Difference between Hills and Mountains

What are Hills?

A hill is a fraction of land that surges longer than everything encircling it. It appears as a minor swelling on the Earth's surface. Hills provide a good view as it is higher than everything surrounding it. They are simple to climb, as described in relation to mountains, and are less steep. Not only nature-provided hills exist but there are also man-made hills.

Different types of geological activities result in the formation of hills. One of these workouts is faulting, which occurs due to the constant movement of rocks present under the Earth's surface and landscape changes. This faulting can eventually lead to the formation of mountains. For some time, the Himalayas used to be hills, turning into a mountain due to faulting geological activity. Not only faulting but erosion can also lead to the creation of hills. When some bits of rock, soil, and sediments wash away from one place and get settled and piled up in another, they form a hill. Similarly, wind and water, when blowing these materials, destroy a hill. There are equal chances of a mountain becoming a hill when this rock, soil, and sediment material is worn down.

There are various types of hills that exist, like drumlin, butte, etc. Butte refers to the hill which exists lonely in a flat area. Steep sides and a flat top characterize it. When a rock is formed on the top of this hill, it refers to a tor. Also, the drumlin is the hill formed by the activity of glaciers. A puy refers to the cone-shaped volcanic hill, and a pingo refers to the ice-covered mound. Hills have also been used to set up homes and have proved effective in avoiding floods.

The following is the summary of characteristics that are seen in a mountain:

• Height often less than or between 984-1968 feet
• A round summit
• Easy to climb

What are Mountains?

A mountain can be inferred as a huge increase in the Earth's surface that usually has a peak. It is generally steeper and more elevated than a hill. As compared to hills, mountains are generally higher. Normally, a mountain is 1000 feet above the land area. Depending on its usage, a landform can be referred to as a mountain or hill. Some authorities refer to 1969 feet above l andform from the surrounding level as a mountain and below as hills. In the UK, peaks less than 2000 feet indicate hills. Soil erosion, volcanism, and the movement of tectonic plates contribute to the formation of mountains. Due to its feature of high altitude, mountains create a colder climate and hence affect the ecosystem. Mountains help extract resources and are used for mining, logging, and recreational and adventurous activities such as skiing and mountaineering.

Three types of mountains exist: volcanic, fold, and block formed from plate tectonics. Volcanoes are created when a plate is pushed below another plate. Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines are examples. Due to the collision of plates, fold mountains are formed. Balkan and Jura Mountains are examples of fold mountains. Faulting in the crust causes the formation of block mountains.

The following is the summary of characteristics that are seen in a mountain:

• Minimum height of just over 2,000 feet
• A finely defined peak, and steep slope
• Challenging to climb

Difference between Hills and Mountains

Usually, hills and mountains are used interchangeably and recognized as terms having the same meaning due to the minor differences between them. Since there are no standard criteria to differentiate the terms separately, researchers have done it on the basis of what they have observed and the characteristics they exhibit. Below are the differences between the two significant terms:

• A hill refers to a natural landform extending over the surrounding terrain and has a rounded summit. A mountain is a comparatively higher natural landform when compared to a hill and generally has a sharp summit.
• A hill is usually seen as less than 984-1968 feet, whereas mountains are even seen as higher than 1968 feet.
• Hills are less steeper than mountains.
• Generally, hills, as they are not the prominent landform, are left unnamed and mountains, being the significant landform, are given names.
• Hills are easy to climb, but mountains are challenging.
• Snow, depending on the climate, can be seen on the hills. At the same time, it covers the peak of the mountains for the whole year.
• Hills have mild climatic conditions, and mountains have harsh.
• Activities like livestock breeding and animal husbandry are done on hills but attempting any farming in the mountains is a lot more tough activity.
• Mountains can be a perfect place for a thrilling vacation, whereas hills are ideal for camping.