Massif facts for kids

Part of the Ennedi Massif in Chad. The sand is part of the surrounding plateau

A massif is a part of the Earth's crust that has been pushed up. Usually this happens when continental plates press against each other. One set of rocks goes up, the other goes down towards the Earth's mantle.

The word "massif" means a block of mountains formed by this process, and surrounded by fault lines. Linear mountains like those on the western side of the Americas are usually not called massifs. They are called mountain chains.

An example of a massif is Saser Kangri in the Karakoram which is made up of six mountains. The most famous example of a massif is the Himalayan group.

Panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif, an example of a massif, and the highest summit in the Alps.

Images for kids

• 

  Aerial view of Mont Blanc massif, an example of a massif and also the highest summit in the Alps.

• 

  Panorama of Pirin Mountain massif, Bulgaria

• 

  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