Mountains (Topical Term)

Glossary of geology, 1997: p. 421 (mountain (a) Any part of the Earth's crust higher than a hill, sufficiently elevated above the surrounding land surface of which it forms a part to be considered worthy of a distinctive name, characterized by a restricted summit area (as distinguished from a plateau), and generally having comparatively steep sides and considerable bare-rock surface; it can occur as a single, isolated eminence, or in a group forming a long chain or range, and it may form by earth movements, erosion, or volcanic action. Generally, a mountain is considered to project at least 300 m. (1000 ft.) above the surrounding land, although older usage refers to an altitude of 600 m. (2000 ft.) or more above sea level. Syn.: mount. (b) Any conspicuous or prominent elevation in an area of low relief, esp. one rising abruptly from the surrounding land and having a rounded base; mount (a) An abbreviated form of the term mountain, esp. used preceding a proper name and usually referring to a particular summit within a group of elevations; e.g. Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. (b) A high hill; esp. an eminence rising abruptly above the surrounding land surface, such as Mount Vesuvius) p. 299 (hill (a) A natural elevation of the land surface, rising rather promininently above the surrounding land, usually of limited extent and having a well-defined outline (rounded rather than peaked or rugged), and generally considered to be less than 300 m. (1000 ft.) from base to summit; the distinction between a hill and a mountain is arbitrary and dependent on local usage. See also: mount. (b) Any slightly elevated ground or other conspicuous elevation in a relatively flat area. (c) An eminence of inferior elevation in an area of rugged relief.) p. 639 (summit (a) The top, or the highest point or level, of an undulating land feature, as of a hill, mountain, volcano, or rolling plain; a peak. See also: crest (geomorph.). (b) Loosely, a divide or pass; e.g. Donner Summit, Calif.) p. 488 (pinnacle (geomorph.) (a) A tall slender tapering tower or spire-shaped pillar of rock, either isolated or at the summit of a mountain or hill; esp. a lofty peak. (b) A hill or mountain with a pointed summit.) p. 470 (peak (geomorph.) (a) The more or less conical or pointed top of a hill or mountain; one of the crests of a mountain; a prominent summit or the higher point. (b) An individual mountain or hill taken as a whole, esp. when isolated or having a pointed, conspicuous summit.)

LC Database, Oct. 4, 2002 (titles: mountain peaks)

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