Geography of India: Northern Plains and Coral Reefs
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What are the four regions into which the Northern plains of India can be divided based on relief features?

The Northern plains can be divided into bhabar, terai, floodplains, and riverine islands.

Describe the characteristics of the bhabar region in the Northern plains.

The bhabar region is a narrow belt where rivers deposit pebbles and all streams disappear.

What transformations did the terai region undergo after partition?

The terai region was cleared to create agricultural land and to accommodate migrants from Pakistan.

What is Majuli and why is it significant?

<p>Majuli is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world, formed of older alluvium above floodplains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the characteristics of the rivers in their lower course contribute to the formation of riverine islands.

<p>In their lower course, rivers slow down due to gentle slopes, leading to decreased velocity and the formation of riverine islands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the wildlife sanctuary located in the terai region of the Northern plains and its significance.

<p>Dudhwa National Park is located in the terai region and is significant for its rich biodiversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What natural process leads to the diverse relief features found in the Northern plains?

<p>The rivers descending from the northern mountains engage in both erosional and depositional processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Lakshadweep Islands in terms of strategic importance and biodiversity?

<p>The Lakshadweep Islands are strategically important for India and host a diverse range of flora and fauna due to their unique equatorial climate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify India's only active volcano and describe its location.

<p>India's only active volcano is located on Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the role of coral polyps in forming coral reefs.

<p>Coral polyps, which are microscopic organisms, secrete calcium carbonate to form coral reefs, thriving in shallow warm waters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of coral reefs mentioned in the content, and why are they significant?

<p>The content does not specify the three types of coral reefs, but they are significant as they support marine biodiversity and protect coastlines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the physiographic units of India contribute to its natural resources?

<p>The physiographic units, including mountains, plains, and plateaus, provide essential natural resources like water, agricultural land, and minerals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the continuous westward extension of the region mentioned in the content?

<p>It merges with the sandy and rocky desert of Rajasthan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the flow of the rivers in this region change direction?

<p>The flow is from southwest to northeast.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average elevation of the Western Ghats compared to the Eastern Ghats?

<p>The average elevation of the Western Ghats is 900-1600 metres, while the Eastern Ghats average 600 metres.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the highest peaks of the Western Ghats.

<p>The highest peaks include Anai Mudi at 2,695 metres and Doda Betta at 2,637 metres.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs due to the Western Ghats facing moist winds?

<p>Orographic rain occurs as the winds rise along the western slopes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the Eastern Ghats differ from the Western Ghats in terms of geographical characteristics?

<p>Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and irregular, while Western Ghats are continuous and higher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the local names given to the eastward extensions of the Central Highlands?

<p>They are known as Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which peak is the highest in the Eastern Ghats?

<p>Mahendragiri at 1,501 metres is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are rivers in the Eastern Ghats characterized in relation to their flow into the Bay of Bengal?

<p>The rivers are dissected by various geographical features as they flow into the Bay of Bengal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What volcanic origin feature contributes to the formation of black soil in the Peninsular plateau?

<p>Deccan Trap.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the hill stations that are famous in the region mentioned in the content.

<p>Udagamandalam (Ooty) and Kodaikanal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the annual rainfall that characterizes the Indian desert?

<p>Below 150 mm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name the only large river in the Indian desert region.

<p>Luni.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hills lie on the western and northwestern margins of the Peninsular plateau?

<p>Aravali Hills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are barchans and where can they be observed as mentioned in the content?

<p>Barchans are crescent-shaped sand dunes found in the Indian desert.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List the three sections of the western coastal plain in India.

<p>Konkan, Kannad Plain, Malabar coast.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What climatic conditions and vegetation cover characterize the Indian desert?

<p>Arid climate with low vegetation cover.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do streams behave in the Indian desert during the rainy season?

<p>They appear briefly but soon disappear into the sand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature of the Peninsular plateau is formed from igneous rocks?

<p>Black soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two segments of the coastal plains along the Bay of Bengal, and how are they differentiated?

<p>They are the Northern Circar in the north and the Coromandel Coast in the south.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name the four major rivers that have formed extensive deltas along the eastern coast of India.

<p>Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Chilika Lake, and where is it located?

<p>Chilika Lake is the largest saltwater lake in India, located in Odisha south of the Mahanadi delta.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the two main groups of islands in the Bay of Bengal and their geographic orientation.

<p>The Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the shape and size characteristics of the dunes mentioned in the context of the Indian desert.

<p>Barchans are crescent-shaped dunes that cover larger areas, while longitudinal dunes are more elongated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands categorized?

<p>They are categorized based on their geographic positions, with Andaman in the north and Nicobar in the south.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geographical feature limits the position of Lake Chilika?

<p>Chilika Lake is located to the south of the Mahanadi delta.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological theory is suggested about the Andaman and Nicobar islands?

<p>It is believed that these islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do the large rivers play along the coastal plains of India?

<p>They form extensive deltas that enhance the fertility of the plains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between the coastal plains and major rivers in the context of Indian geography.

<p>The coastal plains are nourished by major rivers, which create deltas that enrich the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bhabar

A narrow, pebbly belt of land found at the foot of the Shiwaliks, formed by rivers depositing pebbles as they descend from the mountains.

Terai

A wet, marshy region south of the Bhabar, where rivers and streams reappear after disappearing in the Bhabar.

Northern Plains

A flat, fertile plain formed by the deposition of alluvium by rivers, characteristically associated with agricultural productivity.

Older Alluvium Plains

The larger part of the Northern Plains, elevated above the floodplains, featuring a stepped or terrace-like landscape.

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Alluvium

Deposits of silt and clay carried by rivers, forming fertile plains.

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Diverse Relief Features of the Northern Plains

The changing relief features of the Northern Plains, causing variations in landscape.

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Riverine Islands

Large islands formed in rivers due to the flow of water creating deposits of sediments.

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Central Highlands

A plateau in Central India, wider in the west and narrower in the east, which marks the transition between the Deccan Plateau and the Northern Plains.

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Western and Eastern Ghats

Two mountain ranges located in peninsular India. The Western Ghats are higher and more continuous, while the Eastern Ghats are lower and discontinuous. Both are vital in influencing rainfall patterns.

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Orographic rainfall

A landform created when moisture-laden winds are forced to rise by a mountain barrier, leading to condensation and heavy rainfall on the windward side.

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Western Ghats rainfall

A specific type of rainfall caused by the Western Ghats blocking the monsoon winds, resulting in heavy rain on the windward side of the range.

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Slope direction in Central Highlands

The flow of rivers from southwest to northeast in the Central Highlands indicates the eastward slope of the plateau. This direction shows how water moves from higher elevations to lower ones.

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Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand

Extensions of the Central Highlands located in the east, known for their unique geological and cultural features.

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Height variation in Western Ghats

The Western Ghats progressively increase in height from north to south, culminating in the highest peaks of the range.

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Mahendragiri

The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats, located in the state of Odisha.

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Malwa Plateau

A narrow transition zone between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges. It serves as a passage connecting the Deccan Plateau to the Northern Plains.

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Coral Islands

Small islands formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons.

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Lakshadweep

A type of island formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons, featuring a diversity of flora and fauna.

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Kavaratti Island

The administrative center of the Lakshadweep islands characterized by a diverse ecosystem.

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Coral reefs

A type of reef formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons. They are formed in warm, shallow waters.

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Coral polyps

These are microscopic sea creatures that form colonies and secrete calcium carbonate, contributing to the formation of coral reefs.

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Deccan Trap

The Deccan Trap is a large region of basalt rock in India, formed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. These rocks are igneous, meaning they were formed from molten rock.

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Black soil

Black soil, also known as regur, is a fertile, dark-colored soil found in the Deccan Trap region. It is formed from the weathering of igneous rocks and is known for its water-holding capacity.

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Aravalli Hills

The Aravalli Hills are a range of ancient, highly eroded hills in India. They extend from Gujarat to Delhi, forming a broken and fragmented landscape.

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Indian Desert

The Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, covers a large area in western India. It receives low rainfall, leading to arid conditions and a predominantly sandy landscape.

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Luni River

The Luni River is the only major river in the Indian Desert. It flows through the desert, disappearing in the sand due to low rainfall and high evaporation.

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Barchans

Barchans are crescent-shaped sand dunes, common in deserts. They form as wind erodes and deposits sand, creating these distinctive shapes.

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Western Ghats

The Western Ghats are a range of mountains running along the western edge of the Peninsular plateau. They are responsible for creating the narrow coastal plain known as the Konkan.

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Konkan

The Konkan, a narrow coastal plain in western India, is situated between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It stretches from Mumbai to Goa.

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Kannad Plain

The Kannad Plain is a coastal plain in western India, located south of Konkan. It extends along the Arabian Sea and is known for its fertile land.

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Malabar Coast

The Malabar Coast spans the southern part of the western coastal region of India, running along the Arabian Sea. It is known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems.

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Coastal Plains of India

The wide, flat plains along the Bay of Bengal. The northern part is called the Northern Circar, while the southern part is known as the Coromandel Coast.

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Deltas on the Coastal Plains

Major rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri have deposited silt and sand, forming these fertile areas at the mouth of the rivers.

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Chilika Lake

The largest saltwater lake in India, located in Odisha, south of the Mahanadi delta.

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Longitudinal Dunes

Long, narrow sand dunes parallel to the direction of the wind. They are found in areas with strong prevailing winds.

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Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, extending from north to south. They are divided into the Andaman Islands (north) and the Nicobar Islands (south).

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Origin of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

A group of islands formed by the upliftment of parts of submarine mountains. They are believed to be part of a submerged mountain range.

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Mainland

A large, continuous piece of land. The main part of a country or continent.

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Northern Circar

The northern part of the Coastal Plains of India, extending from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh.

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Coromandel Coast

The southern part of the Coastal Plains of India, extending from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu.

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Study Notes

Physical Features of India

  • India is a vast country with diverse landforms, including mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, and islands.
  • The Himalayas are young, fold mountains running west to east from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
  • The Himalayas represent one of the world's most rugged mountain barriers, forming an arc approximately 2,400 km long and varying in width from 400 km to 150 km.
  • The Himalayas have three parallel ranges: the Great Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas, and the Shivalik Hills.
  • The Himalayas have high altitude variations, with the Great Himalayas averaging 6,000 meters.
  • The Northern Plains are formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
  • These plains consist of alluvial soil and are densely populated agricultural regions.
  • The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses on Earth, with stable rock formations and gently sloping hills and valleys.
  • The plateau is comprised of the Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau.
  • The Deccan Plateau is a triangular-shaped landmass south of the Narmada River.
  • The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are prominent hill ranges running along the western and eastern coasts of the Deccan Plateau.
  • The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats.
  • The Indian Desert, located in western Rajasthan, is an arid region with low rainfall, sand dunes, and sparse vegetation.
  • The Indian Coastal Plains are found along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal coasts, ranging in width and featuring extensive deltas formed by major rivers.
  • The islands of India include the Lakshadweep Islands, in the Arabian Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Lakshadweep Islands are composed of coral islands.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a chain of islands of volcanic origin.

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Physical Features of India PDF

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Explore the diverse geography of India, focusing on the Northern plains and significant natural features such as the Terai region and Majuli Island. This quiz covers topics like regional characteristics, wildlife sanctuaries, and the importance of coral reefs. Test your knowledge on India's unique physiographic units and their resources.

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