Fold Mountains (i) With the aid of a labelled diagram, explain how fold mountains are formed - Junior Cycle Geography - Question 3A - 2015

To explain the formation of fold mountains, a labelled diagram can be provided, showing the interaction between tectonic plates.

Step 1: Collision of Tectonic Plates

Fold mountains are formed when two tectonic plates collide. This collision creates immense pressure that forces the Earth's crust to fold and buckle.

Step 2: Formation of Folds

As the plates push against each other, rocks become deformed, leading to the formation of various types of folds: anticlines (upward folds) and synclines (downward folds). The intensity of the pressure and heat can cause metamorphism in the rocks involved.

Step 3: Erosion and Exposure

Over time, erosion can expose these fold mountains, allowing us to see the various layers that have been folded together in the crust. The diagram should illustrate these points clearly and label features such as the convergent boundary, anticline, and syncline.