Wisconsin Watch partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

No.

Wisconsin does not have any large mountains or mountain chains because the state is in the middle of a tectonic plate and its ancient mountains have eroded.

Mountains typically form near the places where tectonic plates collide, known also as “convergent boundaries.” Around 1.8 billion years ago, state mountain ranges such as the Penokee Mountains were created through these collisions, and they later eroded under moving glaciers.

Some of the highest points in Wisconsin today are Timms Hill, Rib Mountain and Lookout Mountain, which all peak at around 1,950 feet. While the United States Geological Survey does not officially define the term “mountain,” the British define a mountain as taller than 2,000 feet.

Currently, Wisconsin is not located near the edge of the North American plate to which it belongs and thus is unlikely to form a mountain range anytime soon.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

• Advnture: When does a hill become a mountain? Our expert guide to what makes a mountain, a mountain
• Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey: Ice Age Geology
• U.S. High Point Guide: Timms Hill
• U.S. Geological Survey: Tectonic Plates of the Earth
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These are the 10 tallest peaks in Wisconsin
• U.S. Geological Survey: What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
• Sue Swanson, State Geologist: Email interview with Sue Swanson

Does Wisconsin have any mountains? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.