Problems of the Earth's mountain belts development

Abstract

Mountain belts origin is discussed with special reference to transcontinental belts (Alps-Hymalayas and Andes-Cordilleras) and mid-oceanic ridges, the plate tectonics hypothesis being critically reviewed, Mountain belts belong to different taxonomic categories, but have many topographic features in common in spite of differences in lithospheric structure. Reconstructions based on the plate tectonics cannot explain most essential morphological features of mountains regions such as the Alps, the Carpathians, the Hymalayas, the Andes and others. The comparison between transoceanic and transcontinental belts reveals in the latter two classes of mountain-forming processes: geosynclinal and riftogenous ones. Convection processes in the mantle and stratification of the upper mantle and the earthcrust are but in small degree maifested in the mountain belts present morphology and outlines. The mantle's control over the earthcrusts's structural layers development on continents seems to lessen gradually upwards.