The Peninsular Plateau

2.1.3 The Peninsular Plateau

Description

Quick Overview

The Peninsular Plateau is one of India's major physiographic divisions characterized by ancient landforms comprised of igneous and metamorphic rocks, featuring prominent geological features.

Standard

The Peninsular Plateau, a significant landform in India, is primarily composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It includes two main subdivisions: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau, each distinguished by unique geological formations and ecological features.

Detailed

The Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient tableland in India, largely formed by the fragmentation of Gondwana land, making it one of the oldest landmasses in the country. Composed primarily of crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, it displays a unique topography of rounded hills and broad valleys. It can be subdivided into two primary regions:

1. Central Highlands

This region lies north of the Narmada River and constitutes the larger portion of the Malwa plateau.
- Geographical Features: Bounded by the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges, it features rivers such as Chambal and Betwa flowing from southwest to northeast.
- Key Divisions: The eastern extensions include Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand, while the Chotanagpur plateau serves as the further eastern extension, known for being drained by the Damodar River.

2. Deccan Plateau

This triangular area lies south of the Narmada River and is flanked by the Western and Eastern Ghats.
- Geographical Orientation: Higher elevation on the western side, sloping gently eastward, with notable hills including the Western Ghats approaching 1600 meters.
- Ecological Importance: The plateau's geological setting contributes to the black soil formation, crucial for agriculture.

Importance in Context

The Peninsular Plateau plays a crucial role as a mineral storehouse, influences agricultural viability due to its black soil, and affects the climatic conditions due to its elevated geography.

Key Concepts

  • Geological Composition: The Peninsular Plateau consists mainly of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks.

  • Two Major Divisions: The plateau is divided into the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau, each with unique characteristics.

  • Soil Fertility: Black soil, formed from volcanic rocks, is found in the Deccan Plateau and is beneficial for agriculture.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In the south, the Deccan is high, with black soil underneath the sky.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Long ago, a wise farmer knew that planting in black soil helped his crops grow tall in the warm Southern sun.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Use 'CD' to remember Central Highlands and Deccan; 'C' for Central and 'D' for Deccan in the south.

🎯 Super Acronyms

P.C.D

  • Plateau's Composition is Deccan.

Examples

  • The Peninsular Plateau is home to minerals like coal and iron ore, crucial for India's industrial sector.

  • The Deccan Plateau supports the cultivation of cotton, which is predominantly produced in this region.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Peninsular Plateau

    Definition:

    A vast tableland in India, formed from ancient crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks.

  • Term: Central Highlands

    Definition:

    The northern part of the Peninsular Plateau, characterized by the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges.

  • Term: Deccan Plateau

    Definition:

    A triangular plateau in southern India, distinct for its geological and ecological features.

  • Term: Black Soil

    Definition:

    Fertile volcanic soil commonly found in the Deccan Plateau, ideal for cotton cultivation.