The Creation of the Alps

The Alps were formed by the movement of tectonic plates and glaciers.  Millions of year ago, Europe and Africa had an ocean between them.  The ocean was called Tethys.  Around 30-24 million years ago the two continental plates collided together to make the Alps.  When the two plates collided, they pushed up granite from below and the mountains were formed.  Another thing that made the Alps was glaciers. Surface glaciers are large sheets of ice that form high up in mountains where it is cold.  These glaciers gradually move down the mountain pushing and cracking rocks. This creates jagged and steep mountain sides. Over time the glaciers expand and later they melt.  Once the glaciers recede, they leave rocks and boulders behind.  They also leave bowls which some people ski in.  Mont Blanc is one of the many mountains in the Alps that was formed by glaciers. Next time you see mountains you can see how glaciers or tectonic plates may have formed them.

These mountains in Styria, Austria were formed by glaciers.  Notice the jagged edges and the steep sides.

This mountain near Bad Mitterndorf, Austria is made of granite that was pushed up by tectonic plates.

In this image there is a bowl made by a glacier melting. Bowls can make great places for downhill skiing. This photo was taken from Tauplitz ski area in Austria.

Source

On this mountain, Mont Blanc, you can see how it was cracked and formed by glaciers.

All photos by Nicholas, Simone and Mark except where noted.