IGCSE GEOGRAPHY8. FOLD MOUNTAINS

THE FORMATION OF FOLD MOUNTAINS. CHARACTERISTICS

OF THE ALPS. HUMAN ACTIVITIES

FORMATION OF FOLD MOUNTAINSWhere an area of sea separates two plates, sediments settle on the sea floor in depressions called geosynclines. These sediments gradually become compressed into sedimentary rock.When the two plates move towards each other again, the layers of sedimentary rock on the sea floor become crumpled and folded.

FORMATION OF FOLD MOUNTAINS cont.Eventually the sedimentary rock appears above sea level as a range of fold mountains.Where the rocks are folded upwards, they are called anticlines. Where the rocks are folded downwards, they are called synclines. Severely folded and faulted rocks are called nappes.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ALPS• High mountain ranges, eg Mont Blanc, which is 4,810 m

above sea level• Glaciated valleys, eg the Rhone Valley• Pyramidal peaks, eg the Matterhorn• Ribbon lakes, eg Lake Como• Fast-flowing rivers• Contrasting microclimates on north facing (ubac) and

south facing (adret) slopes• Geologically young (30-40 million years old)

HUMAN ACTIVITIESWinter sports such as skiing in resorts such as Chamonix.Climbing and hiking in the summer months.Summer lakeside holidays, eg Lake Garda.Agriculture - takes place mainly on south facing slopes and includes cereals, sugar beet, vines and fruits.Forestry - coniferous forests for fuel and building.Communications - roads and railways follow valleys.Hydroelectric power (HEP) - steep slopes and glacial meltwater are ideal for generating HEP. Hydroelectric accounts for 60 per cent of Switzerland's electricity production.