What characteristic do folded mountains typically exhibit?

Folded mountains are formed primarily through the process of tectonic forces that compress and squeeze the Earth's crust, leading to the folding of rock layers. This occurs at convergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates collide. As the plates push against each other, the immense pressure and stress cause the layers of rock to bend and fold rather than break, creating the characteristic features of folded mountains. This results in complex geological formations, including ridges and valleys, as the layers of rock are intricately shaped over long periods of geological time.

The formation of folded mountains contrasts sharply with flat and featureless landscapes, which are typically associated with sediment deposition or erosion rather than tectonic activity. Sharp peaks often indicate volcanic activity, which is characteristic of a different type of mountain, namely volcanic mountains, and not necessarily folded mountains. Additionally, while erosion plays a crucial role in shaping existing terrains over time, it does not account for the initial formation of folded mountains, which are primarily the result of tectonic processes.