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Geography > Indian Physiography > Flashcards

Indian Physiography Flashcards

1
Q

Rift valley of Narmada the Tapi and the Mahanadi and the Satpura Block Mountains are an example of what ?

A

Various vertical movements and block faulting in the Indo Australian plate

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2
Q

Peninsula in India is formed essentially by

A

Gneisses and Granite

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3
Q

Gneisses

A

A high-grade metamorphic rock with a banded texture, formed from intense heat and pressure. Typically composed of feldspar, quartz, and mica, it often forms from granite or shale through metamorphism.

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4
Q

Granite

A

A coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock made of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Forms from slowly cooling magma beneath the Earth’s surface and is known for its durability and widespread use in construction.

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5
Q

Geographical Extent of Northern Plains

A

Stretch across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, covering about 3,200 km in length and 150–320 km in width.

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6
Q

Major Rivers of Northern Plains

A

Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems, which bring nutrient-rich alluvium, making the region highly fertile.

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7
Q

Divisions of Northern Plains

A

Punjab Plains (Indus system), Ganga Plains (largest section), and Brahmaputra Plains (in Assam).

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8
Q

Bhabar Region

A

A narrow, pebbly belt near the Himalayas, where rivers disappear into the ground due to high porosity.

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9
Q

Terai Region

A

A swampy, marshy belt south of Bhabar, rich in biodiversity and home to dense forests and wildlife. rivers re emerges here

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10
Q

Bangar Region

A

Older alluvial deposits, located further from river channels, less fertile but more stable for settlements.

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11
Q

Khadar Region

A

Newer alluvial deposits near riverbanks, highly fertile and ideal for intensive agriculture.

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12
Q

Climatic Influence on Northern Plains

A

Humid subtropical climate with hot summers, monsoons, and cold winters, ideal for varied crop production.

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13
Q

Definition of Peninsular Plateau

A

A triangular tableland in southern India, composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, forming part of the oldest landmass.

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14
Q

Geographical Extent of Peninsular Plateau

A

Bounded by the Delhi Ridge in the northwest, Rajmahal Hills in the east, Gir Range in the west, and the Cardamom Hills in the south. An extension of this is also seen in the northeast in the form of Shillong and karbi Anglong Plateau

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15
Q

Elevation Range of PP

A

Rises from 150 meters above the river plains to elevations between 600-900 meters above sea level. General elevation of the plateau is from west to east

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16
Q

Important physiographical features of PP

A

Tors, block Mountain, Rift Valley,, Spurs bare Rocky structures series of Hummocky Hills and wall like quarterzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage

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17
Q

Major Subdivisions of PP

A

Includes the Central Highlands (north of the Narmada River) and the Deccan Plateau (south of the Narmada River).

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18
Q

Central Highlands

A

Lies to the north of the Narmada River, covering the Malwa Plateau, and bounded by the Aravalli Range in the west and the Vindhyan Range in the south. The region has gone under the metamorphic process in its geological history metamorphic rock such as marble slate genesis etc found here

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19
Q

Deccan Plateau

A

A triangular landmass south of the Narmada River, flanked by the Satpura ,Maikal Range and Mahadeo hills in the north, and the Western and Eastern Ghats on either side.

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20
Q

Western Ghats

A

Runs parallel to the western coast; higher and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats, with average elevations around 1,500 meters. locally known as Nilgiri hills in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Annamalai Hills and Cardamom hills in Kerala, Sahyadri in Maharashtra . Anaimudi {Anaimalai Hills}highest peak followed by Dodabetta{Nirgiri hills}

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21
Q

Eastern Ghats

A

Discontinuous and eroded hill ranges along the eastern coast, with elevations between 600-900 meters, dissected by rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. Important ranges include Javadi hills , Palconda range ,Nallamala hills ,Mahendragiri hills.

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22
Q

Geological Significance of PP

A

Formed due to the breaking and drifting of the ancient Gondwana land, making it one of the oldest and most stable landmasses in India.

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23
Q

Bhima Fault Location and Extent

A

Traverses the Bhima basin in Maharashtra and Karnataka, extending over approximately 200 km, where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats.

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24
Q

What type of fault is Bheema fault?

A

Classified as a reverse fault, where one block of Earth’s crust moves upward over another, shaping regional topography.

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25
Geological Impact of Bhima Fault
Caused a transverse displacement of the southern Bhima basin by about 35 km, creating secondary shears, gravity faults, and thrust faults. The basin tilts northward by around 5 degrees or has a central subsidence.
26
Seismic Activity and Earthquakes because of Bhima fault
Associated with regional seismic activity. Fault movement has been linked to earthquakes, including those near Latur and Osmanabad in Maharashtra.
27
Significance of Bhima Fault
Key to understanding seismic hazards in the region, essential for infrastructure planning and disaster management.
28
Definition of Northeastern Plateau
An extension of the main Peninsular Plateau, located in northeastern India, comprising the Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong Plateaus.
29
Formation of Northeastern Plateau
Formed due to a significant fault between the Rajmahal Hills and the Meghalaya Plateau during the Himalayan orogeny, leading to its detachment from the main Peninsular Block.
30
Major Divisions of Meghalaya Plateau
Consists of three hills: (i) Garo Hills, (ii) Khasi Hills, (iii) Jaintia Hills, named after the indigenous tribes inhabiting these regions.
31
Karbi Anglong Plateau
An extension of the Meghalaya Plateau located in Assam, sharing similar geological characteristics.
32
Geological Composition
Rich in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, sillimanite, limestone, and uranium, contributing significantly to the region's economy.
33
Climate and Erosion
Receives heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon, leading to intense surface erosion; areas like Cherrapunji exhibit bare rocky terrains with minimal permanent vegetation.
34
Location of Marusthali
Part of the Great Indian (Thar) Desert, lying in the western part of Rajasthan, near the Indo-Pakistan border.
35
Geological History of Marusthali
Believed to have been submerged under the sea during the Mesozoic era, with marine deposits found near Jaisalmer as evidence.
36
Playas
A flat-bottomed desert basin that periodically fills with water, creating a temporary lake, which evaporates to leave behind salt flats or clay deposits.
37
Location of Western Coastal Plains
Stretch along the western coast of India, from Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south, between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
38
Length and Width of WCP
Approximately 1,500 km long and narrow, with an average width of 10-25 km.
39
Divisions of Western Coastal Plains
Divided into (i) Gujarat Coast, (ii) Konkan Coast (Maharashtra and Goa), (iii) Kanara Coast (Karnataka), and (iv) Malabar Coast (Kerala).
40
Geographical Features of WCP
Characterized by rocky cliffs, estuaries, lagoons, backwaters, and sandy beaches; lacks large deltas due to steep slope.
41
Important Rivers of WCP
Short and swift rivers like Narmada, Tapi, Mandovi, and Zuari that form estuaries instead of deltas.
42
Natural Harbors WCP
Has several natural harbors, making it important for maritime trade — examples include Mumbai, Mangalore, and Kochi.
43
Backwaters and Lagoons WCP
Famous for backwaters, especially in Kerala, with lakes like Vembanad and Ashtamudi supporting inland navigation and fishing.
44
Agriculture and Crops WCP
Fertile areas in pockets, growing crops like rice, coconut, spices, and cashew nuts, especially in Kerala and Karnataka.
45
Location of Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains stretch along the eastern coast of India, from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
46
Length and Width of Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains extend about 1,900 km in length and are relatively wide, ranging from 50 to 100 km.
47
Divisions of Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains are divided into two sections: (i) Northern Circar (Andhra Pradesh and Odisha) and (ii) Coromandel Coast (Tamil Nadu).
48
Geographical Features of Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains are broad and flat, with extensive river deltas, sandy beaches, and coastal lagoons.
49
Major Rivers and Deltas in Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains are home to large deltas formed by rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, making the land highly fertile.
50
Lagoons and Lakes in Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains feature significant water bodies like Chilika Lake (Odisha), India’s largest coastal lagoon and a vital biodiversity hotspot.
51
Climate and Rainfall in Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains receive rainfall from both southwest and northeast monsoons, with heavy rains during the northeast monsoon, especially in Tamil Nadu.
52
Agriculture and Crops in Eastern Coastal Plains
The fertile alluvial soil of the Eastern Coastal Plains supports agriculture, with crops like rice, sugarcane, cotton, groundnuts, and pulses.
53
Ports and Trade along Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains are dotted with major ports like Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Kolkata, facilitating vital maritime trade.
54
Natural Hazards in Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains are prone to cyclones and storm surges from the Bay of Bengal, especially impacting Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
55
Economic Importance of Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains contribute to India’s economy through agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, salt production, and port-based industries.
56
Major Island Groups of India
India has two major island groups: (i) the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and (ii) the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
57
Location of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Situated between 6°N to 14°N latitudes and 92°E to 94°E longitudes in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar and Indonesia.
58
Division of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Comprises two groups: (i) the Andaman Islands in the north, and (ii) the Nicobar Islands in the south, separated by the Ten Degree Channel.
59
Barren Island
India's only active volcano, located in the Andaman Sea, about 140 km from Port Blair; last erupted in 2017.
60
Location of Lakshadweep Islands
Located between 8°N to 12°N latitudes and 71°E to 74°E longitudes in the Arabian Sea, approximately 220 to 440 km off the Kerala coast.
61
Minicoy Island
The southernmost island of Lakshadweep, known for its lighthouse, tuna fishing, and unique Maldivian-influenced culture.
62
Amini Island
One of the inhabited islands of Lakshadweep, known for coral atolls, traditional coir products, and scenic lagoons.
63
Kavaratti (Canonori) Island
The administrative capital of Lakshadweep, famous for its beautiful lagoons, marine life, and water sports tourism.
64
Geological Origin of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Believed to be elevated portions of submarine mountains; some smaller islands are volcanic, like Barren Island.
65
Geological Origin of Lakshadweep Islands
Entirely built of coral deposits, comprising 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited; known for their beautiful coral reefs and atolls.
66
Strategic Importance of Indian Islands
Both island groups hold significant strategic importance for India's maritime security and serve as vital outposts in the Indian Ocean region.

Geography (11 decks)

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