1 Physiography - Study of Physical Features of India

Indian Geography

Image of Indian Physiography
1 Northern Mountain System
- Introduction Data
  - Formation of Himalayas
    - Geosyncline Theory : Hall and Dana
      - Background of Theory
        
        Very Old Theory
        
        Actually Wrong
        
        Geo Earth
        
        Syncline Depression
      - Drawbacks of Theory
        
        Weight of Sediments cannot be enough into Contraction of Moutains as Lofty as Himalayas
        
        As Present there is no Geosyncline, then how Himalayas are Growing
      - Assumption of Theory
        
        Believed that there was a Huge Depression
        
        Water & Sediment Drip
        
        Sides Compress and Contract
        
        Geosyncline Infllining
        
        Water Moves Out by Compression Force
        
        Time Taken Million of Year
        
        Sediments Remains
    - Plate Tectonics : John Tojo Willson
      - Meta Terms
        
        Abduction / Obduction : Oceaninc Plate Trapped between Two Plates
        
        Why is Oceanic Plate Denser : It is made up of Maphic Minerals → Mg, Ferrous, Basalt Constituent
        
        Subduction Angle
        
        45 Degree → Average Angle of Subduction
        
        45 Degrees → Steep Slab Subdcution - Reaches Asthenosphere
        
        Accretion Zone is called Benioff Wendatti Zone
      - Process of Plate Tectonics for Himalayas
        
        Abduction of Tethys Plate between Indian & Eurasian Plate
        
        Before Indian Continental Plate could Interact with Tethys Plate, It Intreacts with Eurasian Plate
        
        Tethys Oceanic Plate Subducts Below Eurasian Continental Plate
        
        Leads to Accretion on the margins of Eurasian Plate
        
        Leads to Formation of Volcano in Eurasian Plate (in Tibet Region) → Due to Subduction of Tethys Below Eurasian, at this time even Himalayas werent formed
        
        Tethys Plate Completely Subducts under Eurasian Plate(C) and Melts due to High Temperature of Asthenosphere
        
        As and when Tethys(O) plate subducts, Indian(C) Plate keeps coming towards Eurasian Plate
        
        Leads to Convergence between Indian (C) && Eurasian (C) Plate
        
        Hence Summarising
        
        When Stidyign Himalayas, there are rocks with Marine Sediments → Giving Proof of existence of Tethys Plate
        
        Indo Tsangpo Suture Zone : Place where Indian Plate and Eurasian Plane
        
        Western Margin Interacted first with Eurasian Plate
        
        Western Coastline
        
        Southern Coastline - Emerged
        
        Kerala Karnataka - No Such Resources
        
        Highest Peak of Wetsern Ghats - Anaimudi
        
        Northern Coastline - Submerged
        
        Gulf of Khambat - Rich Oil Resources
        
        Eastern Coastline
        
        Submerged
        
        Compressional Force Towards East - Leading to Lofty Mountain in Nepal Side and Not in J&K
  - Aravali's
    
    Orientation is from → South West to North East
    
    More Lofty in → South West
    
    Haryana Delhi Denuded → North East
  - Is it necessary that when oceanic and continental plates subducts, there will always be formation of Volcano ?
    
    No its not Necessary
    
    Concept of
    1. Lateral / Flat Slab Subduction
    2. Stepe Slab Subduction → > 45Degree
- Mountain System of India - General
  - Diagram of Indian Himalayan System
  - Trans (Beyond) Himalayas Range - Beyond Himalayas
    
    West of Pamir Knot
    - Hindukush
      
      Afghanistan
      
      Pakistan
      
      and Then Iran
    East of Pamir Knot 👇
    
    From North to South
    - Karakoram Range
      - Peaks
        
        K2 Peak
        
        It is in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
        
        It is the Highest Peak in these Ranges
        
        Second Highest in the World
        
        Highest Peak of India is K2
        
        Sadhal Peak
        
        Goshal Bham Peak
        
        Hashal Bham Peak
      - Glaciers
        
        Siachin Glacier
        
        Largest Glacier beyond Sub Polar and Polar Regions
        
        It is also the Highest Glacier of the World
        
        It is Source of River Nubra which is a Tributary of Shyok River
        
        India Developed Control over Siachen Glacier through Operation Meghdoot
        
        It is also the Highest Battlefield of the World
        
        Amount Spent on Maintaining Army here is Approximately more than 4 Crore per Day
        
        Rimo
        
        Hisper
        
        Baltoro Glacier
      - Basic Facts
        
        Karakoram Range Originats from Pamir Knot
        
        Karakoram Mountain is also called as Krishnagiri
        
        It forms Indias Frontier with
        
        China
        
        Turkmenistan
        
        Afghanistan
        
        Pakistan
      - Karakoram Pass
        
        Connects POK with China
        
        It is an Old Silk Route
        
        Silk Route was used to Export Silk from China to
        
        India
        
        West Asia
        
        Europe
    - Ladakh Range
      1. Extension of Ladakh Range Towards China/Tibet : Kailash Range
      2. Mount Rakaposhi
        
        Highest Peak of Ladakh Range
        
        Ladakh Range is steepest peak of the world
      3. Khardung La Pass
        
        Khardung La Pass connects Leh with Siachen Glacier
        
        These Pass is maintained by BRO - Border Road Organisation
        
        It is maintained by Project Himank
        
        It has the Highest Motorable Road in the World
      4. Umling La
        
        Its a Strategic Pass
        
        Higher Than Khardung La
        
        Not Open for Civilians
        
        It is only for Civilians
        
        Eastern Most Village of Ladakh with China
      5. Leh
        
        In Ladakh there is a City called Leh
        
        Leh lies on the banks of River Indus
        
        Chatar Pass on Frozen Zanskar and Indus
        
        Hydroelectric Power Plant Present
      - From Mansarovar Lake in Tibet
        
        River Indus Originates
        
        Travels Westward
        
        Creates Gorge
        
        Flows between Ladakh & Zanskar Range
        
        Forms a Gorge here in Attock
        
        Enters Pakistan
        
        Flows through Plains of Pakistan
        
        Goes into Arabian Sea
      - Through which Countries do India Flow
        
        India
        
        UT of Ladkah
        
        China
        
        Pakistan
        
        Attock
    - Zanskar Range
    - Kailash Range
      1. Chimag Dung Glacier
      2. From Here - Brahmaputra Originates
      3. Called Tsangpo in Tibet
      4. Creates a Gorge (Gaddha)→ Dihang Gorge
      5. Enters India Through Arunachal Pradesh called Dihang
      6. From Dibru to Sadiya in Assam → called Brahmputra
      7. Why does Brahmpautra take a U Turn in Namcha Barwa
        
        It is due to Syntaxial Bend
  - Indo Tsangapo Suture Zone - North & South
    
    North - Trans Himalayas
    
    in Between - Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone
    
    South - Himalayas
- Mountain System of India - Himalayan Range
  
  Facts and Concepts
  - Diagram of Himalayan Range
  - Himalayas Lie Between
    
    Indus and Tsangpo
  - Syntaxial Bend of Himalayas
    1. Over All Shape of Himalayas - Hairpin Like Structure → Syntaxil Bend
    2. Entire Shape of Himalayan Region is called Syntaxial Bend
    3. Bends in Syntactical Bend
      1. Bend of North Western Axis - Nanga Parwat
      2. Bend of North Eastern Axis - Namcha Barwa
  - Himalayan Range - Spacing
    1. Western - Clearly Defined
    2. Eastern - Clubbed and All Regions are Joining towards Each Other
  - Southward Turn of Himalayas
    1. Due to Eurasian Plate
    2. This Southward Turn is called Purvanchal
    3. Parts of Purvanchal
      1. WB - Patkai Boom
      2. Nagaland - Naga Hill
      3. Mizoram - Mizo Hills
      4. Barel Ranges
    4. These 3 Shape
      1. West - Convex
      2. East - Concave
  - Slope of Himalayas
    
    Southern Slopes of Himalayas are steeper since force of Compression originate in the South
  From North to South
  - Greater Himalayas - Oldest - Metamorphic Rocks - Higher Himalayas or Himadri
    - Diagram of Greater Himalayas
    - Extent of Greater Himalayas
      1. West - Nanga Parbat
      2. East - Namcha Barwa
    - Question on Himalayas are made up of which Rocks ?
      
      Not only Himalayas, but any Rocks is made up of Sediments
    - What Type of Rocks are there ?
      1. Greater Himalayas - Metamorphic Rocks
      2. Lesser Himalayas - Metamorphic Rocks
      3. Shiwaliks - Sedimentary Rocks
    - Important Passes of Greater Himalayas - In Sequence from North to South
      - Shipki La Pass
        
        Gorge of Indus is made at Attock in Pakistan
        
        Next to Mansarovar Lake - Rakas Lake → River Sutlej Originates
        
        Flows North
        
        Sutlej Enters into India → at Shipki La Pass at Greater Himalayas
        
        Shipki La Pass → Road → Shimle to Tibet (Lhasa)
        
        Everest Peak
      - Jelep La - Sikkim
      - Kanchenjunga - Second Highest Peak of Himalaya
      - Nathu La Pass - Sikkim
      - Bomdi La Pass - Arunachal Pradesh
      - Namcha Barwa - Tibet
    - Dihang Gorge == Gorge of Brahmaputra
      1. Himalayas are More Wider are in West than East ( East Had More Compression Force and Hence All the Ranges Clubbed Towards One Side)
      2. and its width varies from 400 KM - Kashmir 150 KM - Arunachal Pradesh
      3. It is because compressive forces were more in east, than in the west that is why highest peak Everest and Kanchenjunga are in the east
      4. Average width is 25 KM’s
      5. They are formed mainly of crystalline and metamorphic rocks such as granite, Gneiss, schist,
      1. Greater Himalaya’s are a continuous range - Means there is NO GAP
      2. Antecedent River - Rivers formed before the upliftment of landforms - BSI
        
        Brahmaputra
        
        Sutlej
        
        Indus
      3. Ganga & Yamuna is NOT Antecedent
      4. Greater Himalaya is an almost continuous range but there are some gaps provided by some Antecedents rivers. For Example Gorge Formed by
        
        River Indus
        
        River Brahmaputra
    - Ranges in Himalayas
      1. Continuation of Ladakh Towards China is Kailash
      2. Middle of Lesser Himalayas
        
        Truncated = Broken = Dissected
        
        North West - Broken because in west differential compressional force was more and Due to Erosion of Rivers
        
        East - Ranges Get Clubbed
        
        South West Bend from Namcha Barwa
    - North Eastern Himalayas - Purvanchal - Running Notes
      1. Patkai Boom in North of Purvanchal
      2. Pataki Boom Extension to South in Purvanchal is Arakan Yoma
      3. After Ice Age - Arakan Yoma Range is Andaman and Nicobar Island
      4. Garo Khasi Jaintia are NOT Himalayan Hills, Rather They are Part of Peninsula and Hence they are Peninsular Hills
      1. Megalim Plateau / Karbi Angolan Plateau → developed from the Crack of Eastern Peninsula of India
      2. The Gap That was Created between Indian Peninsula is called Malda Gap or Raj Mahal Gharo Gap
      3. In the Indian Plateau - Highest Peaks
        
        Eastern Side - Mount Parasnath Peak of Rajmahal Hills
        
        North Western Side - Mount Guru Shikhar of Aravali Range
        
        Southern Side - Anamudi Hills of Western Ghat
    - North Eastern Himalayas - Purvanchal - Class Dictation
      1. They are also Called North Eastern Hills
      2. Purvanchal Hills are Convex in the West and Concave in the East
      3. They are composed of
        
        Patkai Boom which is the Border Between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar
        
        Naga Hills
        
        Manipuri Hills - Border Between Manipur and Myanmar
        
        Mizo Hills
      4. Pataki Boom and Naga Hills form the watershed between India and Myanmar
        
        Watershed - It is any upland / highland region which divides two neighbouring drainage basins
      - Sample Diagram of Watershed as Western Ghat
      1. Extension of Purvanchal continues to Myanmar as Arakan Yoma and then to Andaman and Nicobar Island
      2. Loktak Lake in Manipur is a Tectonic Lake. National Floating Park of Keibul Lamjao is Located on this Lake.
        
        River that Flows in Myanmar Making Delta there is River Irrawaddy
    - Northern and North Eastern Mountains - Over All
    - Fact Sheet of Greater Himalayas
      1. Called Himadri & Elevation
        
        Covered Throughout Year with Ice
        
        Average Elevation 6000 Meters
        
        Himalaya Means Abode or House of Snow Derived from a Sanskrit Word called Him Meaning Snow && Aalaya Meaning Home or House
      2. They are Youngest Fold Mountains
      3. There is No Vegetation
      4. Oxygen Concentration Decreases
      5. Bacterial Activity Decreases too
  - Middle Himalayas - Metamorphic Rocks - Lesser Himalayas
    1. Lesser or Middle Himalayas Lie Between in South and Greater Himalayas in the North
    2. There Avg ELevation is 3500 to 4200 Meters
    3. This Range is Highly Dissected and Uneven. It Mainly Consists of Metamorphic Rocks
    4. It is Characterised with or famous for Temperate Climate, Alpine Forests, Temperate Grasslands, Terrace Farming
    5. Local Names for this Range is
      1. Pir Panjal in Jammu and Kashmir
      2. Dhauladhar in Himachal Pradesh
      3. Mussoorie Hills in Uttarakhand
      4. Nepal - Mahabharat Range
    6. They are discontinuous due to Differential compressional force and rivers
    7. Most of the Hill towns or resorts are located in this range like in
      1. Jammu and Kashmir - Gulmarg, Patnitop, Son Marg → On Pir Panjal Ranges
        
        Marg Means Valley
      2. Himachal Pradesh on Dhauladhar → Shimal, Dharamshala, Kullu Manali
      3. In Mussoorie Ranges → Nainital
      4. It Passes through Hill Area of West Bengal in Darjeeling
    8. Gentle Slopes of the Eastern Part of this Range are COvered with Dense Forests
    9. South Facing Slope of Other Part of this Range are Very Steep and Generally devoid of Any Vegetation
    10. The North Facing Gentle Slopes of this Range are Covered by Dense Vegetation
    11. Slope
      1. South Facing Slope - Facing Sun - Adret Slope
      2. North Facing Slope - Not Facing Sun - Ubac Slope
  - Shivalik - Youngest - Sedimentary Rock - Lower Himalayas
    1. Shivalik Range is Made up of Sedimentary Rocks
    2. Altitude Varies from 1000 to 1500 Metres
    3. Hills are Highly Prone to Landslides due to their Sedimentary Region. Here Masswaring will be very high
    4. Shiwalik Ranges Are called
      1. Nepal - Churia Hills / Churia Ghats
    5. Note
      1. Dhauladhar is a Range in Middle Himalayas
      2. Dhaulagiri is a Peak in Greater Himalayas
    6. The Shiwalik Extending Towards North East ; Ranges are called Abhor, Mishmi, Dafla, Miri
    7. Width Varies from West to East.
      1. It is 50 Km in Himachal Pradesh to Less than 15 Km in Arunachal Pradesh
    8. It is composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by the rivers from the north of Himalayas
    9. They are almost unbroken chains of Low Hills except a gap of 80 to 90 Meters which is occupied by the Valley of River Teesta
      
      Teesta is a Tributary of Brahmaputra
    10. As the Shiwaliks were formed they obstructed courses of Rivers draining from Himalayas
    11. The Debris Brought down by the Rivers were deposited in these Lakes, After the Rivers had cut their course through the shivalik Ranges the Lakes were drained away leaving behind plains
    12. These are called as
      1. Doons in the West
      2. Duars in the East
    13. Region btw Greater Himalayas and Middle Himalayas like
      1. Kashmir Valley
      2. Kangra Valley
      3. Kathmandu Valley
    Chaus
    
    Eastern Part of Shiwalik Range upto Nepal is covered with thick forest. However Forest Cover becomes thin in the west. The Southern Slope of this Range are almost devoid of forests cover in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. They are Highly Dissected by Seasonal Streams called as Chaus
    
    We can see them in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab
- Glaciers and Snowline
  1. The Lower Limit of Perpetual Snow is called as Snowline
  2. Treeline Starts where Snowline
  3. Snowline in Himalayas has Different Height. It depends on Latitude, Altitude, Precipitation, Moisture, Slope and Local Topography
  4. The Snowline in Western Himalayas is at Lower Altitude than Eastern Himalayas
    
    Example: the Glaciers of Kanchenjunga in Sikkim Hardly Moves Below 4000 Meter and those in Kumaon, Lahaul and Spiti move to 3600 Meters
    
    The Glaciers of Kashmir Himalayas may decent upto 2500 Meters above the Sea Level
  5. Reasons
    1. It is because of Increase in Latitude from 28 degree north in Kanchenjunga to 36 degree north in Karakoram
    2. Thus Lowering the Latitude, Warmer the Temperature, higher the Snowline
    3. The Eastern Himalayas rise Abruptly from the Plains without the Intervention of High Ranges
    4. The Total Precipitation is less in Western Himalayas and Mainly takes place in the form of Snow
    5. In Greater Himalayan Ranges, Snowline is at Lower Elevation on the Southern Slopes than in Northern Slopes
      
      Because Souther Slopes are Steeper and Receive More Precipitation as compared to Northern Slopes
- Diagram
  
  From North to South
  
  Cross Sectional Diagram
- ITSZ - Indo Tsangpo Suture Zone
  1. It represents a Belt of tectonic compression between Indian plate and Eurasian plate (Tibetan Plate)
  2. It marks the Boundary Between Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate
  3. The Suture Zone Stretches from North West Himalayan Syntaxes Bordering the Nanga Parbat to Namcha Barwa in East
  4. The Karakoram, Ladakh and Zanskar Range lies to North of Indo Tsangpo Suture Zone
- MCT - Main Central Thrust Zone
  1. It Separates Greater Himalayas and Lesser Himalayas
- MBT - Main Boundary Thrust
  1. It is a Reverse Fault Separating lesser Himalayas and Shiwaliks
- HFF - Himalayan Front Fault
  1. It separates or marks a boundary between Shiwaliks from Himalayan Province from Alluvial Expanse of Indo Gangetic Plains
- Regional Division of Himalayas
  1. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal & Punjab Himalayas
    
    This Region of Him lies b/w River Indus and Sutlej
  2. Kumaon / Garhwal Himalayas
    
    This Region of Him lies b/w River Sutlej and Kali
  3. Nepal / Sikkim Himalayas
    
    This Region of Him lies b/w River Kali and Teesta
  4. Assam Himalayas
    
    This Region of Him lies b/w River Teesta and Dihang
- Important Passes to Study
  1. Pir Panjal Pass
  2. Bani Hal Pass
  3. Zoji La Pass
  4. Shipki La
  5. Bara Lacha
  6. Rohtang
  7. Niti
  8. Nathu La
  9. Jelp La
- Significance of Himalayas - Add from Self As Well
  1. Prevent Cold Siberian Winds to Enter India because of their Altitude. Had there been No Himalayas, India would be a Cold Desert
  2. They Help in Orographic Rainfall. In India Orographic Rainfall is Maximum
  3. in Ancient Times they acted as a Barrier and protected from Foreign Invasions
  4. They act as National and International Borders
    
    India China LAC
  5. They are Source for Perennial Rivers (Flow Throughout the River, In Ganga in winters Water Volumes will slightly Decrease)
    
    North Indian Rivers - Perennial River
    
    South Indian Rivers - Monsoon River
  6. Source of Fertile Soil
  7. Source of Generating Hydro Electricity
    1. Tehri Dam
    2. Salal Dam
    3. Bhakra Nangal Dam
  8. Abundance of Forests Wealth - Timber & Gum
    
    Temperate Fruits - Apple, Apricot & Orchids
  9. Tourism and Pilgrimage
    
    Amarnath Yatra - National Integration & Communal Brother Hood
  10. Himalayan Region is Rich in Minerals like Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead
    1. Coal (Tertiary Coal Fields with Skeet) is Found in Kashmir
    2. Anthracite Coal (Highest Carbon Content) is only found in Rajouri District
  11. However with the Present Technology are NOT Being Exploited there
  12. It Supports Bio Diversity
- Kareva Soil of Kashmir
  
  Source from Saffron by Means of Zafran
2 Great North Indian Plains
- Introduction
  - Rivers Sediments Deposited have created these North Indian Plains
  1. They are formed due to Depositional Activities performed by the River coming from Himalayas and Peninsula
  2. South of Himalayas and North of Vindhyas
    1. Rivers from Him were - Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra
    2. Rivers from Vindhyas were - North Flowing Rivers like Kane, Betwa, Chambal
  3. Sediments from Coarse to Finer
    1. Boulder
    2. Cobble
    3. Pebble
    4. Gravel
    5. Sand
    6. Silt → River can carry this to max distance
    7. Clay
  4. Due to Upliftment of Himalayas Northern Part of Indian Plate got Subsided and Formed a Large Basin, this Basin was filled with Sediments from the Rivers which came from the Mountains in the North ( Himalayas ) and from the Peninsula in the South
  5. These Extensive Alluvial Deposits led to the Formation of North Indian Plains
  6. The Rivers from Himalayas Bring Large Quantity of Sediments with Pebble Studded Rocks and Finally Fulfill this Depression
- Chief Characteristics of North Indian Planes
  1. North Indian Plains Range from Mouth of Indus to Mouth of Teesta
  2. The North Plains of India are formed by three Major Rivers or River System :
    1. Indus River System
    2. Ganga River System
    3. Brahmaputra River System
  3. Amongst the Plains of the World → These are the Largest Alluvial Track of the World
  4. There are Plains on the Foothills of Mountains
    - Great Plains of USA
    - Central Plains of Europe
  5. These Plain Extend Approximately from 3200 KM from West to East
  6. Average width of Plain Varied Between 150 - 300 KM
  7. In General Width of North Indian Plain Increases from East to West
    1. 90 - 100 KM in Assam
    2. 500 KM - Punjab
  8. The Exact Depth of Alluvium Plain has not yet been fully determined. However according to recent estimates
  9. The Average Depth of Alluvium Avg Depth of Plain Varied from 1300 1400 M where as towards Siwaliks the Depth of Alluvium Increases
  10. The Extreme Horizontality of this Monotonous Plain is its Chief Characteristics
  11. The Highest Elevation is Near Ambala(West of Haryana) which is 291 M from the Mean Sea Level
  12. Lowest Elevation is Near Calcutta i.e 10 MSL
  13. Ambala Region of North Indian Plains create a Watershed Between Indus and Ganga System
  14. These North Indian Plains are Broken at Micro Levels by the Rivers
- Structure of North Indian Plains
  - Characteristics Features of Bhabhar Zone
    1. It is formed of coarser, pebble studded rocks,
    2. Its porosity is very high
    3. the Surface Moisture will be absent
    4. Water Table will be at Greater Depth due to Higher Porosity
    5. It is not good for agriculture, as it is not fine soil and has deep water. only those vegetations which have deeper roots will survive here
    6. People do agri here but it is not much suitable for agri, a lot of area of bhabhar zone is under agru by means of modern irrigation
  - Characteristics Features of Terai Zone
    1. It is the re emergence of streams which disappeared at Bhabhar Zone
    2. Soil is relatively finer at Bhabhar Zone
    3. Water Table will be close to the surface
    4. Here Sediment Size is Finer. Hence Porosity is very Low
    5. It is a Swampy Marshy Area. Here Bacterial Activity is very High.
      
      Hence it helps in Nitrogen Fixation → Soils are rich in N2
      
      Hence they are fit for agri
    6. They were thickly forested, however most of the area has been Reclaimed under Agri
  - Creation of Khadar and Bangar Zone & Concept of Flood Plains
    
    Read the Characteristics from Handout
- Significance of North Indian Plains
  1. Cradle of Population
  2. 70% Popln lives in Plains
  3. It is suitable for Agri and Transport
The North Indian Plains has Three Parts
- 1 Punjab Haryana Plain - Indus and Tributaries
  1. Punjab Haryana
- 2 Ganga Plain - Ganga and Tributaries
  1. UP Bihar
- 3 Assam Plain - Brahmaputra and Tributaries
  1. Assam Region
3 Peninsular Plateau
- What is a Peninsula ?
  
  Any Landmass Surrounded by Water from three Sides
- Introduction
  1. It is geologically one of the oldest part of India
  2. It is roughly in the shape of a Inverted Triangle
  3. It is Geologically the Oldest Physiography of India which contains hills, plateaus and coastal plain
- Cross Sectional View of Peninsular Plateau
  
  WCP - Western Coastal Plain
  
  ECP - Eastern Coastal Plain
  
  WG - Western Ghats
  
  EG - Eastern Ghats
  
  PP - Plateau
- Bird Eye View of Indian Peninsular Plateau
  
  Indian Peninsular Plateau is surrounded by water on the three sides but at the same time is Surrounded by Hills from all the Sides. Namely
  1. To the East - Eastern Ghats
  2. To the West - Western Ghats
    1. They Generate Orographic Effect on the South West Monsoon Winds
    2. Highest Peak of Indian Peninsula & Western Ghar is Anaimudi in the South. Due to When Indian and Eurasian Plate Collided , Indian Plate from the South was Lifted.
  3. To the South - Nilgiri
    1. Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats meet at
    2. Highest Peak is Doddabetta
  4. To the North West - Aravallis
    1. Highest Peak of Aravali is Abu Hills Mt Guru Shikhar
    2. In Gujarat They Have Denuded.
    3. Here we have Gir Ranages and Gir Forests also called as Daand Forests
  5. To the North - Vindhyas
    1. Highest Peak of Vindhyas Sadbhavna Shikhar
  6. To the North East is Kaimur Hills
  7. To the East is Rajmahal Hills
    1. Highest Peak of Raja Mahal Hills is Parasnath Hill
  8. Here the Central Deccan Plateau is Relatively Dry due to it being in the Shadow Zone
Indian Peninsular Plateau has primarily Two Parts
- Hills on three Sides
  - Hill Ranges of the Peninsula
  - Highest Peaks of Various Ranges
    1. Karakoram - K2 Peak
    2. Aravali - Mt Abu - Guru Shikhar
    3. Western Ghat - Anamudi
    4. Nilgiri - Dodabeta
    5. Eastern Ghat
      1. In Orissa - Mahendra Giri
      2. Over All - Mt Jindhagada
    6. Maikala Ranges - Amar Kantak
    7. Vindhya - Sadbhawana Shikhar
    8. Satpura - Dhupgarh
    9. Sahyadri - Dhodap
  - Aravallis Range
    1. Aravallis the Oldest Fold Mountain of the World extending from Gujarat in the South West (Palanpur) towards Rajasthan
    2. It is more elevated in South West Region
    3. They continue till haridwar also where it is buried under alluvium of Ganga Plain
    4. It highest Peak is Mt Guru Shikhar ( in Rajasthan)
    5. It acts as a Water Divide Between Indus and Gangetic Plains
  - Vindhya Range
    1. Extends from Gujarat in the West to Kaimur Range in Bihar to the East
    2. Its Altitude is Low i.e 300 to 600 Meters
    3. It acts as a Water divide between Himalayan and Peninsular Drainage System
    4. It is a Block Mountain
  - Satpura Range
    1. It is a Series of 7 Mountains
    2. Sat - Seven Pura - Mountains
    3. It is a Block Mountain, Surrounded by the RIft Valley of Narmada
    4. They Stretch for around 900 KM’s
    5. Parts of Satpura have been Folded and Uphieved, thus they are regarded as Structural Uplift or Horst
    - Meaning of Horst and Graben
      
      Block Mountain is also called a Horst
      
      Rift Valley is also called a Graben
    1. It is called as
      1. Rajpipla Hills in Gujarat
      2. Mahadev Hills in MP
      3. Maikal Hills in MP & CG (Majority in CG)
    2. Some Facts
      1. Mount Dhoopgarh Near Pachmarhi on Mahadev Hills is the Highest Peak
      2. The Satpura Hills is a Water Divide Between Narmada & Tapi
  - Western Ghats
    - Introduction
      1. It acts as water divide between river flowing into arabian sea and bay of bengal
      2. They are barrier to South west monsoon winds and hence are responsible for orographic rains
      3. The Western Ghats Extend from Mouth of Tapi, till kanyakumari along the western coast of India
      4. Between 21 Degree North to 11 Degree North
      5. They Run in total for a Length of 1600 KM
      6. Their Average Elevation is 1000 Mtr from Sea Level
      7. These Western Ghats are NOT Real Mountains but they are the faulted edges of an upraised plateau
      8. When Indian Plate was moving over the Reunion Hotspot it experiences intrusion of Magma from Below → This resulted into Domal Upliftment
      9. The Track of the Uplifted Part Coincides with the Central Axial Region of Weakness. This led to Faulting and Subsequent Subsidence of Western Part of Peninsula into the Sea.
      10. The Western Ghat acts as a Watershed or Water Divide between East and West Flowing Peninsular Rivers
      11. Western Ghats Generates Orographic Effect to the South West Monsoon Winds. The Leeward Slope of Mountain has deccan plateau which is relatively dry due to Rain Shadow Effect
      12. In Gujarat they are called as Gir Ranges, but are not prominent due to denudation
    - Division of Western Ghats are
      - Northern Western Ghats
        
        from Tapi to North of Goa, it is made up of Horizontal Sheets which is know as Deccan Trap
        
        Trap is a word for Stairs in Sweden. Due to Basaltic Lava being more fluid. It has many varied cooling thus giving a stair like appearance. Hence called Deccan Trap
        
        Mt Kalsubai is the Highest Peak
        
        Extends until Gujarat but has been denuded
      - Central Western Ghats
        
        The Middle Part in total are called as Baba Budan Hills
        
        He Cultivated Coffee for the First Time by Going to Africa via Arabian Sea
        
        Two Indigenous Varieties of Coffee in INdia
        
        Arabica
        
        Robustus
        
        Pre monsoon shower good for their cultivation is Cherry Blossom Shower (Local Thunderstorm Associated)
        
        It extends from 16 Degree North upto Nilgiris
        
        Average Height is 1200 to 1500 Meters
        
        Important Peaks are
        
        In Middle Western Ghats the Highest Peak is Mullayanagiri
        
        Vavul Mala in Karnataka & Kerala Border - 2235 Meters
        
        Kudremukh - 1892 M - Rich in Iron Ore Extraction
        
        Pushpagiri - 1749 M
      - Southern Western Ghats
        
        It has the highest peak of western ghats called Anamudi.
        
        It constitutes the Southern Hill COmplex comprising of Nilgiri, Annamalai & Cardamom Hills
        
        Imp Grasslands here are Shola Forests
        
        Nilgiri
        
        Meeting Point of Western & Eastern Ghats
        
        HIghest Peak of Nilgiri is Doddabetta
    - Passes / Ghats (Man Made / Natural) in Western Ghats
      1. Thal Ghat / Thul Ghat && Bhor Ghat
        
        Thal Ghat & Bhor Ghat provide passage by road and railway between konkan plains in the west and deccan plateau in the east
        
        Plains of Maharashtra & Goa are together called as Konkan Plains
  - Eastern Ghats
    1. Bordering the Deccan Plateau, Eastern Ghats Run Almost Parallel to the East Coast of India.
    2. Eastern Ghat is a Group of Hills, Intersected by East Flowing Peninsular Rivers of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Kanara & Vagai (TN)
    3. Thus, they are not considered as Perfect Barriers
    4. It Joins the Western Ghats in Nilgiris
    5. The Important Peaks Comprising Eastern Ghats Are
      1. The Highest Peak of Eastern Ghat is Jindgarha (Andhra Pradesh)
      2. The Highest Peak of Eastern Ghat in Orissa is MahendraGiri
    6. The Important Hills Comprising Eastern Ghats Are
      1. Northern Circars, Orissa
      2. Nallamalai, Andhra Pradesh
      3. Velkonda, Andhra Pradesh
      4. Palkonda, Andhra Pradesh
      5. Javadi, TN
      6. Shevaroy, TN
  - Difference Between Eastern and Western Ghats
    1. Eastern Ghats are discountuos as compared to western ghats
      
      They are discontinuous due to flow of Rivers
- Plateau in the Centre
  - Diagram of Divisions (Khands)
    
    The Indian Peninsular Plateau is Divided into Parts called (Khands)
  - Three Parts of Plateau Region of Peninsula
    - 1. Central Highland - Madhya Bharat
      - Malwa
        
        South of Ganga Plains, North East of Aravalis, North of Vindhyas, A Triangular Feature is called as Malwa Plateau (Also called Central Highlands)
        
        It has extension towards east i.e Chota Nagpur Plateau
        
        It is more wider in the west and narrower in the east
        
        Towards west I merges with thar desert
      - Bundelkhand
        
        Prelims Based Facts for Bundelkhand Upland
        
        It is bounded by
        
        North - Yamuna River
        
        South - By Vindhya
        
        North West - North West
        
        It has a Senile Topography (it means featureless characteristics due to high erosion) which comprises of Small Rounded Hills of Granite, Niece and Stand Stone
      - Baghelkhand
        
        It lies to the east of Maikala Range
        
        It comprises of
        
        Vindhyan Sand Stone
        
        River Soan Basin
        
        Thick Forest
      - Chota Nagpur Plateau
        
        Northern Part - Hazaribagh
        
        Southern Part - Ranchi Plateau
        
        It Includes Jharkhand, Northern CG & Purulia in West Bengal
        
        It has an average elevation of 700 Mtr. The Plateau consists of Series of Step Like Sub Plateau locally called as Patlands such as Hazaribagh and Ranchi Plateau
        
        Examples of Pat Land - in a Series
        
        The North Eastern Projection of CNP is Raj Mahal Hills
        
        Numerous Rivers Flow downward from this Plateau making Number of Waterfalls (The Drainage Pattern is called as Radial Pattern)
        
        It is also called as Mineral Heartland of India
        
        It is rich in terms of Metallic and Non Metallic Minerals
        
        It is also called as Ruhr of India ( Ruhur is a Valley in Germany known for Coal Deposits)
    - 1. Deccan Plateau
      - Over All Description of Deccan Plateau
        
        Surrounded by Mountains
        
        West - Western Ghats
        
        East - Eastern Ghats
        
        North - Satpura
      Parts of Deccan Plateau Are
      - Maharashtra Plateau
      - Karnataka Plateau
      - Telangana Plateau
        
        A Part of Telangana Plateau is Rayalaseema Plateau
      - CG / Bastar / Dandakaranya Plateau
    - Division Between Central Highlands & Deccan Plateau
      
      Central Highlands → North of Narmada
      
      Deccan Plateau → South of Narmada River or Satpura Range
    - 1. North East / Purvanchal
      - Shillong / Karbi Anglong / Megalin Plateau
        
        Introduction
        
        Karbi is an Autonomous Region of Karbi Tribe, has been recently declared as a District
        
        Assam is a Plain formed by Brahmaputra, but has a plateau called Karbi Anglong Plateau
        
        The Megalin Plateau is separated from Peninsula Plateau by Garo Rajmahal Gap
        
        The Highest Peak of Plateau is Shillong
        
        Region has Hills like Garo Khasi, Jaintia
        
        It has 2 more hills called
        
        Mikir Hills / Rengma Hills
        
        Karbi Anglong Hills
        
        It is an Extension of Megalin Plateau towards Assam
        
        It is rich in mineral resources like
        
        Coal - Tertiary
        
        Iron Ore
        
        Limestone
        
        Uranium
        
        This Area Receives Maximum Rainfall from South West Monsoon ; as a Result of this Megalin Plateau has Highly Eroded Surface
        
        Cherrapunji Located in the Southern Slopes of Khasi Hills, displays a Bare Rock Surface which is devoid of any permanent vegetative cover
        
        Raj Mahal Garo Gap
        
        The Two Disconnected Outline Segments of Peninsular Plateau are seen in Raj Mahal and Garo Khasi Jaintia Hills
        
        It is believed that due to force exerted by North West Movement of Indian Plate at the time of Himalayan Origin. A Huge Fault was created between the Raj Mahal Hills and Megalin Plateau
        
        Later this Depression got filled with Deposition Activities of Numerous Rivers. Especially River Ganga & Brahmaputra
        
        As a Result, today Megalin & Karbi Angolan Plateau stands attached from the main peninsular block
  - Plateau Categorisation on the Basis of Origin
    - Volcanic Plateau
      - Process
        
        Volcanic Plateau are formed by the Cooling & Solidification of Basic Lava which is Basaltic in Nature
        
        Their Decomposition and Disintegration, results into the formation of Black Soil
      - Kathiawar Plateau, Gujarat
        
        Near Gulf of Khambhat
        
        Also called as Kutch Kathiawar Region
        
        This Region though is an extension of peninsular plateau (in kathiawar region there are rocks of deccan lava)
        
        Because Kathiawar is made up of deccan lava and there are Tertiary Rocks in the Kutch Area
        
        However as of now, they are treated as Integral Part of Western Coastal Plain, cuz they are now levelled Down
      - Malwa Plateau
      - Deccan Trap, Maharashtra
        
        If a Plateau is surrounded by Flat Top Hills, it is called as Trap.
        
        The hill surrounding it are, Ajanta, Balaghat, Harishchandra
        
        The Deccan Trap comprises of Three Parts as
        
        Maharashtrian Plateau
        
        Has a typical deccan trap topography underlying by Basaltic Rocks
        
        Disintegrates into Black Soil or Regur. Good for Cotton Cultivation
        
        Karnataka Plateau / Mysore Plateau
        
        It is divided into Two Parts
        
        The Western Part is Hilly called Malnad
        
        The Eastern Part is Rolling Plain called Maidan
        
        Maidan Plains are known for Ragi Cultivation
        
        Telangana Plateau
    - Dissected Plateau
      1. They are made up of Old Metamorphic Rocks. They are Erosional Plateaus with Low Altitude and Low Slope
      2. Examples Are
        
        Bastar Plateau of CG
        
        Telangana Plateau
        
        Rayalaseema Plateau
        
        Malanad Part of Karnataka Plateau & Tamil Nadu Plateau
4 Coastal Plains
- Coastal Plains of India
- 1 Western Coastal Plain - Guj, Mah, Kar, Ker
  
  From Tapi till Kanyakumari
  - Northern Part - Submerged Coastline
    - Gujarat Coast / Kathiawar Coast
      1. Comprises of Kutch & Gujrat Coast
      2. Kathiawar is a part of Indian Peninsula but due to denudation it has been levelled
        
        There is a Range here called Girnar Peninsula. The Girnar Ranges here are not high enough to give them a suitable height of obstruction for orographic rainfall
    - Konkan Coast
      
      Goa & Mah Coast
    - Canara Coast, Ktk
      1. Locally Referred Part of Western Coast is Canara Coast
  - Southern Part - Emerged Coastline
    1. Malabar Coast, Ker
      
      Special Feature is of Backwaters, which is called as Kayals here
      
      Backwaters are Economically very important, they are used for Navigation
- 2 Eastern Coastal Plains - Orissa, Andhra, TN
  1. Eastern Coastal Plains Stretch from Tamil Nadu in South to the West Bengal in North
  2. Over All Emerged Coast Line - Due to Delta
  3. Its constituents are
    - Utkal Coast
      1. It is a Deltaic Plain of Ganga Delta to Mahanadi Delta
      2. Here we have a Lagoon / Backwater called as Chilka Lake
    - Utkal Plains to Lake Pulicat contains Delta of Godavari & Krishna
      
      Example: Kolleru Lake
      
      The Depositional Activity of Krishna and Godavari, this lagoon is completely blocked from sea, due to its loss of connectivity to sea and at the same time, fresh water from Narmada and Godavari, It has turned into a fresh water lake
    - Northern Circars
      1. Lies Between Mahanadi and Krishna
    - Coromandel Coast
      1. It is between River Krishna & Kanyakumari
      2. It consists of cauvery delta
  4. Eastern Coast of India - Important Lagoons
    1. Chilika Lagoon, Orissa
    2. Kolleru, Andhra Pradesh - Fresh Water
    3. Lake Pulicat (Called Sriharikota Island Now)
5 The Islands
- 1 On Shore Islands
- 2 Off Shore Islands
  - No of Island
    1. Total - 247
    2. Arabian Sea - 43
    3. Bay of Bengal - 204
  - Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    - Introduction
      1. They are Convex to the West
      2. They are extensions of Arakan Yoma
      3. Its a Tropical Evergreen Semi Evergreen Forest type Vegetation
    - North Andaman
      1. Saddle Peak
      2. East of Saddle Peak is a Extinct Volcano called Narcondam Island which is inhabitable
      3. Below that is Barren Island, which is a Active Volcano
    - Middle Andaman
    - South Andaman
    - Duncan Passage
      
      Little Andaman Separated by South Andaman by Duncan Passage
    - Little Andaman
    - 10 Degree Channel
    - Car Nicobar
    - Great Nicobar
      1. Southernmost Point is Indira Point, half of it got submerged under water after Tsunami of 2005
  - Lakshadweep Islands Group
    1. Created by Chagos Laccadive Ridge
    2. Ridge - Long Liner Under Sea Mountain
    3. They are Organic in Origin because there are coral deposits
    4. Examples
      1. Minicoy Island
      2. 9 Degree Channel Separates Minicoy Island from Kavaratti
      3. Karvati
    5. It’s a Tiny Group of Island, These Islands are Organic in Origin. These are Coral Islands located over Mid Oceanic Ridge
      
      Example of Mid Oceanic Ridge is Minicoy Chagus Ridge
    6. These Coral Islands are circular or Elliptical with a Lagoon in the Centre also called as Atolls