massifs
Compact mountain groups
Massifs are large mountain masses or compact groups of connected mountains forming an independent portion of a range.
The term comes from French and emphasizes the bulk and solidity of these formations rather than individual peaks.
Geologists use massif to describe ancient, rigid blocks of the earth's crust that resist deformation.
The Mont Blanc massif dominates the Alps between France and Italy.
In military contexts, a massif can represent strategic high ground that's difficult to traverse or capture.
Extended series of peaks
- peaksHighest points attained
- summitsHighest elevations or conferences
- ridgesNarrow elevated formations
- alpineOf high elevations
rock formations · granite · erosion · tectonic · uplift · escarpments · plateaus · elevation
European mountain system
- HimalayasAsia's highest range
- Mont BlancHighest Alpine mountain
- PyreneesFranco-Spanish mountain range
- AndesSouth American western range
Rockies · Jura · Dolomites · Carpathians · Atlas Mountains · Caucasus · Karakoram · Pamirs
Organized exploratory journey
- ascentUpward movement
- base campExpedition's operational hub
- mountaineeringSport of climbing peaks
- routesPaths for travel
technical · ropes · crampons · ice axes · porters · altitude · acclimatization · summit attempt
High-elevation mountain grasslands
- treelineElevation limit for forests
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- snowfieldsPermanent snow-covered terrain
- watershedsRegions draining to outlets
biodiversity · ibex · chamois · marmots · eagles · endemic species · permafrost · avalanche zones
mountain ranges
Extended series of peaks
- peaksHighest points attained
- summitsHighest elevations or conferences
- ridgesNarrow elevated formations
alpine · rock formations · granite · erosion · tectonic · uplift · escarpments · plateaus · elevation · bedrock
Alps
European mountain system
- HimalayasAsia's highest range
- Mont BlancHighest Alpine mountain
- PyreneesFranco-Spanish mountain range
Andes · Rockies · Jura · Dolomites · Carpathians · Atlas Mountains · Caucasus · Karakoram · Pamirs · Hindu Kush
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- ascentUpward movement
- base campExpedition's operational hub
- mountaineeringSport of climbing peaks
routes · technical · ropes · crampons · ice axes · porters · altitude · acclimatization · summit attempt · bivouac
alpine meadows
High-elevation mountain grasslands
- treelineElevation limit for forests
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- snowfieldsPermanent snow-covered terrain
watersheds · biodiversity · ibex · chamois · marmots · eagles · endemic species · permafrost · avalanche zones · mountain streams
- mountainsmountain, peaks, peak, summit, summits
- moonfull moon, lunar, crescent moon, new moon, half moon
- rocky terraincliffs, boulders, scree, outcrops, rockfall
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- desert geologyslot canyon, slot canyons, dunes, ergs, mesa