Fjellkjeden

Fjellkjeden is the Norwegian term for a mountain range, a connected series of mountains that forms a continuous highland system. The word combines fjell (mountain) and kjede (chain), and in Norwegian usage fjellkjeden can refer to a specific chain in a region, or to mountain ranges as a general geographic concept.

Most fjellkjeder arise from plate tectonics and orogeny. They form through folding, faulting, and uplift as continents collide or as lithospheric plates interact. Erosion by glaciers and rivers sculpts peaks, ridges, and valleys, creating long, linear alignments that stretch across tens to hundreds of kilometers.

They influence climate by orographic rainfall, create rain shadows, and host diverse ecosystems. Fjellkjeder provide water resources, habitats for wildlife, and routes for human activity, including recreation and transportation. Glacial valleys and high passes help shape regional economies and cultural identities.

Globally notable fjellkjeder include the Alps, the Andes, the Himalayas, and the Scandinavian Mountains. In Norway, the term is used for major mountain systems that shape regional landscapes, including ranges along the Scandinavian axis and alpine belts forming the interior and coastal regions.