How are mountains formed through tectonic processes?

Mountains are primarily formed through the collision and compression of tectonic plates, a process known as orogeny. When two continental plates converge, the immense pressure generated from their collision forces the crust upward, leading to the formation of mountain ranges. This can occur over millions of years, resulting in complex geological features.

While volcanic activity can also play a role in mountain formation, particularly with the creation of volcanic mountains, the most significant mountains typically arise from the tectonic processes involving plate interactions. Erosion, while it shapes existing mountains, is not a primary mechanism for their initial formation. Similarly, uplifting of oceanic crust pertains more to the development of features such as mid-ocean ridges rather than continental mountain ranges. Therefore, the collision and compression of tectonic plates is the fundamental process responsible for the formation of many mountains around the world.