What are the Longest Mountain Ranges on Earth

A mountain range is a chain of highlands that are close together. Most of the world’s mountain ranges are created when tectonic plates collide, forming massive land formations.

The longest mountain range in the world is over 60,000 kilometers long. However, no one has ever set feet on there. Why? Because the most extended mountain range on Earth is not on land but the seafloor! Yes! These are the mid-ocean ridges, and the movement of Earth tectonic plates forms them.

But to be fair, we will list seven of the longest above-water mountain ranges on Earth. Coincidentally, these seven mountain ranges are found in each of the seven continents is the home of the world’s highest mountains.

Are you ready for it? Here are the longest’s mountain ranges on Earth:

Andes Mountain Range

The Andes Mountain range lies along the South American continent’s western edge, which stretches to about 9000 kilometers. It houses many of the towering mountain peaks, including Mt. Aconcagua, which is the highest in the Americas. The mountains are connected as a continuous chain of highlands, piercing seven countries, including Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. The western and eastern Andean range is divided as the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental, respectively.

The Great Escarpment 

The Great Escarpment is a 5000-kilometer vertical elevation located in the southern part of the African continent. An escarpment is a long cliff-like rock, commonly formed through the faulting of the Earth’s crust. This Great Escarpment separates the region’s highland plateau from the coastal lines. It runs along through the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Angola. The boldest part of the escarpment is named the Drakensberg, wherein basalt lavas overlie the soft sandstones.

Rocky Mountains Range

Also known as the Rockies, this North American mountain range is the second-longest in the world. It stretches for about 4800 kilometers. The range includes the northern part of Alberta and British Columbia and the southern part of New Mexico. Mt. Elbert (reaching 4,400 meters) claims the range’s highest points among its many snow-covered peaks. In between the highlands are deep valleys and vast basins. Interestingly, the northern Rockies have freezing climates and snowy geography, while the southern parts were mostly arid and desert-like.

Transantarctic Mountains Range

The Transantarctic Mountains range from is a mountain system dividing the eastern and western regions of Antarctica. It stretches at least 3200 kilometers from Victoria land to the Weddell Sea. It is mostly covered with ice sheets and enormous glaciers. The range’s highest point is at 4528 meters, which is located at Mount Kirkpatrick. There are also many active volcanoes along with the range, including the most famous Deception island, in South Shetland near Antarctic Peninsula.

Great Dividing Range

The Great Dividing Range, sometimes called the Eastern Highland’s is Australia’s longest mountain range. With a length of 3500 kilometers, the Eastern Highlands is the fifth-longest mountain system in the world. The range’s highest point is the snowy summits of Mount Kosciuszko. This range is also a diverse combination of complicated mountain ranges, varying plateaus, and lowland and highland areas. For the most part, this is why it can be accessed through many national parks and local reserves.

Himalayas Range

Perhaps the most famous mountain range in Asia, the great Himalaya is a barrier formed between the Eurasian Plate and the Indian plate. It is a 2300-kilometer long mountain system and is the home of the highest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest. Most of the Himalayas occupies the northeastern portion of India. It also passes through the nations of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and China. In addition to Mount Everest, many of the world’s tallest summits like Nanga Parbat, Annapurna, and Kanchenjunga are located here.

Ural Mountains Range

We have mentioned the world’s longest mountain ranges in every continent except for one – Europe’s! The seventh-longest range on Earth is the Ural Mountains, which runs from Western Russia, passes along the border of Kazahstan, and the Arctic Ocean’s coast.

The Urals is divided into the Arctic, Sub-Arctic, Northern, Southern and Central regions mainly because of its topography. As one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, scientists believed that the range is approximately 250 to 300 million years old. Apart from this, Russians culturally view the Urals as a treasure box for its resources helped boosted their industrial development.