Post on 19-Jan-2016
Bob LeightyBob Leighty
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the World
GLG 101 - Physical GeologyGLG 101 - Physical Geology
These lecture notes are very similar to the ones I use in my traditional classes. You’ll find they are loaded with imagery and streamlined text that highlight the most essential terms and concepts. The notes provide a framework for learning and, by themselves, are not meant to be a comprehensive source of information.
To take advantage of the global knowledge base known as the Internet, I have included numerous hyperlinks to external web sites (like the Wikipedia, USGS, NASA, etc.). Follow the links and scan them for relevant info. The information from linked web sites is meant to supplement and reinforce the lecture notes – you won’t be responsible for knowing everything contained in them.
As a distance learning student, you need to explore and understand the content more independently than in a traditional class. As always, I will help guide you through this learning adventure. Remember, email Dr. Bob if you have any questions about today’s lecture (rleighty@mail.mc.maricopa.edu).Leave no questions behind!
Explore and have fun!Explore and have fun!
These notes and web links are your primary “lecture” content in this class. Additionally, various articles are assigned each week to supplement this “lecture” information. I believe you’ll have enough information to reference without having to purchase a costly textbook.
Orogenic (not a dirty word): mountain-building
Orogeny: mountain-building event (e.g., Himalayan Orogeny)
Orogenic belt: mountain belt (e.g., Himalaya)
Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains
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> The thicker the crust, the higher it “floats”
> Crust is buoyant & “floats” on top of the mantle
Isostasy = gravitational balance
> Thin crust = low elevations = sedimentary basins
> Thick crust = high elevations = mountains
Elevation is related to crustal (continental or oceanic) thickness
Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains
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Continental crust averages ~35 km thick
Oceanic crust averages ~7 km thick
Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains
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1) Thicken the crust by tectonic compression
2) Thicken the crust by magmatism
Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains
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Ways To Make MountainsWays To Make Mountains
3) Thermal uplift by magmatism
Ways To Make MountainsWays To Make Mountains
Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains
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Extension (pull & stretch)
Erosion (off the top)
Ways To Thin the CrustWays To Thin the Crust
Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains
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Mountains can form anywhere, but mainly at tectonic plate boundaries
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Himalayas & Alps (mostly Cenozoic)
Continent-Continent Convergent MarginsContinent-Continent Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Appalachians, Urals (mostly Paleozoic)
HimalayasHimalayas
Continent-Continent Convergent MarginsContinent-Continent Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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AppalachiansAppalachians
Continent-Continent Convergent MarginsContinent-Continent Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Ocean-Continent Convergent MarginsOcean-Continent Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Andes, Cascades (mostly Cenozoic)Rocky Mountains
(Late Mesozoic-Early Cenozoic)
Andes, CascadesAndes, Cascades
Ocean-Continent Convergent MarginsOcean-Continent Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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“Continental arcs”
Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
Ocean-Continent Convergent MarginsOcean-Continent Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Aleutians, Japan(Cenozoic)
Ocean-Ocean Convergent MarginsOcean-Ocean Convergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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“Island arcs”
Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East Pacific Rise (Cenozoic)
Oceanic Divergent MarginsOceanic Divergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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“Mid-ocean Ridges”
Continental Divergent MarginsContinental Divergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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East Africa Rift, Basin & Range, Sierra Nevada(Cenozoic)
“Continental Rift”
Basin & RangeBasin & Range
Continental Divergent MarginsContinental Divergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Sierra NevadaSierra Nevada
Continental Divergent MarginsContinental Divergent Margins
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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Hawaiian Islands - Emperor Seamounts(largely Cenozoic)
Intraplate “Hotspots”Intraplate “Hotspots”
Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains
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WWW Links in this LectureWWW Links in this Lecture
> Orogeny - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orogeny
> Isostasy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isostasy
> Buoyancy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy
> Crust - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crust_%28geology%29
> Mantle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantle_%28geology%29
> Continental crust - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_crust
> Oceanic crust - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_crust
> Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains
> Tectonic plate boundaries - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics#Types_of_plate_boundaries
> Appalachian Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains
> Ural Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ural_Mountains
> Himalayas - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayas
> Alps - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps
> Andes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes
> Cascades - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Range
> Rocky Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountains
> Volcanic arc - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_arc
MountainsMountains
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WWW Links in this LectureWWW Links in this Lecture
> Aleutian Islands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleutian_Islands
> Japanese Islands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Japan
> Mid-ocean ridge - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-ocean_ridge
> Mid-Atlantic ridge - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_Ridge
> East Pacific Rise - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Pacific_Rise
> Continental rift - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rift_valley
> East African Rift - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Rift_Valley
> Basin and Range - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basin_and_Range_Province
> Sierra Nevada - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_%28U.S.%29
> Hawaiian Islands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Islands
> Emperor Seamounts - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian-
Emperor_seamount_chain
MountainsMountains
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