Mountain ranges are formed mainly through the movement of tectonic plates, and it’s really interesting to see how our Earth is always changing. Here’s a simple explanation of how this happens:

1. Plate Boundaries: Most mountains form where two tectonic plates meet and push against each other. This is called a convergent plate boundary. When the plates collide, they create a lot of pressure, which leads to different activities in the Earth.

2. Types of Mountains: There are two main types of mountain ranges based on how they are formed:

   • Fold Mountains: These are created when two continental plates push against each other, causing the Earth’s surface to fold. A famous example is the Himalayas, which formed from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
   • Fault-Block Mountains: Sometimes, the movement of tectonic plates causes big blocks of the Earth’s surface to break and shift. This creates mountains like the Sierra Nevada.

3. Subduction Zones: In some cases, an oceanic plate (which is under the ocean) slides under a continental plate, leading to volcanoes that form mountain ranges. A good example of this is the Andes mountains in South America.

In simple terms, mountain ranges show how nature is always changing and moving. These tectonic movements reshape our landscape, reminding us that our world is always active and full of surprises!