Mountain building (or mountain formation) is one of the most spectacular but also one of the slowest processes on Earth’s surface. The geodynamic forces acting at plate boundaries and driven by either heat and/or mechanically result in the formation of mountains around the world. Their topography will depend on the material they are composed of and the tectonic, magmatic, metamorphic and climatic conditions, both at the time of their formation and in the millions of years thereafter. These also potentially lead to the concentration of economic minerals.

Table relating stress regime of mountain building, mountain types, energy sources and type of plate boundaries. Source: MBG.