The concept of mountains as stabilizers is mentioned in the Quran, where they are described as being placed on the Earth to provide stability. This idea is conveyed in several verses, highlighting the role of mountains in maintaining the planet’s balance. Here are some verses that mention this concept along with their English translation and transliteration:
1. Surah An-Naba (78:6-7)
Arabic:
أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ مِهَادًا وَالْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا
Transliteration:
Alam naj’alil arda mihāda(n) | Wal jibāla awtāda(n)
English Translation:
“Have We not made the earth a resting place? And the mountains as stakes?”
2. Surah An-Nazi’at (79:32)
Arabic:
وَالْجِبَالَ أَرْسَاهَا
Transliteration:
Wal jibāla arsāhā
English Translation:
“And the mountains He set firmly.”
3. Surah Al-Anbiya (21:31)
Arabic:
وَجَعَلْنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ
Transliteration:
Waja’alnā fil ardi rawāsiya an tameeda bihim
English Translation:
“And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them.”
4. Surah Luqman (31:10)
Arabic:
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ
Transliteration:
Khalaqas samāwāti bighayri ‘amadin tarawnahā wa alqā fil ardi rawāsiya an tameeda bikum
English Translation:
“He created the heavens without pillars that you see and has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with you…”
5. Surah An-Nahl (16:15)
Arabic:
وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ
Transliteration:
Wa alqā fil ardi rawāsiya an tameeda bikum
English Translation:
“And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with you…”
Geological Perspective: Isostasy & Tectonic Plates
Mountains do play a role in stabilizing the Earth’s crust through the principle of isostasy. Isostasy refers to the equilibrium between segments of the Earth’s crust, which “float” at heights dependent on their thickness and density. The Earth’s crust is divided into large plates, known as tectonic plates, which float on the semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath them.
- Mountain Roots: Mountains are like icebergs—only a small part of them is visible above the surface, while a larger portion is “rooted” deep into the Earth’s mantle. This deep root is a counterbalance to the mountain’s mass above, helping stabilize the Earth’s crust. The deeper the mountain root, the more it contributes to maintaining the balance of the Earth’s crust.
- Plate Tectonics: Mountains are often formed at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where the Earth’s crust is pushed upward due to the collision of these plates. These mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas or the Andes, are not only a result of tectonic activity but also contribute to the stability of the crust by distributing stress along the plate boundaries.
- Seismic Activity: The presence of mountains can influence seismic activity. In regions where mountains are present, the Earth’s crust is generally thicker, which can help absorb and dissipate seismic energy, potentially reducing the frequency or intensity of earthquakes. However, this is a complex interaction and does not mean that mountains prevent earthquakes entirely.
Scientific References
- Isostasy and Mountain Roots: A detailed discussion on the principles of isostasy and how mountain roots contribute to crustal stability can be found in standard geology textbooks such as “Earth’s Dynamic Systems” by W. Kenneth Hamblin and Eric H. Christiansen.
- Plate Tectonics and Mountain Formation: The role of tectonic plates in the formation and stabilization of mountains is well-explained in “The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics” by C.M.R. Fowler.
- Seismic Activity and Crustal Stability: Studies on how mountains affect seismic activity can be found in journals such as Geophysical Research Letters and Tectonophysics.