Answer: Mountains are created by tectonic forces that cause large-scale movements in the Earth's crust. The two primary types of tectonic forces that create mountains are compression and tension.
Explanation: Compression occurs when tectonic plates collide, causing the rock in between to be squeezed and folded. This process is known as folding, and it can create mountain ranges with long, parallel ridges, such as the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States.
Tension occurs when tectonic plates pull away from each other, creating a rift or a valley. This process can cause volcanic activity, and it can also create mountains as magma rises and solidifies. An example of this is the East African Rift Valley, which has created several mountains, including Mount Kilimanjaro.
In addition to compression and tension, mountains can also be created by uplift, which occurs when large blocks of rock are pushed upward by forces deep within the Earth's crust. This process can create fault-block mountains, such as the Sierra Nevada range in California.
Overall, the creation of mountains is a complex process that involves various types of tectonic forces and geological processes.