The huge pieces that Earth’s crust is broken into are known as tectonic plates.

Converge means two things move towards each other, such as when two tectonic plates come towards one another.

A mountain is a natural raised part of Earth’s surface that is higher than a hill.

The formation of mountains

Geography

Mountains and their features

The UK's peaks

Volcanoes and their features

Living near volcanoes

The impact of eruptions: Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

This unit provides a foundation for 'UK region: Why is the Lake District a National Park?', which investigates the physical and human geography of the Lake District as a UK mountainous region, and 'Earthquakes: How do they change the world?', which focuses on earthquakes and their impact. 

This unit builds on 'Rivers: what's special about them?', which focuses on rivers as a key aspect of physical geography. This unit extends and deepens pupils’ understanding of physical geography processes by investigating the basic structure of Planet Earth, the location and key features of major mountain ranges and volcanoes, how they change, and their significance for people’s lives.

This unit introduces mountains and volcanoes, how they form, and what they’re like. Pupils study peaks in the UK and around the world, learn about volcanic eruptions, and explore how these features affect the lives of people who live nearby.

Mountains and volcanoes: what, where and why?

From the centre, name the layers that make up structure of the Earth. 

What is the temperature of the inner core? 

The largest layer of Earth is called the...

Common types of mountains include fold mountains, dome mountains and what other type of mountains?

are often not very wide and have a pointy top

Match the mountain type to the correct description

True or false? There are 7 continents on Earth.

What is the name of the highest mountain on Earth?

In which continent is Mount Everest located? 

True or false? Mountains are always covered in snow. 

True or false? You can find mountains below sea level. 

The formation of mountains

Lesson outcome