Malcolm Rivera
Mountain ranges are found on every continent, but the longest continuous chain of peaks is not located on any of these seven landmasses. The mid-ocean ridge system is the longest mountain range on Earth, stretching for about 65,000 kilometres (40,000 miles). It is a series of connected underwater mountain chains that criss-cross the planet, formed by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. The Andes, which stretch across seven countries in South America, form the longest mountain range on land, spanning about 7,000 kilometres (4,300 miles).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mid-Ocean Ridge |
| Length | 40,350-40,390 miles |
| Location | Under the ocean, across the globe |
| Composition | Thousands of individual volcanoes or volcanic ridge segments |
| Height | -7500 ft below sea level on average; -12,000 ft in the Cayman Trough; rises above sea level in Iceland |
| Longest Continental Mountain Range | The Andes, 4,300-4,700 miles long |
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What You'll Learn
The Mid-Ocean Ridge system is the longest
The Mid-Ocean Ridge system is formed by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. As the tectonic plates push apart, magma rises up to fill the gaps, forming mountains and valleys along the seafloor. This process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics creates a continuous mountain range that is several times longer than the Andes, the longest continental mountain range.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a well-studied section of the Mid-Ocean Ridge system, runs down the centre of the Atlantic Ocean, separating the North American, Eurasian, African, and South American plates. It was first discovered by Matthew Fontaine Maury in 1853 and was initially thought to be a unique feature of the Atlantic Ocean. However, as surveys of the ocean floor continued, it was found that every ocean contains parts of the Mid-Ocean Ridge system.
The Mid-Ocean Ridge system is not only the longest mountain range but also the largest single volcanic feature on Earth. The ridges exhibit active volcanism and seismicity, with hydrothermal vents introducing various elements into the ocean and contributing to the formation of new oceanic crust and lithosphere. The rate of seafloor spreading determines the morphology of the crest of the mid-ocean ridge and its width in an ocean basin.
The Mid-Ocean Ridge system is a fascinating example of the Earth's geological processes and the dynamic nature of our planet's surface. Its discovery led to the theory of seafloor spreading and the general acceptance of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift and expansion through plate tectonics.
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The Andes are the longest above-water range
The Andes are the longest above-water mountain range in the world, stretching about 7,000 kilometres (4,300 miles) from north to south through seven countries in South America: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The range is also known as the Andean Mountain Range, and its name is thought to derive from the Quechua word 'anti', meaning 'high crest' or 'east'. The Andes are not a single line of peaks but a succession of parallel and transverse mountain ranges, or cordilleras, with intervening plateaus and depressions. The Altiplano Plateau, the world's second-highest plateau, is located in the Andes.
The Andes are part of the American Cordillera, a chain of mountain ranges that form the western "backbone" of the Americas and Antarctica. The range is approximately 8,900 kilometres (5,500 miles) long and 200 to 700 kilometres (120 to 430 miles) wide, with an average height of about 4,000 metres (13,000 feet). The highest peak in the Andes, Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, rises to an elevation of about 6,961 metres (22,838 feet) above sea level.
The Andes are known for their high-altitude volcanoes, with Ojos del Salado on the Chile-Argentina border being the world's highest volcano when measured above sea level, reaching 6,893 metres (22,615 feet). The range also boasts more than 50 volcanoes that exceed 6,000 metres (19,685 feet). The Andean Volcanic Belt presents a large range of volcano-tectonic settings, including rift systems, extensional zones, and seamount chains.
The Andes have a significant impact on the climate of the region, acting as a barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the continent. The northern and eastern parts of the Andes are typically rainy and warm, while the western side is dominated by the dry climate of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The mountain range is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Andean condor, the largest bird of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
The Andes also hold historical significance, with ruins of ancient civilisations such as the Incas, who established themselves in the Peruvian Andes in the 15th century. Machu Picchu, located in the Peru portion of the mountain range, served as a glimpse into the life of the Incas and is now a major tourist destination.
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Mountain chains are formed by plate tectonics
The longest continuous mountain chain in the world is a matter of perspective. The Andes are the longest above-water mountain range, stretching about 7,000 km (4,300 mi) through seven countries in South America: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. However, if submarine mountains are included, the longest mountain range is the Mid-Ocean Ridge, which extends for about 65,000 km (40,389 mi) around the globe.
Mountain chains are formed by the process of plate tectonics. Tectonic plates slowly slide over the Earth's mantle, which is a lower place of rock heated by the Earth's interior. The heat in the mantle produces tremendous forces that can buckle the material at the edges of the plates to form mountains. When two continental plates collide, the Earth's crust can fold, bend, and alter, resulting in some portions rising steeply into the atmosphere to form mountains. As the plates continue to collide, the mountains get taller and taller.
The type of plates involved in the collision also matters. For instance, the collision of two continental plates will result in gigantic mountain ranges. In contrast, the subduction of an oceanic crust beneath a continental or oceanic plate creates a volcanic arc. Furthermore, the angle of subduction can also affect the formation of mountains. A shallow angle of subduction will impact the continent farther inland, as seen with the formation of the Rocky Mountains due to the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate.
It is important to note that not all mountains are formed by colliding plates. For example, the mountains in New Mexico, such as the Sandias and Manzanos, were created by rifting. As plates spread, a rift valley forms, and the blocks on the margin rotate, creating highs along the margin of the valley. Additionally, plate boundaries are not always clearly defined, and mountains can form far from major plate boundaries due to hotspots, flat slab subduction, a hot upper mantle, and ancient plate sutures.
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The Rockies are not the longest range
The Rocky Mountains, or "the Rockies", are a vast mountain range that runs through North America, from Alaska in the US to Mexico. Colloquially, this mountain range is often referred to as "the Rockies". While the Rockies are impressive, stretching about 3,000 miles and spanning two countries, they are not the longest mountain range in the world.
The Andes, which stretch across South America, are the longest above-water mountain range. This mountain range is about 7,000 kilometres or 4,300 miles long and passes through seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The Andes boast the highest peak in the Americas, with Aconcagua reaching 6,962 metres or 22,841 feet.
However, if submarine mountains are taken into account, the longest mountain range in the world is the mid-ocean ridge system, also known as the global mid-ocean ridge. This system extends for approximately 65,000 kilometres or 40,000 miles, with about 90% of it lying underwater. The mid-ocean ridge system was only discovered in the 1950s due to its largely underwater location. It was formed by the movement of tectonic plates, with magma rising to fill the gaps as the plates spread apart, creating mountains and valleys along the seafloor.
Thus, while the Rockies are an impressive mountain range, they are not the longest range in the world, with both the Andes and the mid-ocean ridge surpassing them in length.
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The Andes span seven countries
The Andes are the world's longest above-water mountain range, stretching about 7,000 km (4,300 mi) or 8,900 km (5,500 mi) from north to south through seven South American countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The mountain range forms an unbroken rampart from the southern tip of South America to the continent's northernmost coast on the Caribbean and is about 200 to 700 km (120 to 430 mi) wide. The highest peak in the Andes is Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, which rises to an elevation of about 6,961 m to 6,962 m (22,838 to 22,841 ft) above sea level. The mountain range is known for its volcanoes, its role in the origin of malaria treatment, and the presence of ruins from ancient civilizations such as the Inca empire and the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu.
The largest cities in the Andes are Bogotá, with a metropolitan population of over ten million, and Santiago, Medellín, Cali, and Quito. Lima is a coastal city adjacent to the Andes and is the largest city of all Andean countries. The rough terrain has made building highways and railroads that cross the Andes costly and challenging, even with modern civil engineering practices. The main crossover between Argentina and Chile is still accomplished through the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores. Mining is also a significant industry in the Andes, with Chile and Peru being the first and second major producers of copper in the world, respectively. The Bolivian Andes are known for their historical silver mining and current tin production.
The Andes are the highest mountain range outside of Asia and contain the highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere. The peak of Chimborazo in the Ecuadorian Andes is the planet's tallest point when measured from the Earth's centre due to the equatorial bulge resulting from the Earth's rotation. The highest altitude in the Andes at which people have resided permanently is 17,100 feet (5,212 metres) in southern Peru, and temporary workers have been recorded at altitudes of 18,500 to 19,000 feet (5,639 to 5,791 metres) at the Carrasco Mine in the Atacama Desert in Chile.
The Andes are part of a continuous mountain chain that includes the Rocky Mountains in North America. Together, they form the cordilleran backbone of the great upland system, extending from Alaska to the southern tip of South America.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mid-Ocean Ridge is the longest mountain range on Earth, spanning 40,389 miles (some sources state 40,000 miles or 40,350 miles) around the globe.
The Mid-Ocean Ridge is located underwater, at the bottom of the sea. It traces the outline of the Earth's tectonic plates and spreads around the globe in a pattern likened to the seams on a baseball.
The Andes is the longest mountain range on land, stretching about 7,000 km (4,300 miles or 4,700 miles according to some sources) through seven countries in South America: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
