Lawton, Oklahoma is only 824 feet from its base to its highest point. |
Definitions of "mountain" include: | Definitions of "mountain" include: | ||
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* Local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation greater than 300 m (984 ft)., or 300 m (984 ft)–1,000 m (3,281 ft). if local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation is greater than 300 m (984 ft). | * Local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation greater than 300 m (984 ft)., or 300 m (984 ft)–1,000 m (3,281 ft). if local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation is greater than 300 m (984 ft). | ||
| − | By this definition, mountains cover 64% of Asia, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the [[Earth]]'s [[land]] mass is mountainous and 10% of people live in mountainous regions. Most of the world's [[rivers]] are fed from mountain sources, and more than half of [[humanity]] depends on mountains for [[water]].[ | + | By this definition, mountains cover 64% of Asia, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the [[Earth]]'s [[land]] mass is mountainous and 10% of people live in mountainous regions. Most of the world's [[rivers]] are fed from mountain sources, and more than half of [[humanity]] depends on mountains for [[water]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain] |
[[Category: Earth Science]] | [[Category: Earth Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:21, 13 December 2020
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French muntaine, from Vulgar Latin montanea, from feminine of montaneus of a mountain, alteration of Latin montanus, from mont-, mons
- Date: 13th century
Definitions
- 1 a : a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill
- b : an elongated ridge
- 2 a : a great mass
Description
A mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them. The study of mountains is called Orography.
Exogeology deals with planetary mountains, which in that branch of science are usually called montes (singular—mons). The highest mountain on earth is the Mount Everest 8,848 m (29,029 ft).. The highest known mountain in the Solar System is Olympus Mons on the planet Mars at 21,171 m (69,459 ft).
There is no universally accepted definition of a mountain. Elevation, volume, relief, steepness, spacing and continuity has been used as criteria for defining a mountain. In the Oxford English Dictionary a mountain is defined as "a natural elevation of the earth surface rising more or less abruptly from the surrounding level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable."
Whether a landform is called a mountain may depend on usage among the local people. The highest point in San Francisco, California, is called Mount Davidson, notwithstanding its height of 990 feet, which makes it ten feet short of the minimum for a mountain in American appellation. Similarly, Mount Scott outside Lawton, Oklahoma is only 824 feet from its base to its highest point.
Definitions of "mountain" include:
- Height over base of at least 2,500 m (8,202 ft).
- Height over base of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).–2,500 m (8,202 ft). with a slope greater than 2 degrees
- Height over base of 1,000 m (3,281 ft).–1,500 m (4,921 ft). with a slope greater than 5 degrees
- Local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation greater than 300 m (984 ft)., or 300 m (984 ft)–1,000 m (3,281 ft). if local (radius 7,000 m (22,966 ft). elevation is greater than 300 m (984 ft).
By this definition, mountains cover 64% of Asia, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the Earth's land mass is mountainous and 10% of people live in mountainous regions. Most of the world's rivers are fed from mountain sources, and more than half of humanity depends on mountains for water.[1]
