Physical Features of India Class 9 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What do the movements of tectonic plates cause?

The movements cause stresses which cause folding, faulting and volcanic activities.

What are the types of tectonic plate movements?

Convergent boundary, divergent boundary and transform boundary.

What was the Gondwana land? Which countries were a part of it?

The Indian peninsula is the oldest part of the Indian subcontinent as it was part of the Gondwana land. This landmass included countries like India, Australia, South Africa, South America and Antarctica.

Describe the movement of the Gondwana land.

Convectional currents split the crust of the Earth and the Indo-Australian plate was separated from the Gondwana land and the plate moved into the north, Subsequently, the Australian plate got separated from the Indian plate and the Indian plate hit the Eurasian plate. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the formation of the Himalayas.

When the Indian plate hit the Eurasian plate, the sedimentary rocks in the Tethys sea folded to form the Himalayas. Signup and view all the answers

How were the northern plains formed?

The formation of the Himalayas made a depression. This depression gradually got filled with sediments by flowing rivers from the mountains in the north and peninsular plateau in the south which led to the creation of the alluvium filled northern plains of India. Signup and view all the answers

What are the most stable and unstable landforms of India?

The peninsular plateau is the most stable and the Himalayan mountains are the most unstable. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physiographic divisions of India?

<ol> <li>The Himalayan mountains. 2) The Northern plains. 3) The Peninsular plateau. 4) The Indian Desert. 5) The Coastal Plains. 6) The Islands.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the introduction to the Himalayan mountains?

They run in a west to east direction, from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. They are the most loftiest and rugged mountain barriers of the world. They form an arc which is 2,400 km long. Signup and view all the answers

Describe The Himadri.

Most continuous range. Loftiest peaks in the world with an average height of 6 km. The core is composed of granite. Perennially snowbound. There are many glaciers. Signup and view all the answers

Describe The Himachal.

Lies to the south of the Himadri. Known as the lesser Himalayas with an altitude range from 4.5 km to 3.7 km. Famous valleys like Kangra and Kullu. Signup and view all the answers

Describe The Shiwaliks.

Width of 10-50 km. Altitude of 0.9 km to 1.1 km. Ranges composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers from main Himalayan ranges. Signup and view all the answers

Name some of the tallest peaks of the Himalayas.

Mount Everest in Nepal at about 8,848 m and Kanchenjunga in India at 8,598 m. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the longitudinal divisions of the Himalayas.

Divisions are separated by rivers: 1) Punjab Himalayas (Indus and Satluj rivers). 2) Kumaon Himalayas (Satluj and Kali rivers). 3) Nepal Himalayas (Kali and Tista rivers). 4) Assam Himalayas (Tista and Dihang rivers). Signup and view all the answers

What comes after the Assam Himalayas?

The Brahmaputra marks the end of the Himalayas at the east. After the Dihang gorge, the mountains bend sharply to the south and spread along the eastern boundary of India, known as Purvachal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the introduction to the northern plains?

Formed due to the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra with their tributaries. Alluvial soil. Signup and view all the answers

What are the riverine divisions of the northern plains?

<ol> <li>Punjab plains (formed by Indus and tributaries). 2) Ganga plains (between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers). 3) Brahmaputra plains (mostly in Assam).</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the relief variation divisions of the northern plains.

<ol> <li>Bhabar (deposits pebbles parallel to the Shiwalik slopes). 2) Terai (wet and marshy). 3) Bhangar (largest part containing calcareous deposits).</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the introduction to the peninsular plateau?

Composed of old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Oldest landmass as it was originally part of Gondwana land. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Central Highlands?

North of the Narmada river, covers most of the Malwa plateau. Wider in the west and narrower in the east. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Deccan Plateau?

Triangular landmass, lies to the south of the Narmada river, higher in the west and gently slopes towards the east. Signup and view all the answers

What are The Ghats?

Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats bound the Deccan Plateau. They lie parallel to their respective coasts. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Western Ghats.

0.9 km - 1.6 km elevation, cause rain by forcing rain-bearing winds to rise along the slopes. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Eastern Ghats.

0.6 km elevation, discontinuous and irregular, dissected by rivers. Signup and view all the answers

What are distinct features of the Deccan Plateau?

Deccan Trap, black soil with volcanic origin, Aravali hills lie on the west and northwest. Signup and view all the answers

What is The Indian Desert?

Lies towards east of the Aravali Hills, sandy plain covered with sand dunes, rainfall below 150 mm per year. Signup and view all the answers

What are The Coastal Plains?

The peninsular plateau is surrounded by coastal strips along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Signup and view all the answers

What are The Islands of India?

India has two islands, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the things we get from different physiographic features?

Mountains provide water and forest wealth; northern plains are granaries of the country; plateau provides minerals. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tectonic Plate Movements

Tectonic plate movements cause stresses leading to folding, faulting, and volcanic activities.
Types of movements include convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.

Gondwana Land

The Indian peninsula, oldest part of the subcontinent, was part of Gondwana land.
Countries included: India, Australia, South Africa, South America, and Antarctica.

Movement of Gondwana Land

Convectional currents split Earth’s crust; Indo-Australian plate separated from Gondwana.
Indian plate migrated northward, colliding with the Eurasian plate.

Himalayas Formation

Collision of Indian and Eurasian plates folded sedimentary rocks from the Tethys Sea into the Himalayas.

Northern Plains Formation

Himalayas created a depression filled by sediments from rivers, forming alluvium-rich northern plains.

Stable and Unstable Landforms

The peninsular plateau recognized as most stable landform.
Himalayan mountains identified as most unstable due to tectonic activity.

Physiographic Divisions of India

Divided into six main regions: Himalayan mountains, Northern plains, Peninsular plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands.

Introduction to the Himalayan Mountains

Extend 2,400 km from the Indus to the Brahmaputra, with varying widths (400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh).
Consist of three ranges: Himadri, Himachal, and Shiwaliks.

Himadri Range

Continuous range with loftiest peaks (average height of 6 km).
Composed of granite, perennially snow-bound, contains many glaciers.

Himachal Range

Located south of Himadri, consists of compressed and altered rocks.
Altitude range: 3.7 km to 4.5 km; home to valleys such as Kangra and Kullu.

Shiwaliks Range

Ranges from 0.9 km to 1.1 km in altitude, width 10-50 km.
Composed of unconsolidated sediments; includes valleys like Dehra Dun.

Tallest Peaks of the Himalayas

Mount Everest (8,848 m, Nepal) and Kanchenjunga (8,598 m, India) noted as the highest peaks.

Longitudinal Divisions of the Himalayas

Divided by rivers into Punjab, Kumaon, Nepal, and Assam Himalayas.

Purvachal or Eastern Hills

Eastward of the Brahmaputra, comprising northeastern hills like Manipur, Mizo, and Naga hills.

Introduction to the Northern Plains

Formed by sediment deposition from Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers; covers 700,000 km².
Characterized by alluvial soil and extensive river systems.

Riverine Divisions of the Northern Plains

Three main sections: Punjab plains (Indus region), Ganga plains (Haryana to West Bengal), and Brahmaputra plains (primarily Assam).

Relief Variation Divisions of the Northern Plains

Bhabar: Pebble deposits along Shiwalik slopes.
Terai: Wet, marshy area previously forested.
Bhangar: Largest area with calcareous soil (Kankar).

Introduction to the Peninsular Plateau

Comprises old crystalline and metamorphic rocks, the oldest landmass, originally part of Gondwana.

Central Highlands

North of Narmada River, consisting mainly of the Malwa plateau; influenced by nearby ranges like Vindhyan.

Deccan Plateau

Triangular region south of Narmada, characterized by distinct hill ranges and separation from Chotanagpur plateau.

Ghats of India

Western Ghats: Parallel to western coast, 0.9 km to 1.6 km elevation, rainfall inducing clouds.
Eastern Ghats: Discontinuous, lower elevation (0.6 km), dissected by rivers.

Distinct Features of the Deccan Plateau

Notable for Deccan Trap and black soil of volcanic origin; bordered by Aravali hills.

Indian Desert

Located east of Aravalis, characterized by sandy plains, arid climate, minimal rainfall, and intermittent streams.

Coastal Plains

Surround the peninsular plateau, separated by Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal; notable rivers form deltas.

Islands of India

Two prominent groups: Lakshadweep (southeast, diverse flora and fauna) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (strategically significant).

Resources from Physiographic Features

Mountains offer water and forest resources; northern plains support agriculture; plateaus provide minerals; coastal regions offer fish and ports; diverse physical features foster potential for future development.

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Description

Explore key concepts related to the physical features of India through these flashcards. Learn about tectonic plate movements, the Gondwana land, and their impact on India's geography. Ideal for Class 9 students looking to enhance their understanding of geography.