Highly elevated part above the earth surface having the narrow peak and steep slope, such a land form is called a Mountain. A scholar named Finch defined the mountain as, “Mountains are 600 meters above sea level or higher, and with the slope of 260 degree to 350 degree.”

Mountain – Building Movements: The formation of mountains in the entire world is not a sudden process, but it is the result of a long – term process that took place at different times. Four major mountain – building movements have occurred till now. There has been a long, quiet period between these movements. Compression force must have been stored during the quiet – period, as a result of which, these movements got into action. 

The periods of mountain – building are classified into the following parts:

1. Archean Period 

2. Caledonian Period 

3. Hercynian Period 

4. Alpine Period

1. Archean Period: This event of mountain – building took place about 40 million years ago. This is an event of Cambrian Period. Under this period, the mountains that were formed are Fenno – Scandinavia in Europe; Aravalli Mountain, Dharwad, Chota Nagpur, Cudappah, Mountains of Eastern Ghat in India.

2. Caledonian Period: This period of mountain – building movement took place about 32 million years ago. Due to this movement, there was a lot of change in Europe. Abundant minerals are found in the mountains of this period. The mountains that were formed by this movement are Appalachian in America, Scottish Upland in Europe, Mountains of Ireland, Jura Mountain, Saharai Mountain in Africa, Mozambique Mountain, Mountains of Garhwal, Spiti and Vardhavan Valleys in India.

3. Hercynian Period: This period of mountain-building movement took place about 22 million years ago. Minerals, hydro – electricity and stone for construction are found in abundance in the mountains formed by this movement. The major mountains that were formed by this movement are Tian Shan, Altai Shan, Khingan and Nanshan Mountains of Asia; Eastern Cordillera Mountain in Australia; Mountains of Penine, Harz, Vosges, Black Forest, Bohemia in Europe.

4. Alpine Period: This is the latest period of mountain – building movements, which took place about 3 million years ago. This mountain – building movement was active in the new fold period of Oligocene, Miocene and Paleocene. Due to this movement, new folded mountains were formed. In this, the mountains that were formed are Himalaya, Kunlun, Karakoram, Arakan, Elburz, Hindu Kush, Rockies, Andes, Alps, Balkan, Pyrennes.