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: : Just curious, why do you say that the Mordorian mountains did not exist at the time in question? I don't think Sauron had the ability, as Melkor did, to raise whole mountain ranges.

: Well, according to Fonstad's Atlas when the Sea of Helcar was drained and Beleriand fell it forced up the mountains of Mordor.

Indeed, and then Sauron awoke their 'malice' and the resulting volcanic activity forced the ranges up even more. All thgis was after the dwarves awoke. Tolkein says soemthing about it somewhere, but I can't remember where
Dave