They form when magma is pushed up through the overlying crust. The granite that makes these up is much more resistant to erosion than the surrounding rock, which gives the tors their unique look. This is a result of the freezing and thawing cycles found in this area. The ground is broken up in a hexagonal pattern. Thawing of these slopes results in solifluction, which is the movement of soil downslope.
Birds are an important part of alpine tundra communities.
Long-tailed Jaegers are carnivorous relatives of gulls. They prey on chicks of other birds. Gray Jays are one of the few birds that can manage staying in Alaska throughout the winter. Gyrfalcons nest on vertical cliffs overlooking valleys. Gyrfalcons are the largest falcons and one of the fastest birds on planet Earth.