8 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BLOCK MOUNTAINS
A block mountain is a mountain consisting of a block or blocks bounded by normal faults in the earth's crust. They are formed by the movement of large crustal blocks when forces in the Earth’s crust pull it apart. Some parts of the Earth are pushed upward and others collapse down. Economic importance of Block Mountains include: Block Mountains are tourist attractions thus help countries to earn foreign exchange. Block Mountains with ice on top are sources of rivers when ice melt and these provide water for irrigation , transport and industrial development. Block Mountains modify climate through influencing the formation of orographic rainfall. Some Block Mountains contain minerals thus lead to the development of the mining industry for example former copper extraction from the Rwenzori Mountains and the current cobalt extraction. Rivers originating from Block Mountains form waterfalls from which hydro electric power is generated thu...