Here's why:
* Weathering: This is the process of breaking down rocks, soil, and minerals through physical (like freeze-thaw cycles) and chemical (like acid rain) processes. It weakens the structure of mountains, making them more susceptible to erosion.
* Erosion: This is the movement of weathered material, typically by wind, water, or ice. As mountains are weathered, their material is eroded and transported away, leaving behind smaller, less elevated features.
How mountains form:
Mountains form through tectonic activity, where the Earth's plates collide and push against each other. This creates:
* Folding: Rock layers bend and buckle, forming mountains.
* Faulting: Rocks break and slide past each other, creating mountains along fault lines.
* Volcanoes: Magma rises from the Earth's interior and erupts, building up volcanic mountains.
Therefore, weathering and erosion are forces that *reduce* mountain heights and shape the landscape over time, not create them.