Which of the following is a volcanic mountain?

Concept

Volcanic mountains form when magma reaches the Earth's surface through vents, erupts as lava and ash, and repeated deposits build a cone or massif. Their origin is volcanic, unlike mountain systems formed mainly by folding, continental collision, or erosion.

Application

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a stratovolcano. Its three principal volcanic cones—Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira—were built by volcanic activity, so it fits the definition of a volcanic mountain.

Contrast

• Aravalli is an ancient fold mountain range that has been greatly eroded; its origin is not volcanic.

• The Appalachian Mountains formed mainly through continental collision, folding, and uplift; they are not classified as a volcanic mountain range.

• The Ural Mountains formed through continental collision during the Uralian orogeny; their mountain-building origin is tectonic rather than volcanic.

Cross-check

Kilimanjaro is documented as a volcano with the cones Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. This independent classification agrees with the volcanic-origin test. Therefore, the volcanic mountain among the given choices is Mount Kilimanjaro.