cordillera
Parallel peak chains
A cordillera is a chain or system of mountain ranges, typically extending across a large region.
The term is most often applied to the major mountain systems of western North and South America: The cordillera runs the length of the continent.
Spanish in origin, the word appears in English geographical and geological contexts when describing extensive, parallel ranges rather than isolated peaks. (Capitalized Cordillera often appears in proper names of specific mountain systems.)
Peak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- massifUnified mountain group
- sierraSaw-toothed mountain range
crag · pinnacle · escarpment · prominence · spur · horn · crest · saddle
Geological mountain formation
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- faultingAttributing blame to another
- foldingBending something over itself
volcanism · subduction · erosion · strata · lithosphere · granite · basalt · metamorphic
summit
Peak or diplomatic gathering
sierra · crag · pinnacle · escarpment · prominence · spur · horn · crest · saddle · col
orogeny
Geological mountain formation
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- faultingAttributing blame to another
folding · volcanism · subduction · erosion · strata · lithosphere · granite · basalt · metamorphic · igneous
- geografiaAmerica, Africa, Asia, Europa, Oceania
- mountainsmountain, peaks, peak, summit, summits
- high-altitude regionsAlps, Andes, Himalayas, Rockies, Tibet
- mountain termsAlps, Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, peaks
- mountain terrainpeak, ridge, slope, gorge, pass
- ChileSantiago, Valparaiso, Patagonia, Atacama, Easter Island
cordilleravalley
Low ground between heights
lowland · basin · depression · plain · dene
- Cordillera CentralMajor Philippine highland system