mountain chain
Connected summit series
A mountain chain is a series of connected mountains forming a continuous elevated ridge or system.
The term emphasizes the linear arrangement of peaks, often resulting from the same geological forces: The Andes form the longest continental mountain chain in the world.
Mountain chain and mountain range are largely interchangeable, though chain may suggest a more distinct linear sequence.
Extent of variation
- cordilleraLinked mountain ranges
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- massifUnified mountain group
sierra · belt · arc · system · fold · thrust · continental divide · watershed
Range of life forms
- alpineOf high elevations
- montaneOf cooler elevated zones
- treelineElevation limit for forests
- endemicNative to one area
flora · fauna · habitat · glacier · permafrost · tundra · coniferous · deciduous
Impressively dignified and beautiful
- toweringOf imposing height
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
- vastExtremely great in size
- panoramicOffering unobstructed wide view
sweeping · rugged · dramatic · snow-capped · jagged · formidable · ancient · monumental
Asia's highest range
- AndesSouth American western range
- RockiesNorth American mountain chain
- AlpsEuropean mountain system
- AppalachiansEastern U.S. mountain chain
Cascades · Pyrenees · Urals · Atlas · Carpathians · Karakoram · Hindu Kush · Caucasus
Organized exploratory journey
- traverseMove across an area
- alpinistHigh-peak climber
- cartographyCreating geographic representations
- surveySystematic data collection
mapping · first ascent · basecamp · route · passage · crossing · pioneer · geological survey
range
Extent of variation
- cordilleraLinked mountain ranges
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- spineColumn of vertebrae
massif · sierra · belt · arc · system · fold · thrust · continental divide · watershed · orogenic
biodiversity
Range of life forms
endemic · flora · fauna · habitat · glacier · permafrost · tundra · coniferous · deciduous · watershed
majestic
Impressively dignified and beautiful
panoramic · sweeping · rugged · dramatic · snow-capped · jagged · formidable · ancient · monumental · breathtaking
Himalayas
Asia's highest range
Appalachians · Cascades · Pyrenees · Urals · Atlas · Carpathians · Karakoram · Hindu Kush · Caucasus · Sierra Nevada
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- traverseMove across an area
- alpinistHigh-peak climber
- cartographyCreating geographic representations
survey · mapping · first ascent · basecamp · route · passage · crossing · pioneer · geological survey · aerial reconnaissance
mountain chainocean trench
deep-sea trench · valley · canyon · depression · abyss
chain, mount, mountain, chains, mountainous, chained, mountaintop, unchained, mountainside