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Silvretta panorama from the Ochsenkopf

A mountain is an elevated portion of the surface of a planet, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain is usually considered higher than a hill, typically rising 300 metres (980 ft) above the surrounding land. It may either have a limited summit area or be a smaller plateau with high elevation and steep sides. A few mountains are isolated summits, but most occur in mountain ranges.^{[page needed]}

Mountains are formed through tectonic forces, erosion, or volcanism,^{[page needed]} which act on time scales of up to tens of millions of years. Once mountain building ceases, mountains are slowly leveled through the action of weathering, through slumping and other forms of mass wasting, as well as through erosion by rivers and glaciers.

High elevations on mountains produce colder climates than at sea level at similar latitude. These colder climates strongly affect the ecosystems of mountains: different elevations have different plants and animals. Because of the less hospitable terrain and climate, mountains tend to be used less for agriculture and more for resource extraction, such as mining and logging, along with recreation, such as mountain climbing and skiing.

The highest mountain on Earth is Mount Everest in the Himalayas of Asia, whose summit is 8,850 m (29,035 ft) above mean sea level. The highest known mountain on any planet in the Solar System is Olympus Mons on Mars at 21,171 m (69,459 ft). The highest mountain from base to peak Mauna Kea in Hawaii at 9,330 m (30,610 ft) from its base at the bottom of the ocean; some scientists consider it to be the tallest on earth. (Full article...)

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A rift valley is a linear shaped lowland between several highlands or mountain ranges produced by the action of a geologic rift. Rifts are formed as a result of the pulling apart of the lithosphere due to extensional tectonics. The linear depression may subsequently be further deepened by the forces of erosion. More generally the valley is likely to be filled with sedimentary deposits derived from the rift flanks and the surrounding areas. In many cases rift lakes are formed. One of the best known examples of this process is the East African Rift. On Earth, rifts can occur at all elevations, from the sea floor to plateaus and mountain ranges in continental crust or in oceanic crust. They are often associated with a number of adjoining subsidiary or co-extensive valleys, which are typically considered part of the principal rift valley geologically. (Full article...)

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The Brabazon Range ( Brabazon Mountains ) is a mountain range located in the U.S. state of Alaska in Saint Elias Mountains in Tongass National Forest. The Brabazon Range stretches for about 28 miles from Alsek River at Gateway Knob to Harlequin Lake, located 44 miles southeast of Yakutat in south central Alaska. It is situated to the southeast of Mount Reaburn (1684 m) and northeast of Square Lake Cabin and north of Bear Island.

The name for the mountain ranger was first proposed by then University of Wisconsin geologist, Eliot Blackwelder. It is named after A. J. Brabazon, who created the first topographic map of the ranger in 1895. (Full article...)

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Fell (from Old Norse: fell, "mountain → landscape over the tree line"; cf. Icelandic: fell, Norwegian: fjell, Swedish: fjäll) is a high and barren landscape feature, such as a mountain or moor-covered hill, often mountain landscape over the tree line, etc. The term is most often employed in Fennoscandia, Iceland, the Isle of Man, parts of northern England, and Scotland. (Full article...)

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An ice axe is a multi-purpose hiking and climbing tool used by mountaineers in both the ascent and descent of routes that involve snow or ice covered (e.g. ice climbing or mixed climbing) conditions. Its use depends on the terrain: in its simplest role it is used like a walking stick, with the mountaineer holding the head in the center of their uphill hand. On steep terrain it is swung by its handle and embedded in snow or ice for security and an aid to traction. It can also be buried pick down, the rope tied around the shaft to form a secure anchor on which to bring up a second climber, or buried vertically to form a stomp belay. The adze is used to cut footholds, as well as scoop out compacted snow to bury the axe as a belay anchor. (Full article...)

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General images

The following are images from various mountain-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Edmund Hillary (left) and Tenzing Norgay after successfully completing the first ascent of Mount Everest, 29 May 1953
Image 2Climber approaching the summit of Manaslu at 8,163 metres (from Mountaineering)
Image 3Apennine Mountains and Trebbia river, Italy (from Mountain)
Image 4Treeline elevation by latitude (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 5Car of Horská služba (Czech Republic) (from Mountain rescue)
Image 6Climbers ascending Mount Rainier looking at Little Tahoma Peak, United States (from Mountaineering)
Image 7A subalpine lake in the Cascade Range, Washington, United States (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 8The city of La Paz reaches up to 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) in elevation. Mount Illimani dominates the city's skyline. (from Mountain)
Image 9Cabane du Trient, a mountain hut in the Swiss Alps (from Mountaineering)
Image 10Everest is highest from sea level (green), Mauna Kea is highest from its base (orange), Cayambe is farthest from Earth's axis (pink) and Chimborazo is farthest from Earth's centre (blue) (from Mountain)
Image 11Mount Everest, Earth's highest mountain (from Mountain)
Image 12Illustration of mountains that developed on a fold that has been thrust (from Mountain)
Image 13Edelweiss, a plant associated with mountain sports (from Mountaineering)
Image 14Winter campers bivouaced in the snow (from Mountaineering)
Image 15Mountaineers proceed across snow fields on South Tyrol; other climbers are visible further up the slopes. (from Mountaineering)
Image 16Fixed lines and ladders are distinguishing characteristics of expedition style mountaineering (from Mountaineering)
Image 17This 1848 "Sketch showing the actual elevation of the Snow Line in different Latitudes" by Alexander Keith Johnston shows the snow lines of mountains in America, Europe and Asia. (from Snow line)
Image 18Tropical montane forest at around 2,000 m in Malaysia (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 19Alpine landscape below Malyovitsa Peak, Rila Mountain, Bulgaria (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 20Distribution of mountains by location and elevation (from Mountain)
Image 21Waimea Canyon, Hawaii, is known for its montane vegetation. (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 22K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, is revered for its isolation, difficulty, and the profound sense of awe it inspires among climbers. Many alpinists describe ascents of peaks like K2 as deeply spiritual experiences, combining physical challenge with introspection and transcendence. (from Mountaineering)
Image 23An alpine mire in the Swiss Alps (from Mountain)
Image 24Temperate montane forest in Bavaria, Germany (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 25Alpine flora near Cascade Pass (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 26Chimborazo, Ecuador, whose summit is the point farthest away from the Earth's center (from Mountain)
Image 27The Andes, the longest mountain range on the surface of the Earth, have a dramatic impact on the climate of South America (from Mountain range)
Image 28A stand of mountain birch at around 750 m in Trollheimen, typical of Scandinavian subalpine forests (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 29Choppering out the injured – with Mt. Forbes in the background (from Mountain rescue)
Image 30The Ocean Ridge, the world's longest mountain range (chain) (from Mountain range)
Image 31Antique climbing tools (from Mountaineering)
Image 32Edward Whymper (1840–1911), painting by Lance Calkin (from Mountaineering)
Image 33Mountaineers, c. 1900 (from Mountaineering)
Image 34Iranian oak scrub in the Zagros Mountains (from Montane ecosystem)
Image 35Fuji volcano (from Mountain)
Image 36Stretcher box in Cumbria, England, prepositioned equipment saves mountain rescue teams having to trudge up mountains with it. (from Mountain rescue)
Image 37British mountaineer William Cecil Slingsby became known as the father of Norwegian mountaineering and contributed greatly to its popularization with his classic book Norway, the Northern Playground (from Mountaineering)
Image 38The northern Urals at high latitude and elevation have an alpine climate and barren ground. (from Mountain)
Image 39Montes Apenninus on the Moon was formed by an impact event. (from Mountain range)
Image 40The Namcha Barwa Himal, east part of the Himalayas as seen from space by Apollo 9 (from Mountain range)