Massif facts for kids
A massif is a large, solid block of the Earth's crust. Think of it like a huge, strong piece of land. These blocks are often pushed upwards. This usually happens when giant pieces of the Earth's surface, called continental plates, slowly crash into each other. When they collide, one part of the rock might go up, forming the massif, while another part might move downwards towards the Earth's mantle.
The word "massif" means a big block of mountains. These mountains are formed by this powerful process. They are often surrounded by deep cracks in the Earth's crust, known as fault lines. Long, straight lines of mountains, like those found along the western side of the Americas, are usually called mountain chains, not massifs.
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What is a Massif?
A massif is a part of the Earth's crust that acts as a single, large unit. It resists being broken up by movements in the Earth. This makes it different from a long mountain chain. A massif is more like a compact group of mountains.
Famous Massifs Around the World
Many famous mountain groups are actually massifs.
- One example is Saser Kangri in the Karakoram mountain range. It is made up of six different mountains that form one large massif.
- The most well-known example of a massif is the Himalayan group. This huge mountain system includes some of the world's highest peaks.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Mont Blanc massif, an example of a massif and also the highest summit in the Alps.
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Panorama of Pirin Mountain massif, Bulgaria.
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Gran Sasso d'Italia massif seen from an airplane. Part of the Apennine Mountains, it is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy.
See also
In Spanish: Macizo para niños
