Plateaus

PLATEAU

1. Plateaus

2. What is a plateau? A plateau is also called as a high plain or a table land. It is an area of high land with a flat terrain with one or more steep sides. Example: Deccan plateau in India andTibet plateau.

3. Characteristics of plateaus A plateau is a broad raised land above the neighbouring lowland. The surface is not always smooth. They are u suitable for agriculture but they are rich in minerals. The Tibetan plateau is the’ Roof of the world.’

4. Types of plateaus 1. Intermontane plateaus. 2. Dissected plateaus. 3. Piedmont plateaus. 4. Volcanic plateaus.

5. Intermontane plateaus They are situated between two or more mountain ranges. Example : Tibetan plateau lies between the Himalayas and Kunlun mountains.

6. Dissected plateaus When running water or streams cut enough deep valleys in different parts of a plateau it becomes a dissected plateau. Mesas in Spain is of this type.

7. Piedmont plateaus They are surrounded by mountains ranges on one side and bounded by plain or an ocean or a sea on the opposite side. Example Applacian plateau in USA.

8. Volcanic plateaus They are formed due to volcanic eruption through wide narrow cracks. The flows and spreads like an horizontal sheet. Example Deccan plateau in India.

9. Advantages of plateaus Plateaus are not much fertile and are not fit for farming. But they are useful for cattle rearing. Wherever soil is fertile agriculture is practised.

10. They are rich in minerals and hence develops mining industries. Chotanagpur plateau in India yields iron, copper, mica and other minerals.

11. Homework 1. Differentiate between intermontane and piedmont plateau. 2. Write the advantages of a plateau. 3. What are the characteristics of plateau? 4. Give reason: Tibetan plateau is an intermontane plateau.