Physical Features of India - Long Answer Questions
The theory that the earth's crust (lithosphere) is divided into 7 major and minor plates. Their movement causes folding, faulting, and volcanic activity.
Convergent (collide), Divergent (move apart), and Transform (slide past).
Collision between the Indo-Australian plate and the Eurasian plate. The Tethys sea sediments were folded to form the Himalayas.
1. Himadri (Great/Inner Himalayas). 2. Himachal (Lesser Himalayas). 3. Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas).
formed by the interplay of 3 major river systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra). It is made of alluvial soil and is very fertile.
Bhangar: Old alluvium, lies above flood plains, has calcareous deposits (Kankar). Khadar: New alluvium, renewed every year, very fertile.
A tableland composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It was part of Gondwanaland. Divided into Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau.
Continuous mountain range parallel to the western coast. Higher than Eastern Ghats. Key peaks: Anamudi, Doda Betta.
Discontinuous and irregular range parallel to eastern coast. Dissected by rivers draining into Bay of Bengal. Highest peak: Mahendragiri.
The black soil area of the Peninsular plateau, of volcanic origin. Good for cotton.
Islands built by coral polyps (microscopic marine organisms). Lakshadweep is a coral island group.
Land between two rivers (Do = two, ab = water). e.g., Punjab (Land of 5 rivers).
A narrow belt of pebbles at the foot of Shiwaliks where rivers disappear.
A wet, swampy, and marshy region south of Bhabar where rivers re-emerge. Originally thick forest, now cleared for agriculture.
The mouth of a large river where the tide meets the stream. Narmada and Tapi form estuaries.
The eastern extension of the Himalayas running through NE states (Patkai, Naga, Mizo hills).
The Thar desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills. Sandy plain with low rainfall (<150mm). Luni is the only large river.
The largest saltwater lake in India, located in Odisha.
Triangular.
The ancient supercontinent that included India, Australia, South Africa, South America, and Antarctica.
Physical Features of India - Important Facts
Himalayas are young fold mountains.
They run West-East (Indus to Brahmaputra).
Length: 2400 km. Width: 400-150 km.
Mt. Everest (8848m) is highest peak.
K2 (Godwin Austen) is in Karakoram.
Kangchenjunga is highest in India (Mainland).
Himadri has permafrost/glaciers.
Passes: Nathu La, Shipki La.
Valley of Kashmir, Kullu, Kangra in Himachal.
Duns are longitudinal valleys (Dehradun).
Northern Plains are densely populated.
Punjab plains formed by Indus tributaries.
Ganga plain: Ghaggar to Teesta.
Brahmaputra plain: Assam.
Aravalis are oldest fold mountains (eroded).
Vindhya and Satpura ranges in Central India.
Narmada and Tapi flow west (Rift Valleys).
Western Ghats cause orographic rain.
Eastern Ghats are lower (600m).
Western Coastal Plain: Konkan, Kannad, Malabar.
Eastern Coastal Plain: Northern Circar, Coromandel.
Lakshadweep capital is Kavaratti.
Andaman & Nicobar are volcanic origin (Barren Island is active).
Majuli is riverine island in Brahmaputra.
Physical Features of India - Important Dates/Terms
Geological time scale