Plate Tectonics and Fold Mountains:

Plate Tectonics:
1. The theory of plate tectonics states that the lithosphere is
divided into large, rigid sections called plates, which move
slowly on the semi-molten magma.
2. The plates move because heat from the earths core causes the
magma to flow in huge, slow-moving convection currents in
the upper mantle.
3. These convection currents drag the plates along with them, in
a process known as slab pull, resulting in convergent,
divergent or conservative plate boundaries.
4. The distribution of fold mountains is linked with the tectonic
cycle, with fold mountains occurring at oceanic-continental
and continental-continental convergent plate boundaries.

Fold Mountains - Subduction Zones:

1. Fold mountains occur at subduction zones, where convection
currents in the mantle cause an oceanic plate to collide with a
continental plate.
2. The heavier oceanic crust slides beneath the lighter
continental crust, with the sediments carried by the oceanic
crust piling against the continental crust.
3. The huge pressure caused by the plate collision slowly
compresses the sediments and uplifts them, with the rocks of
the continental crust being simultaneously folded and
uplifted.
4. Over millions of years high mountains of folded rock are
formed, e.g. the Jura Mountains.
5. Fold mountains formed in this way may also have volcanic
mountains within them because as the oceanic crust is
subducted below the continental crust it melts and is recycled.
6. The Andes fold mountains have active volcanoes such as
Cotapaxi within them.

Fold Mountains - Continental Plate Collision:

1. Fold mountains also occur where two continental plates
collide, such as where the Indian plate meets the Eurasian
plate.
2. Both continental plates resist sinking because they are made
of rocks rich in silicon and aluminium, making them much
less dense than the material below.
3. The slow collision causes the rock on both plates to fold and
be uplifted, with the Himalaya Mountains being uplifted at a
rate of only 1cm per year.
4. In Ireland, the fold mountains of Munster Ridge and Valley
province were formed by continental plate collision 350
million years ago during the Armorican phase of mountain
building.
5. Today sandstone anticlines form the mountain ridges and
limestone-covered valleys form the fold synclines.