Collection: Mountains Movement

Modern Scientific Discovery:

For centuries, people believed that mountains were firmly fixed and immovable. However, modern geology and plate tectonics have revealed that mountains are constantly moving, though at an extremely slow rate.

🔬 Key Scientific Facts:

• Tectonic plates beneath Earth's surface move at an average rate of 1–10 cm per year.
• This movement is responsible for continental drift, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
• Mountains are not static—they shift as the plates they rest upon move.
• The Himalayas, Andes, and Alps are still rising due to ongoing tectonic activity.

This understanding was only confirmed in the 20th century, but the Qur’ān described the motion of mountains over 1400 years ago.

Qur’ānic Revelation:

وَتَرَى ٱلْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةًۭ وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِ ۚ صُنْعَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَ

English Translation:

"You see the mountains and think they are firmly fixed, but they are moving away just like the clouds move. (Such is) the artistry of Allah, Who disposes of all things in perfect order. Surely, He is fully aware of what you do."
📖 (Qur’ān 27:88)

Scientific Explanation:

This verse states that mountains appear stationary to the human eye, yet they are in motion—similar to clouds drifting in the sky.

✅ The Qur’ān describes mountains moving "like clouds," which is an accurate analogy for slow but persistent tectonic motion.
✅ Mountains are attached to tectonic plates, which shift over time, causing mountains to move as well.
✅ At the time of revelation, no one knew that continents and mountains moved—the common belief was that they were completely fixed.

Conclusion:

The motion of mountains due to plate tectonics is a modern geological discovery that was mentioned in the Qur’ān long before it was scientifically understood. This verse serves as yet another remarkable sign of divine knowledge in the Qur’ān, proving its alignment with scientific realities discovered centuries later.