How Are Mountains Defined? Elevation vs Slope Explained | UPSC | NEXT IAS Mountains are primarily identified by their high elevation and steep slopes, unlike plateaus, which have relatively gentle slopes. Slope plays a crucial role in terrain stability, with steeper slopes being more prone to instability. Different agencies use varying criteria — the Forest Survey of India considers slopes above 3°, while the Supreme Court has referred to slopes up to 10° in certain contexts. These definitions m