Mountains & Glaciers

Overview

Mountains and glaciers form a critical component of physical geography in the UPSSSC PET syllabus. This topic tests your understanding of India's diverse mountain systems—particularly the Himalayas and peninsular ranges—alongside major world mountain ranges and significant glaciers globally. Questions typically focus on location, formation processes, highest peaks, associated glaciers, and their geographical significance.

For the exam, expect 2–4 direct questions covering mountain ranges (fold vs block mountains), peak locations, glacier names, and basic physiographic features. Candidates must be familiar with the Himalayan divisions (Greater, Lesser, Outer), key passes, major peninsular ranges (Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Vindhyas, Satpuras), and world mountain systems (Rockies, Andes, Alps). Glacier-related questions focus on major Indian and world glaciers, their locations, and basic glacier terminology.

Master the spatial distribution—know which ranges lie in which states/countries, understand the difference between young fold mountains and old block mountains, and memorize at least 5–6 major peaks and glaciers with precise locations. This foundational knowledge connects to climate, rivers, and biodiversity topics elsewhere in the syllabus.

Key Concepts

• **Fold Mountains vs Block Mountains**: Fold mountains (Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, Alps) form from tectonic plate collision causing sediment folding; they are young, tall, and seismically active. Block mountains (Aravalli, Satpura, Vindhyas) are remnants of ancient ranges, formed by faulting and erosion; they are low, stable, and composed of hard crystalline rocks.

• **Himalayan Divisions**: The Himalayas divide into three parallel ranges—Greater Himalayas (Himadri, continuous, snowbound, 6000m+ peaks), Lesser Himalayas (Himachal, 3700–4500m, includes hill stations like Shimla, Mussoorie), and Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks, 900–1200m, foothill range with duns/valleys).

• **Regional Himalayan Sections**: From west to east—Punjab/Kashmir Himalayas, Kumaon Himalayas, Nepal Himalayas, Assam/Eastern Himalayas. Each section has distinct geological and climatic features.

• **Peninsular Ranges**: Western Ghats (Sahyadris) run parallel to west coast, 1600km long, higher in south (Anaimudi 2695m); Eastern Ghats are discontinuous, lower, cut by rivers; Aravalli (oldest fold mountains in India, now highly eroded); Vindhyas and Satpuras form central highlands separating north and south India.

• **Glaciers**: Rivers of ice formed from compacted snow in high mountains. Glaciers erode valleys (U-shaped), transport debris (moraines), and are freshwater reservoirs. Retreating glaciers indicate climate change.

• **Major World Mountain Systems**: Andes (South America, longest 7000km), Rockies (North America, 4800km), Alps (Europe, Mont Blanc 4808m), Atlas (North Africa), Ural (Europe-Asia boundary), Great Dividing Range (Australia).

Formulas / Key Facts

**Indian Mountains:**

• **Highest Peak in India**: Kanchenjunga (8586m) in Sikkim (world's third highest; K2 8611m is in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir).
• **Himalayan Length**: ~2400km arc from Nanga Parbat (west) to Namcha Barwa (east).
• **Major Himalayan Passes**: Zoji La (Srinagar-Leh), Rohtang Pass (Manali-Leh), Nathu La (Sikkim-Tibet), Shipki La (Himachal-Tibet).
• **Western Ghats**: Average elevation 900m; highest peak Anaimudi (Kerala); UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• **Eastern Ghats**: Average elevation 600m; highest peak Mahendragiri (1501m, Odisha); divided by Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri rivers.
• **Aravalli Range**: Oldest mountains in India; highest peak Guru Shikhar (1722m, Mount Abu, Rajasthan).
• **Vindhya Range**: Runs east-west, separates Indo-Gangetic plain from Deccan plateau.

**World Mountains:**

• **Highest Peak**: Mount Everest (8849m, Nepal-Tibet border).
• **Longest Range**: Andes (~7000km, running along South America's west coast).
• **Highest Peak outside Asia**: Aconcagua (6961m, Andes, Argentina).
• **Highest in Africa**: Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m, Tanzania).
• **Highest in Europe**: Mount Elbrus (5642m, Caucasus, Russia).
• **Highest in North America**: Denali/Mount McKinley (6190m, Alaska, USA).

**Major Glaciers:**

• **Siachen Glacier**: Longest glacier in Karakoram, 76km; located in Ladakh; world's highest battlefield.
• **Gangotri Glacier**: 30km, Uttarakhand; source of river Bhagirathi (main Ganga tributary).
• **Zemu Glacier**: Sikkim, 26km; feeds Teesta river.
• **Pindari Glacier**: Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand; 3km long, accessible trekking glacier.
• **Lambert Glacier**: Antarctica; world's longest glacier (~400km).
• **Baltoro Glacier**: Karakoram, Pakistan; 63km; K2 lies nearby.

Worked Examples

**Example 1: Identifying Mountain Type** *Question: The Aravalli range is an example of which type of mountain?*

**Solution**: The Aravalli is a **block mountain** (or relict fold mountain). It is one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, formed during the Precambrian era. Originally a fold mountain, it has been heavily eroded over billions of years and now consists of residual hills with hard crystalline rocks. Unlike young fold mountains (Himalayas), Aravallis are tectonically stable with no seismic activity. **Answer: Block/Relict mountains**.

**Example 2: Himalayan Pass Location** *Question: Nathu La pass connects India with which country?*

**Solution**: Nathu La (4310m) is a mountain pass in the Himalayas located in Sikkim on the Indo-Tibetan border. It connects Sikkim (India) with the Tibet Autonomous Region (China). The pass was reopened for trade in 2006 after remaining closed since 1962. **Answer: China (Tibet)**.

**Example 3: Glacier Identification** *Question: Which glacier is the primary source of the Bhagirathi river?*

**Solution**: The **Gangotri Glacier** in Uttarakhand is the source of the Bhagirathi river, which later joins Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga. The glacier is approximately 30km long and terminates at Gaumukh (3892m), the snout from which the Bhagirathi emerges. Gangotri town is a major pilgrimage site located ~19km from the glacier snout. **Answer: Gangotri Glacier**.

Common Mistakes

• **Confusing Eastern and Western Ghats**: Students often mix their characteristics. **Wrong**: Thinking Western Ghats are discontinuous. **Correct**: Western Ghats are continuous and higher; Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and cut by rivers.

• **K2 as India's Highest Peak**: K2 (8611m) lies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, not Indian territory. **Wrong**: Claiming K2 as India's highest. **Correct**: Kanchenjunga (8586m) in Sikkim is India's highest peak.

• **Mixing Himalayan Divisions**: Students confuse Greater with Lesser Himalayas. **Wrong**: Placing hill stations like Shimla in Greater Himalayas. **Correct**: Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital are in Lesser Himalayas (Himachal range); Greater Himalayas are permanently snowbound with peaks above 6000m.

• **World's Longest vs Highest Range**: **Wrong**: Calling Himalayas the longest range. **Correct**: Andes is the longest (~7000km); Himalayas contain the highest peaks but span ~2400km.

• **Glacier vs River Confusion**: **Wrong**: Calling glaciers "frozen rivers." **Correct**: Glaciers are moving masses of ice formed from compacted snow; they feed rivers but are not rivers themselves. Rivers of ice is metaphorical.

Quick Reference

• **Himalayan Trinity**: Himadri (Greater, 6000m+) > Himachal (Lesser, 3700–4500m) > Shiwalik (Outer, 900–1200m).
• **India's Highest**: Kanchenjunga (8586m, Sikkim); World's Highest: Everest (8849m, Nepal-Tibet).
• **Longest Ranges**: Andes (7000km) > Rockies (4800km) > Himalayas (2400km).
• **Key Peninsular Peaks**: Anaimudi (2695m, Western Ghats) highest in South India; Guru Shikhar (1722m, Aravalli).
• **Major Indian Glaciers**: Siachen (76km, Ladakh) > Gangotri (30km, Uttarakhand) > Zemu (26km, Sikkim).
• **Oldest Indian Range**: Aravalli (Precambrian, heavily eroded block mountains).