MAJOR LANDFORMS OF THE EARTH

Forces that lead to change

• Movement of the Tectonic Plates

• Earthquakes, Volcanoes & LandslidesINTERNAL

• Slow and steady changes• Erosion of mountains &

highlands due to rain, wind & riversEXTERNAL

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LANDFORMS

Mountain

Plateau

Plain

MOUNTAINS FOLD MOUNTAINS: formed by the

upliftment & folding of land masses due to lateral compression caused by internal forces.

BLOCK MOUNTAINS: formed by the faults on the Earth’s surface caused by the divergent movement of tectonic plates.

VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS: A conical structure formed as a result of magma escaping to the surface of the Earth through an opening called the Vent.

IMPORTANCE OF MOUNTAINS

They influence the climate of the land.

Rivers originate from mountain glaciers.

Fresh water lakes & springs found in mountains act as reservoirs of water.

They are rich in flora & fauna. Mountains & their picturesque

valleys encourage tourism.

PLATEAUS

Intermontane

Surrounded completely or partially by

mountains.

E.g. Plateau of Tibet

Continental

Vast area of tableland that rise abruptly from coast or

surrounding plains.

E.g. Plateaus of Africa

Lava Plateaus: formed when lava flows out of fissures & spreads thickly over an extensive area. E.g. Deccan Plateau

IMPORTANCE OF PLATEAUS

Lava plateaus are very fertile for cultivation of crops as they are largely composed of black soil.

Most plateaus have rich deposits of minerals.

Many rivers flowing along plateau falls from a great height when they flow across the escarpments forming waterfalls.

PLAINS

A low lying , vast flat land is called a Plain.

Generally at 200 m above sea level. They consist of alluvial soil. They are densely populated.

Why Plains are densely populated

Usually water is abundant. Land being flat & fertile enables

cultivation of crops. Possible to build an excellent network of

roads & railways.