Erosion Landform ( 19. Ridge )

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A mountain ridge in Japan

• A ridge is consisting of a chain of mountains / hills.

• Formed  as continuous elevated crest for some distance.

Types of ridges

1. Dendritic ridge

Dendritic ridge

• In typical dissected plateau terrain.

• The stream drainage valleys will leave intervening ridges.

• These are most common ridges.

• Represent more erosion resistant rock.

2. Stratigraphic ridge

Stratigraphic ridg

• In places such as  Ridge & valley Appalachians.

• Formed un eroded edges.

• Strata that were folded laterally.

• Formed in Black Hills.

• Concentric circles around the igneous core.

• Sometimes these ridges are called "hogback ridges".

3. Oceanic spreading ridge

• Tectonic spreading zones such as at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

• The volcanic activity forming new plate boundary.

• Isostatic settling & erosion gradually reduce elevations moving away from the zone.

4. Crater ridges

• Large meteorite strikes.

• Formed by large impact craters.

• Bordered by circular ridges.

5. Volcanic caldera ridges

• Large volcanoes  leave collapsed central calderas.

• That are bordered by circular ridges.

6. Fault ridges

• Formed by escarpments.

• The tops of the escarpments form not plateaus.

7. Dune ridges

• In areas of large-scale dune activity.

• Result in sand ridges.

8. Moraines and eskers

• Glacial activity leave ridges.

• An arête is a thin ridge of rock.

• That is formed by glacial erosion.

9. Volcanic sub glacial ridges

• Create ridge like formations.

• Lava erupts through a thick glacier / ice sheet.

10. Shutter ridges

• Which has moved along a fault line.

• Blocking / diverting drainage.

• Creates a valley corresponding to the alignment of the fault that produces it.