Tectonic plates and fold mountains

the earth is divided in  4 main layers:

• The inner core and outer core which are a solid ball of nickel and iron
• the mantel which is semi-molten rock that moves really slowly
• the crust; this is 20 km thick and is where we live.

The crust has two types of tectonic plates:

• the continental plate which is thicker and less dense than the oceanic plate and is above sea level.
• the oceanic plate which is thinner, more dense and below sea level.

The plates move because of radioactive decay called convectional currents found in the mantle. 

There are four types of plate margins or plates boundaries:

• destructive plate margin:
  plates move towards each other and they collide. The oceanic plate is subducted by the continental plate and is forced under the mantle where it is destroied. This creates earthqakes and ocean tranches. 
• Constructive plate margin:
  plates move away from each other causing magma to raise and cool down froming new landforms.
• Conservative plate margin:
  plates slides past each other or move in the same direction but at different speed.
  Crust isn't destroyed nor created 

When two plates collide, the plates themselves fold up and are forced upwards forming mountains when they smash together.

Fold mountains are formed when a continental and oceanic plate collide.
Fold mountains are also formed when two continental plates collide (himalayas in asia were formed this way)

Fold mounatins areas have very high mountains which are rocky, with steep slopes. In the highest bit of the mounatins there's often snow and glaciers; lakes are found in the valley between the mountains. 

Farming: High slopes aren't ideal for growing crops so they are used to farm mountain goats becasue they are adapted to the steep slopes. The goats will then produce milk and cheese; they will provide meat.

Hydroelectric power (HEP): the steep slopes and high lakes are ideal to generate a great amount of HEP. 60% of Bern's electricity, comes form HEP generated from fold mountains. HEP is also transported to foreing places.

Mining:Fold mountains area have lot of metal ore: silver, gold, salt and copper.
However, the steep slopes make access to mines difficult so tunnels have been craved in some mountains to get them. Mining has drastically decreased becuase of the cheaper prices of the metal from foreing countries.

Forestry: Fold mountains are great for growing scot pines and conifers. They are used to produce fuel and building materials and also to make paper and furniture.

Tourism: Fold mountains have spectacula scenery, this, attracts tourists.
In winter, tourist go there to do skiing, ice climbing, snowboarding. 

In summer, walkers enjoy the scenery.
Tunnels have been drilled on to mountains to make straight, faster streets. This improves communication for tourist and people who live locally as it's quicker to get to places.

Location: Central Europe-fold mountains stretch along Austria, Italy, German, France, Liechtenstain, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Formation: about 30 million years ago when the African plate collided with the Eurasian plate.

Tallest peack: Mount Blanc (4810m high) between the italian-french boardline.

Farming: High slopes aren't ideal for growing crops so they are used to farm mountain goats becasue they are adapted to the steep slopes. The goats will then produce milk and cheese; they will provide meat.

Hydroelectric power (HEP): the steep slopes and high lakes are ideal to generate a great amount of HEP. 60% of Bern's electricity, comes form HEP generated from fold mountains. HEP is also transported to foreing places.

Mining:Fold mountains area have lot of metal ore: silver, gold, salt and copper.
However, the steep slopes make access to mines difficult so tunnels have been craved in some mountains to get them. Mining has drastically decreased becuase of the cheaper prices of the metal from foreing countries.

Forestry: Fold mountains are great for growing scot pines and conifers. They are used to produce fuel and building materials and also to make paper and furniture.

Tourism: Fold mountains have spectacula scenery, this, attracts tourists.
In winter, tourist go there to do skiing, ice climbing, snowboarding. In summer, walkers enjoy the scenery.Tunnels have been drilled on to mountains to make straight, faster streets. This improves communication for tourist and people who live locally as it's quicker to get to places.

Remember to put all the facts and figures that you know about this; examiners love them!

Know your stuff. If you are doing higher tier, you MUST know the location of the thing you are talking about. Also, remember to put facts and figures.

Learn the case study really well! Case study are the ones that will award you with really high marks and the ìy can vary from 6 marks to 9 marks so remember to put 6-9 point with an explanation!

Good luck :D