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Why are mountains and plateaus so common across Asia?

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A map of the continent of Asia, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities, as well as parts of Europe, Africa, and surrounding oceans. — Asia Map showing the countries and national capitals of Asia.

Mountains and plateaus are highly prevalent across Asia, covering approximately three-fourths of the continent’s total area. This distinctive relief is primarily the result of powerful plate tectonic forces, most notably the ongoing collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian Plate.1234

Beginning roughly 40 to 50 million years ago, the northward movement of the Indian plate caused it to collide with and penetrate deep into the Asian continent. This massive continental collision resulted in intense crustal shortening and thickening, which forced the Earth's crust upward to form the Himalayas and the Plateau of Tibet.234

Beyond the immediate collision zone, this process has caused widespread deformation across Asia, including the uplift of mountain ranges such as the Tien Shan and the Pamirs, as well as the eastward extrusion of crustal blocks. Additionally, Asia features older mountain belts formed during Mesozoic and Cenozoic folding, as well as marginal ranges located on stable platforms, all of which contribute to the continent's rugged and elevated landscape.251