Life on Earth is amazingly diverse, and exhibits striking geographical global patterns in biodiversity. A pair of companion papers reveal that mountain regions — especially those in the tropics — are hotspots of extraordinary and baffling richness. Although mountain regions cover only 25% of Earth’s land area, they are home to more than 85% of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, and many of these are found only in mountains. (1)

But can mountains exist without the sea?

Can the highest peaks be, without the wind and the air?

Would Everest ever reach its highest height without the worm crawling in its feet?

Could Olympus be, without people staring at it in awe?

How can the forest be without someone walking in the forest?

How could a tree grow, without the rain?

How could rain fall without a mountain?

Could there an ocean exist without that mountains?

Could the mountains be without any ocean?

Think of a dry world with no life in it. A world full of nothing but mountains. A dead world. Dominated by high peaks and imposing highlands. No rain. No sea. No ocean. No worms. Just mountains. Great high mountains. Everywhere. An empty world. With no mountains…