Contents of 13.5 How and where do mountains form?

Cross section diagram with bread dough spreading out under its own weight like a mountain will under its own weight.

13.5 How and where do mountains form?

Fig 13.22

Mountains have limits to the height they can grow. Continental rocks are not especially strong and will fail when certain limits are reached. Just like bread dough set upon a counter, a mountain that is too thick will slowly collapse under its own weight. This will cause an outflow of rock material that stresses adjacent rock.