Allah says in the Qur’an:

وَالْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا

(Surah An-Naba’, 78:7)

Translation:

“And the mountains as pegs (stakes).”

The Qur’an describes mountains as “awtād” (pegs or stakes), implying they stabilize the Earth.

Modern geology shows that:

• Mountains often have deep “roots” extending into the Earth’s crust

• These roots help stabilize tectonic plates through the principle of isostasy

• Mountains influence earthquake patterns, soil formation, and water flow

While mountains do not prevent all seismic activity, their deep foundations act as natural stabilizers for the crust.

For people in the 7th century, who only saw the visible part of mountains, the description of them as pegs stabilizing the Earth is remarkably accurate.