Author Topic: What’s the definition of a mountain vs a hill? (Read 1025 times)

miles · « **on:** March 12, 2019, 12:46:43 PM »

This is a more complex question that it may seem at first glance.

It can’t simply be a certain elevation number, or small rises on high plains could qualify as mountains, right?

Does it have to do with rise from surrounding terrain? If so, what’s the break-off point? Three thousand feet above the surrounding level is a mountain, but 2,990 feet only make a hill?

Please, weigh in with your take on the subject.

Papa Lazarou · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2019, 12:54:12 PM »

in the UK, a mountain is anything over 1000 feet. We don't have very big hills over here.

Cookie · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2019, 01:30:06 PM »

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SLK50 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2019, 01:54:38 PM »

Mountains are formed through tectonic forces or volcanism.
Mountains erode slowly through the action of rivers, weather
conditions, and glaciers over time to form hills.

miles · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2019, 02:19:20 PM »

Quote from: Papa Lazarou on March 12, 2019, 12:54:12 PM

in the UK, a mountain is anything over 1000 feet. We don't have very big hills over here.

I've seen the movie.

Vulcanbill · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2019, 02:25:32 PM »

Texans in hill country in 3 and 2 and

miles · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2019, 02:27:08 PM »

Quote from: Cookie on March 12, 2019, 01:30:06 PM

Here's an image worth maybe 2,000 then. The hill in the foreground with the cross is a local landmark known as Mt Helix. Its peak is at about 1,300 feet above sea level.

The big rocky outcropping on the top left is El Capitan* at 3,600 feet, and it's generally referred to as a hill.

The ridge on the top center-right is the Cuyamaca Mountain range, at 6,000+ feet. Everybody agrees those are mountains.

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*Before you mention the famous rock in Yellowstone, ponder that this hill was named first.

miles · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2019, 02:30:21 PM »

Quote from: SLK50 on March 12, 2019, 01:54:38 PM

Mountains are formed through tectonic forces or volcanism.
Mountains erode slowly through the action of rivers, weather
conditions, and glaciers over time to form hills.

At what exact moment does a mountain erode far enough to be considered a hill?

Cookie · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2019, 02:50:56 PM »

We have Mount Monadnock here in our area.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Monadnock

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My wife who lived in Colorado, specifically Boulder, Denver and Nederland for many years before returning to New England said pffft, that's a hill.

I believe its all a matter of perspective.

Vulcanbill · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2019, 02:52:05 PM »

Quote from: miles on March 12, 2019, 02:30:21 PM

Quote from: SLK50 on March 12, 2019, 01:54:38 PM
Mountains are formed through tectonic forces or volcanism.
Mountains erode slowly through the action of rivers, weather
conditions, and glaciers over time to form hills.

At what exact moment does a mountain erode far enough to be considered a hill?

eleventy four gajillion years

Stripes · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2019, 06:24:22 PM »

Hills are round at the top and mountains are pointy!

Virginian · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2019, 07:08:56 PM »

A B cup vs. a DD cup.

kneescrubber · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2019, 07:09:55 PM »

Quote from: miles on March 12, 2019, 02:19:20 PM

Quote from: Papa Lazarou on March 12, 2019, 12:54:12 PM
in the UK, a mountain is anything over 1000 feet. We don't have very big hills over here.

I've seen the movie.

Me too. Actually pretty good.

kneescrubber · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2019, 07:19:03 PM »

Beaumont, Texas. French for beautiful mountain. 23' above sea level. Less than 50 miles from the Gulf Coast. The Rainbow Bridge from Port Arthur to Bridge City is 230' high. Bar ditches are typically 3-4' deep. Anything more than a 1% grade is good by me.

https://youtu.be/-omyFbsPlgE

Cookie · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2019, 07:25:39 PM »

Quote from: kneescrubber on March 12, 2019, 07:19:03 PM

https://youtu.be/-omyFbsPlgE

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Skee · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2019, 08:32:08 PM »

Wants to know where this is because visit.

Would be something like a fairy tale if it was a certain monastery facing the high Atlas in Algeria.

Quote from: Cookie on March 12, 2019, 01:30:06 PM

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miles · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2019, 08:34:30 PM »

Quote from: Skee on March 12, 2019, 08:32:08 PM

Wants to know where this is because visit.

Would be something like a fairy tale if it was a certain monastery facing the high Atlas in Algeria.

Quote from: Cookie on March 12, 2019, 01:30:06 PM
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Look closely and you can see Noah's Ark about halfway up the left side...

miles · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2019, 08:41:17 PM »

Quote from: Stripes on March 12, 2019, 06:24:22 PM

Hills are round at the top and mountains are pointy!

Mt San Jacinto, at 11,00 feet:
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Fortuna Hills, east of Yuma, 450 feet high:
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Cookie · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2019, 01:42:15 AM »

Quote from: Skee on March 12, 2019, 08:32:08 PM

Wants to know where this is because visit.

Would be something like a fairy tale if it was a certain monastery facing the high Atlas in Algeria.

Quote from: Cookie on March 12, 2019, 01:30:06 PM
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https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/khor-virap-monastery

sodapop6620 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2019, 04:59:28 AM »

You should be able to easily walk up a hill but not a mountain. The older I get the more I realize there are mountains everywhere.

zer0netgain · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2019, 05:59:22 AM »

Quote from: Virginian on March 12, 2019, 07:08:56 PM

A B cup vs. a DD cup.

I was going to post this but thought "Twiggy vs. Dolly Parton" would be less offensive.

CLAY · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2019, 07:43:41 AM »

I know some people who are good at making mountains out of the hills....

Virginian · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2019, 07:54:38 AM »

Quote from: zer0netgain on March 13, 2019, 05:59:22 AM

Quote from: Virginian on March 12, 2019, 07:08:56 PM
A B cup vs. a DD cup.

I was going to post this but thought "Twiggy vs. Dolly Parton" would be less offensive.

R Doug · « **Reply #23 on:** March 13, 2019, 11:02:24 AM »

Quote from: sodapop6620 on March 13, 2019, 04:59:28 AM

You should be able to easily walk up a hill but not a mountain. The older I get the more I realize there are mountains everywhere.

ha! for the win.

Skee · « **Reply #24 on:** March 13, 2019, 05:35:57 PM »

Quote from: R Doug on March 13, 2019, 11:02:24 AM

Quote from: sodapop6620 on March 13, 2019, 04:59:28 AM
You should be able to easily walk up a hill but not a mountain. The older I get the more I realize there are mountains everywhere.

ha! for the win.

So like you mean if I live long enough there’s hope for DE and FL?

Jay547 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2019, 11:36:58 AM »

Late to this party but my understanding is a hill is 2000' or less above the surrounding terrain. Poteau, Oklahoma claims the world's highest hill at 1999'.

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Jay547 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2019, 11:37:42 AM »

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sleazy rider · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2019, 12:45:56 PM »

Quote from: miles on March 12, 2019, 08:34:30 PM

Quote from: Skee on March 12, 2019, 08:32:08 PM
Wants to know where this is because visit.

Would be something like a fairy tale if it was a certain monastery facing the high Atlas in Algeria.

Look closely and you can see Noah's Ark about halfway up the left side...

Is that a Yeti clan guarding it?

DNA · « **Reply #28 on:** July 16, 2019, 12:41:52 PM »

I grew up in Colorado so the answer is easy - Mountains have snow at the top and form glaciers for at least some part of the year.
No sustained snowy peak = a hill of some sort.

miles · « **Reply #29 on:** July 16, 2019, 10:00:35 PM »

Quote from: DNA on July 16, 2019, 12:41:52 PM

I grew up in Colorado so the answer is easy - Mountains have snow at the top and form glaciers for at least some part of the year.
No sustained snowy peak = a hill of some sort.

So then Mt Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous USA, higher than any peak in Colorado) only rates as a hill since no part of it remains covered in snow year-round?

viffergyrl · « **Reply #30 on:** July 16, 2019, 10:26:19 PM »

Quote from: miles on July 16, 2019, 10:00:35 PM

Quote from: DNA on July 16, 2019, 12:41:52 PM
I grew up in Colorado so the answer is easy - Mountains have snow at the top and form glaciers for at least some part of the year.
No sustained snowy peak = a hill of some sort.

So then Mt Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous USA, higher than any peak in Colorado) only rates as a hill since no part of it remains covered in snow year-round?

I was waiting for this...

Skee · « **Reply #31 on:** July 18, 2019, 10:54:03 AM »

Been waiting to post this...

If I have to explain it, you won’t understand.

Bounce · « **Reply #32 on:** July 18, 2019, 11:11:27 AM »

Quote from: Skee on July 18, 2019, 10:54:03 AM

Been waiting to post this...

If I have to explain it, you won’t understand.

Ah.. the old I-can't-explain-it-so-blow-it-off ploy used by riders of a certain marque?