Economic and Social Impacts of Fold Mountains

Case Study: The Alps

The Alps were formed 35 million years ago during the Alpine folding period, when the African and Eurasian plates collided.

Economic Impacts

1. Farming: the fold mountains of the Alps are used for farming sheep, goats and cattle. In the summer, the animals are moved further up the slope to graze.
2. Hydro-electric power{electricity generated from water}: melted snow gives water which is used to generate hydro-electric power.
3. Tourism: lost of people visit the Alps to ski or snowboard in the winter, or hike in the summer. The income generated by tourism can provide a better standard of living for locals.

Social Impacts

1. Accessibility: parts of the Alps are hard to access as slopes can be very steep. Road-building is costly.
2. Soil: soil can be thin and poor quality, allowing only for rough-grazing, which can make farming unprofitable and difficult.
3. Avalanches: devastating avalanches happen when snow and ice suddenly come loose and and crash down mountain slopes.