Plateaus in India: 7 Amazing Types & it's Formation

There are a total of seven plateaus in India the Deccan Plateau, Marwar Plateau, Central Highland, Bundelkhand Upland, Malwa Plateau, Baghelkhand, Chota Nagpur Plateau, Meghalaya Plateau, and Maharashtra Plateau. Plateaus are unique geographical features that cover significant areas of the earth’s surface. People often refer to plateaus as tablelands or mesas, and the collision of two continental plates or volcanic eruptions forms them.

Plateaus Meaning

Plateaus arise from processes of uplift and erosion, gradually raising the land over millions of years while weathering, river systems, and wind modify its surface. The Plateaus feature an elevated, level surface above the surrounding landscape, often spanning from a few square miles to several thousand square miles, and commonly occur adjacent to mountains or highland regions.

A complicated interaction of different elements leads to the creation of plateaus. Some of the contributing factors to the formation of the plateau are volcanic eruptions, tectonic uplifts, and the gradual erosion of rock formations. The earth’s crust rises as a result of these natural events, producing a flat surface at a tremendous height. The earliest forms of mountain ranges create them, and erosion frequently shapes the raised plateaus into distinct mountains and valleys, significantly altering the surrounding terrain. The Asian Himalayas serve as the perfect example of this. Over millions of years, a sequence of plateaus rose to become the mighty mountain range.

How are plateaus formed?

Plateaus are created through a variety of geological processes. One typical method is tectonic uplift. The Earth’s crust is pushed upward, resulting in elevated landforms. Plateaus can also be generated by volcanic activity, in which successive lava eruptions accumulate over time, resulting in a level or gradually sloping surface. Erosion and weathering also contribute to the formation of plateaus. The surrounding lands are gradually eroded by wind, water, and ice, but the elevated plateau remains largely intact.

Types of Plateaus in India

There are two main types of plateaus found in India namely: dissected plateaus and volcanic plateaus.

Geologically speaking, dissected plateaus are formed when eroded by elevated landforms, steep slopes, and deep valleys. These formations are typical in areas with diverse and complicated rock strata, where various materials erode at varying speeds. An example of a dissected plateau is the Chota Nagpur plateau in India.

The second type of plateau is the Volcanic plateau. When hot lava from a volcano flows out, cools down, and solidifies, it forms volcanic plateaus. Multiple eruptions throughout time can combine these formations to create breathtakingly large landscapes. A good example of a volcanic plateau is the Deccan plateau located in India.

Formation of Plateaus

Plateaus, those vast elevated plains, are the product of titanic geological forces working over eons. Here’s a glimpse into the three main ways these majestic landforms come into being:

• Upward Thrust: Tectonic Uplift – Imagine the Earth’s crust being gently pushed upwards by colossal forces within the planet. This tectonic uplift is a common cause of plateaus, creating extensive regions of high ground.
  
• Volcanic Legacy: Layers of Lava – Volcanic activity can also be a sculptor of plateaus. Over time, repeated eruptions pile layer upon layer of lava, gradually building up vast, relatively flat surfaces.
  
• Carving by Nature: Erosion and Weathering – While these processes might seem like they would diminish plateaus, they play a role in their formation. Wind, water, and ice relentlessly wear down the surrounding areas, leaving the more resistant plateau relatively intact, like a giant natural table left behind.

The specific story behind a particular plateau depends on the unique geological history and environmental conditions of its region. Understanding these forces allows us to appreciate the incredible diversity and grandeur of these elevated landscapes.

Features of Plateaus in India

• The Peninsular Plateau is shaped like a triangle.
• Its base aligns with the southern edge of the Great Plain of North India.
• The tip of this triangular plateau is Kanyakumari.
• The plateau covers an area of 1.6 million square kilometers.
• The average height of the plateau is between 600 and 900 meters above sea level.
• Most rivers on this plateau flow from west to east, showing its general slope.
• Some exceptions, like the Narmada and Tapti rivers, flow from east to west.
• This plateau is one of the oldest landforms on Earth.
• It is made up of very stable rocks called Archaean gneisses and schists.
• The plateau includes several smaller plateaus, hill ranges, and valleys with river basins.

Indian Peninsular Plateau

The Indian Peninsular Plateau or प्रायद्वीपीय पठार is a vast tableland, stands as a testament to ancient geological processes. This plateau’s formation intricately links to the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana, primarily composed of hard, crystalline rocks such as igneous and metamorphic.

Distinctive Landscapes:

The plateau’s characteristics include:

• Gentle Slopes and Rounded Hills: Broad, shallow valleys and rounded hills dominate the landscape, creating a sense of rolling plains.

Major Divisions:

Geographically, the plateau can be further divided into two prominent regions:

• Central Highlands: This northern section is known for its older rock formations.
• Deccan Plateau: The southern portion, the Deccan Plateau, is a defining feature of the region.
  

Volcanic Whispers:

Within the Deccan Plateau lies the Deccan Trap, a fascinating geological formation. This area boasts igneous rocks, remnants of ancient volcanic activity that further enrich the plateau’s unique geological story.

Largest Plateau in India

The Deccan Plateau is the largest in the Indian subcontinent. The triangle-shaped plateau spans several states and is located in southern India, which is very unique geographically. This plateau is well-known for its rare variety of flora and wildlife. The Deccan Plateau is one of India’s oldest plateaus and was created by numerous volcanic eruptions.

Lists of Plateaus in India with States

Here is the list of Plateaus in India with states:

Name	States
Deccan Plateau	Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Chota Nagpur Plateau	Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh
Malwa Plateau	Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
Karnataka Plateau	Karnataka
Meghalaya Plateau	Meghalaya, Assam, parts of Nagaland
Bundelkhand Plateau	Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
Marwar Plateau	Rajasthan

Plateaus in India

India is renowned for its stunning plateaus. The Deccan, Mysore, Chota Nagpur, Shillong, and Malwa plateaus are some of the well-known plateaus in India.

Deccan Plateaus in India

The Deccan Plateau, also known as the Peninsular Plateau, lies nestled between the Eastern and Western Ghats. This expansive plateau spans over 580,000 square kilometers and features rocky terrain and dry environmental conditions. Most of the plateau consists of lava flows, which are the remains of volcanic activity that occurred a million years ago.

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Chota Nagpur Plateaus in India

The Chota Nagpur Plateau is a plateau located in eastern India. This plateau includes a large portion of the state of Jharkhand and some portions of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

Malwa Plateaus in India

Hiding in the geographic center of India, the Malwa Plateau is a distinctive terrain, that straddles portions of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, and offers the ideal fusion of local cultures, historical riches, and natural beauty. The Malwa Plateau, which has an average elevation of 500–600 meters, is distinguished by its uneven topography, which includes lakes, hills, woods, and productive farms.

Meghalaya Plateaus in India

Shillong Plateau, a highland region located in northeastern India’s Meghalaya state is one of the important plateaus in India. The highest point of the hill mass that makes up the majority of Meghalaya is a rolling tableland. The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia hills are the names of the slopes on the western, northern, and southern sides of the plateau, respectively. The Shillong Plateau is an isolated portion of the Indian peninsula’s plateau, mainly made up of prehistoric rocks.

Central Highlands Plateaus in India

The Central Highlands plateau is one of the oldest plateaus in the world and encompasses many rivers, hill ranges, and plateaus.

Karbi-Meghalaya Plateaus in India

Northeast India boasts the stunning Karbi Meghalaya plateau. This plateau, which mostly includes Meghalaya and Assam, is home to several indigenous groups, particularly the centuries-old Karbi people. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills border this scenic plateau from the south, and the Eastern Himalayas encircle it from the north.

Shillong Plateaus in India

The Shillong Plateau, also called the Meghalaya Plateau, is in northeast India. This plateau is approximately 300 km long and includes the states of Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya.

Tibetan Plateaus in India

The Tibetan Plateau has a total size of around 2,500,000 square kilometers (965,000 square miles). Animals like snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes, and wild yaks, adapted to living at higher elevations, inhabit this plateau.

Telangana Plateaus in India

The Telangana plateau, a large elevated region that spans the majority of the state of Telangana, is the most famous characteristic of the state. This distinctive geological structure distinguishes itself with its unfettered terrain and several plateaus offering breathtaking views of the surroundings.

Maharashtra Plateaus in India

The Maharashtra plateau is a large region of hills in western India. The plateau boasts a spectacular region and spans over 150,000 square kilometers, encompassing most regions of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Baghelkhands in India

The Baghelkhand plateau is located in the central part of India. This enormous plateau covers 29,000 square kilometers. This plateau is known for its rough topography, steep mountain ranges, and thick forests.

Bhander Plateaus in India

Situated in central India, the Bhander plateau is a natural landscape with an abundance of varied flora and animals. This mountain range is well known for its meadows, sloppy terrain, and streams.

Mysore plateaus in India

The Mysore plateau passes through Bangalore, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Hassan, and Chikmagalur districts and includes some portions of the southern region of Karnataka. This plateau has everything, from beautiful temples to uneven slopes.

Mascarene Plateaus in India

The Mascarene plateau is an old landmass that was left behind when the Indian subcontinent broke apart from Madagascar around 80 million years ago. The Mascarene plateau is an interesting geological feature located beneath the Indian Ocean. The average depth of this 115,000 square-kilometer underwater plateau is 1,200 meters above the ocean level.

Kerguelen Plateaus in India

The Kerguelen Plateau is a type of volcanic plateau, located roughly 3,000 kilometers to the southwest of Fremantle in Western Australia.

Katanga Plateaus in India

The Katanga plateau is situated in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The plateau is a widespread, naturally formed plateau. The plateau’s valleys, mountains, and greenery, create an amazing landscape that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Anatolian Plateaus in India

The Anatolian Plateau is a rectangular plateau located in Turkey. Most of the plateau is dry and consists of desert soil and black soil.

Bundelkhand

The Bundelkhand Plateau lies sandwiched between a part of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It spans approximately 70,000 square kilometers and consists mostly of granite buildup.

Karnataka Plateaus in India

The Karnataka plateau is one of the most important plateaus in southern India. Nestling in the state of Karnataka, this plateau has earned renown for its dense forests and steep hills, offering a diverse range of landscapes.

Kolar Plateau

The Kolar Plateau is an important plateau located in India. The Kolar Plateau, renowned for its rich mineral resources and diverse habitat, sits in Karnataka.

Marwar Plateau

Tucked away in the center of Rajasthan lies the Marwar plateau, a stunning geological land known for its vibrant hues and magnificent sandstone structures. This beautiful landscape spreads across 200,000 square kilometers.

Causes of Plateau Formation

A plateau is caused by different natural processes that shape the Earth’s surface. Here are some simple explanations:

• Volcanic Activity: Forms when hot lava from a volcano spreads and cools, leaving a flat surface.
• Erosion: The gradual erosion of land by wind, water, or ice changes the ground into a flat and elevated surface.
• Tectonic motions: The Earth’s crustal motions uplift land, forming a high, flat zone known as a plateau.
• Dissected by Rivers: Rivers and streams carved deep valleys into elevated ground, resulting in a dissected plateau.
• Lava Flow: When lava flows out, it cools and solidifies, resulting in a level and raised terrain.
• Glacial Activity: During ice ages, glaciers cover enormous areas; as they recede, they leave behind level ground, establishing an interglacial plateau.

Conclusion

Indian plateaus provide rich mineral resources and fertile areas for agriculture, contributing considerably to India’s economy and forming a crucial part of the country’s geographical structure. Every Indian plateau has a distinct ecological and cultural importance, supporting people, animals, and plants.

Plateaus in India: FAQs