PHYSICAL FEATURES OF SOUTH ASIA

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF SOUTH ASIA : PHYSICAL FEATURES OF SOUTH ASIA PHYSICAL DIVISIONS: 1)Northern Mtn wall. 2)Great Plains (Indus/Ganga) 3)The Peninsular Plateau. 4)The Coastal Plains 5)The Islands.

NORTHERN MOUNTAIN WALL : NORTHERN MOUNTAIN WALL Constitute of young fold mtns. Extend in a continuous chain along the Nn boundary of India including Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.

NORTHERN MOUNTAIN WALL : NORTHERN MOUNTAIN WALL Sub divisions: The Trans Himalayas or N.W Range The Himalayas Purvanchal or N.E Himalayan Range.

TRANS HIMALAYAS/N.W RANGE : TRANS HIMALAYAS/N.W RANGE Series of mountain ranges radiates from Pamir Knot (Roof of the World) Hindukush towards S.W, Kunlun – East, Karokoram – S.E, Ladakh and Zaskar as parallel range form Great Nn wall. Sulaiman range on W runs along the border of Indian Subcontinent. All ranges converge @ Quetta.

TRANS HIMALAYAS/N.W RANGE : TRANS HIMALAYAS/N.W RANGE Sulaiman run N-S, then takes U turn at Sibi & continues as Makran and Kirthar Range. Kirthar Range separates Sind plains from Baluchistan Plateau. N.Wn ranges are dry & devoid of Vegetation Important passes: Khyber, Bolan,Gomal.

THE HIMALAYAS (Abode of Snow) : THE HIMALAYAS (Abode of Snow) Runs from Kashmir to Assam. Youngest fold mountain. Has highest peaks of the world. Nangaparbat lies Wn end and Namchabarwa lies at En end. Length – 2400km, Width – 240 to 320km.

THE HIMALAYAS : THE HIMALAYAS Sub divisions: Himadri – Greater or Inner Himalayas. Middle or Lesser Himalayas. Shiwaliks or Outer Himalayas.

THE HIMALAYAS : THE HIMALAYAS HIMADRI: Innermost, continuous & loftiest himalayas. Has many high peaks viz., Mt.Everest(8848m) Kanchenjunga(8598m), Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Nangaparbat, Annapoorna– all above 8000m. Snow covered round the year Has no. of glaciers. Siachen is largest glacier Many passes: Burzil, Zojila, Shipkila, Nathula, Barachala etc.,

THE HIMALAYAS : THE HIMALAYAS Middle Or Lesser Himalayas: Lies south of Himadri Height 3500 – 4500 mts Width 60 – 80 km. Also known as Himachal – ranges include Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar, Mussoorie, Mahabarat lekh etc., Between Pir Panjal and westerly range of Himalaya lies Kashmir valley. Other valleys : Kangra, Kullu, Chandra etc., Important Hill Stations : Shimla, Chail Mussorie Nainital, Raniket, Darjeeling.

THE HIMALAYAS : THE HIMALAYAS Shiwalik Range: Also known as outer Himalayas. Outer most range or foot hills of Himalayas. Are youngest range. Length 2400 km, Width 50 km in Himachal and <15 km in Arunachal. Altitude 600-1500 m. Known by different names – Jammu Hills in Jammu Dafla Miri and Mishmi in Arunachal Pradesh.

THE HIMALAYAS : THE HIMALAYAS After river cuts through Shiwaliks, they form ‘Doons’ flat floored structured valleys. Eg. Dehra Dun. Others Kota, Patli, chaukamba. En part of shiwaliks are covered with thick forests. Forest cover becomes thin towards West. Sn slopes are devoid of vegetation.

THE HIMALAYAS : THE HIMALAYAS Dissected by several seasonal stream called chos in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

PURAVANCHAL : PURAVANCHAL Beyond Brahmaputra gorge, also known as Dihang gorge. Himalayas turn south wards forming Purvanchal or EnHimalayas runs through Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram. Western slopes are highly dissected and arcuate (bent like bow).

PURAVANCHAL : PURAVANCHAL Not so high as Himalayas. But are covered with dense forest. Known with different names: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Mizo hills, Manipur hills. Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills form southern edge of Meghalaya Plateau.

LONGITUDINAL CLASSIFICATION OF HIMALAYAS : LONGITUDINAL CLASSIFICATION OF HIMALAYAS Kashmir Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir. Punjab Himalayas – extend westward of Satluj. Kumaon Himalayas – east of Satluj to river Kali. Nepal Himalayas – River Kali to river Tista. Assam Himalayas – River Tista to Brahmaputra valley.

Significance of Himalayas : Significance of Himalayas Natural Frontier: Prevents Foreign Invasion. Climatic Barrier : Prevents cold wind from Central Asia. Obstructs rain bearing winds, south west monsoon and cause heavy rain fall . Slopes have thick forests and variety of animals.

Significance of Himalayas : Significance of Himalayas Source of Great Perennial rivers. Store house of minerals. Potential Hydro Power regions. Has many hill station with scenic beauty. Lower slopes provide rich pasture for sheep and goat. Lots of Pilgrimage centers:Kailash, Amarnath, Kedarnath, Badrinath etc.,

GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA : GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA One of the most extensive fertile plains in the World. Lies b/w Himalayas and Peninsular Plateau Aggradational plain formed by depostional work of Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra rivers. Also known as Indo – gangetic – Brahmaputra plain. Largest alluvial tract.

GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA : GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA Length 3200 km (Indus to Ganga), 2400 km in India. Width 150 – 300 km. Average elevation 200 – 290 m and Depth 1300 – 1400 mts.

GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA : GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA Formed by filling up of depression b/w Himalayas and Peninsula plateau by rivers. Great Plain represents the infilling of trough by depositional work of rivers in Mts. Geologically most of the part of the plains are Pleistocene and recent formation.

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN : GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN Various geomorphologic features can be noticed: BHABAR TERAI BHANKAR KHADAR

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN : GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN BHABAR: Narrow belt of 8 – 16 km, along foot of Siwaliks. Rivers descending from Himalayas deposit load in foot hills in the form of alluvial fans. These are made of gravel and unassorted sediments called Bhabar. Porosity is high that many streams sink and flow underground.

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN : GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN TERAI: 15 – 30 km marshy tract S of Bhabar. Marked by re emergence Underground Streams. These stream convert large area into ill drained marshy land of excessive dampness covered with thick forests.

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN : GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN BHANKAR : Composed of old alluvial and forms alluvial terrace above the level of flood plain. Has irregular limy concretions in subsoil zones called kankar. In drier areas – patches of saline efflorescence called Kallar or Reh Often impregnated with calcareous concretion called Khankar

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN : GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAIN KHADAR: Composed of newer alluvium, forms the flood plains. New layer is deposited every year. Deposits are confined in the vicinity of river channels.

REGIONAL DIVISION OFGREAT PLAINS OF INDIA : REGIONAL DIVISION OFGREAT PLAINS OF INDIA According to Morpholgy: The Rajasthan Plain The Indus Punjab – Haryana Plain The Ganga Plain The Brahmaputra Plain

THE RAJASTHAN PLAIN : THE RAJASTHAN PLAIN Extensively sandy desert in N.Wn India &En Pakistan. Also called Great Indian desert (Marusthali) or Thar Desert. Bounded by Sutlej in N.W, Aravallis in E, Rann of Kutch in S, Indus valley in W. Rajasthan occupies largest part. Terrain mainly consist of rolling sand hills with rock outcrop.

THE RAJASTHAN PLAIN : THE RAJASTHAN PLAIN En part of marusthali is rocky, Wn part covered with shifting dunes locally called “Dhrian’. En part upto Aravalli is semi arid plain called Rajasthan Bagar. Bagar has some fertile tracts called Rohi. The tract N of Luni is Known as Thali or sandy plain Several salt lakes: Sambar, Didwana, Degana Kuchman etc., Sambar is the largest – 225 sqkm

THE INDUS PUNJAB – HARYANA PLAIN : THE INDUS PUNJAB – HARYANA PLAIN Length – 640km. N.W to S.E direction. 300km wide in E.W direction.1.75lakh km2 fertile plain area. Formed as a result of alluvial deposit of five rivers viz.. Jhelum, Satluj, Chenab, Beas, Ravi. Known as Punjab Plain. Primarily made of Doabs – land between two rivers

THE INDUS PUNJAB – HARYANA PLAIN : THE INDUS PUNJAB – HARYANA PLAIN River course have carved for themselves broad flood plains of Khadar known as Dhaya. Khadar belt liable to flooding is agriculturally valuable. Various doabs: Bist doab, Rachna doab, Upper Bari doab etc. Near Shiwalik are eroded by numerous streams called chos. Area between Ghaggar and Yamuna river is called ‘Haryana Tract’.

GANGA PLAIN : GANGA PLAIN Largest unit of Great Plain of India from Delhi to Kolkata. Area 3.75 Lakh km2. Formed by deposition work of Ganga and its tributaries. Subdivided into (i) Upper Ganga Plain. (ii) Middle Ganga Plain (iii) Lower Ganga Plain

GANGA PLAIN : GANGA PLAIN Low lying depression on either side of rivers get flooded during season. There is a network of sandbanks, Mudflats, Mangrove swamps and islands. Sunderban delta is biggest delta in the world.

THE BRAHMAPUTRA PLAIN : THE BRAHMAPUTRA PLAIN Also known as Brahmaputra valley/Assam valley/ Assam Plain. Surrounded by En Himalayas in N,Naga hills in E, Garo, Khasi & Jaintia in S. Area – 56000km2 Large marshy tracks are found Terai or semi terai conditions prevails.

IMPORTANCE OF GREAT PLAINS : IMPORTANCE OF GREAT PLAINS With fertile alluvial soils, flat surface, perennial river, its of great significance. Varieties of crops are grown. Home of half of the Indian population. Has encouraged development of transport and communication.

IMPORTANCE OF GREAT PLAINS : IMPORTANCE OF GREAT PLAINS Social, political and religious significance. Large pilgrim centres. Haridwar, Varnasi etc.,

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Largest physiographic unit Lies South of Great of Great Plains Oldest landmass Area 16lakh km2, height – 300 to 1000m. Made of old crystalline rocks. Boundary: N.W – Aravalli, N & N.E – Chottanagpur plateau & Rajmahal hills, Wn & En Ghats in Wn & En side.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Divisions: 1.The Marwar upland 2.The Central High land. 3.The Malwa Plateau. 4.The Bundelkhand upland. 5. The Bhagelkhand. 6. The Chotanagpur Plateau. 7. Meghalaya Plateau. 8. The Deccan Plateau.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU The Marwar Upland: Lies to the East of Aravalli. Also called upland of the En Rajasthan. Made up of sandstone, shales and limestone. Area has been carved into rolling plain by River Banas and its tributaries.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU The Central Highland: Also known as Madhya Bharat Pathar Comprises of basin of chambal river. Open rolling plateau of old rock and hills of sandstones. Ravines or badlands of chambal is found in North.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Bundelkhand Upland : Old dissected upland. Comprises Granite and gneiss. Located between central Highland and Vindhyan scarp. It is undulating area.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Malwa Plateau : Forms triangle based Vindhyan Hills. Aravallis in West and Scarp of Bundelkhand in East. Chambal, Kali, Sindh drains here. Bhagelkhand : Located in East of Maikal range. Made of limestone, sandstone on West and Granite in East. Central part act as water divide between Son river and Mahanadi system.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Chotanagpur Plateau : Represents North East projection of Indian Peninsula. Gondwana coal fields are found. Rajmahal Hills are made of basalt. Meghalaya Plateau : Extension of peninsular plateau in North East beyond Rajkamal Hills. Form rectangular block. Also known as Shillong Plateau.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Deccan Plateau : Largest unit of peninsular plateau. 5 lakh km2. Triangular plateau. Boundary – Vindyas North West, Mohadeo and Maikal in North, Mahanadi in West, En ghat in East. General slope West to East. Important rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, kaveri.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU : THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU Subdivision : Maharastra Plateau, Karnataka Plateau/ Mysore Plateau Telengana Plateau consisting of Archean gneisses. Chattisgarh Plain: only significant plain in Peninsula Plateau. Contains beds of limestone & shales deposited during Cuddappah Age.

HILL RANGES OF THE PENINSULA : HILL RANGES OF THE PENINSULA ARAVALLIS VINDHYAS SATPURAS WESTERN AND EASTERN GHATS

ARAVALLIS : ARAVALLIS Extends N.E to S.W. Length 800km between Delhi Ridge and Palanpur (Gujarat). Remenant of one of the oldest fold mountain. Made of quartzite, gneiss & schist. Gurushikar(1772m) is highest peak in Abu hills.

VINDHYAN RANGE : VINDHYAN RANGE An Escarpment of Narmada Rift Valley. Length 1200km, Height – 700m. Acts as watershed between Ganga and S.Indian River systems. Extends eastward as Kaimur range.

SATPURA RANGE : SATPURA RANGE Lies between rift valley of Narmada and Tapi. Satpura (Sanskrit) means Seven Mountains. Composed of basaltic rocks. En part of range is called Maikala range. Extends from Rajpipla (Maharashtra) in W to Amarkantak Range in E.

WESTERN GHATS : WESTERN GHATS Runs N-S, parallel to Arabian sea coast. Also known as Shayadris. Runs from Tapti valley to Kanyakumari. Length–1600km, Average height-1200m Steep slope towards W and Gentle towards E. Continuity is broken by Borghat, Thalghat and Palghat gaps.

WESTERN GHATS : WESTERN GHATS Nn part consist of basalt. Sn part – granite, gneiss and schist. Anaimudi (2695m) highest peak in S.India. Plani hills, Anamalai and Cardomom hills radiate from here. Famous hill stations: Ooty, Kodaikanal.

EASTERN GHATS : EASTERN GHATS Extends from Mahanadi valley towards Nilgiris. Are remenants of old fold mountains. Are discontinuous ranges. Composed of charnokite, quartzite and slate. Length 800km, Height – 1100m.

EASTERN GHATS : EASTERN GHATS Ranges: Nallamalai Velikonda Shervaroys Javadis Pachmalai Gondumalai Biligiranga hills Mahadeshwara hills Highest peak – Armakinda (1680m) in A.P, Mahendragiri (orissa).

SIGNIFICANCE OF PENINSULA PLATEAU : SIGNIFICANCE OF PENINSULA PLATEAU Oldest and stable landmass Contains rich minerals 98% of Gondwana coal is found here. Rich is Biodiversity. Wn helps in Monsoonal Rainfall. Great potential of H.E.P Well known for hill resorts – Ooty, Kodaikanal, Mt. Abu etc., Has fertile Black soil – helps in cultivation of varieties of crops.

COASTAL PLAINS : COASTAL PLAINS Mainland of India has 6100km length of coastline. Extends from Rann of Kachchh in W to Ganga Brahmaputra delta in E. Divisions: West Coastal Plain. East Coastal Plain.

WEST COASTAL PLAIN : WEST COASTAL PLAIN lies between Wn Ghats and Arabian sea. Stretches from Rann of Kachchh in N to Kanniyakumari in S. Narrow, steep and rocky surface. Wide 50 – 60km.

WEST COASTAL PLAIN : WEST COASTAL PLAIN Subdivisions: a. The Kachchh peninsula b. The Kathiawar Peninsula c. The Gujarath Plain d. The Konkan Plain. e. The Karnataka coastal Plain. f. Kerala Plain/Malabar coast.

East Coastal Plain : East Coastal Plain Also known as Payan Ghat. It stretches from mouth of subarnarekha to Kanyakumari. Broader than West coast.100-125 kms Many rivers have formed deltas referred as Northern Circar between Mahanadi and Krishna rivers, and Coramandel coast south of Krishna.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PLAINS : SIGNIFICANCE OF PLAINS It has number of big and small ports which help in trade. Large part is of fertile soil helpful for crop cultivation. Backwaters and lagoons are useful for navigation. Fishing is important occupation. Low laying coastal plains are famous for salt production. Malabar coast sand is rich in Monazite. Beautiful Beaches attract tourists.

THE ISLANDS : THE ISLANDS Three groups of Island in South Asia. 1. Continental Island – Sri lanka. 2. Andaman and Nicobar Island of Bay of Bengal. 3. Lakshadweep and Maldive islands of Arabian sea and Indian Oceans.

THE ISLANDS : THE ISLANDS Srilanka was part of Peninsula India and got separated. Continental in origin. Has South Central Highlands surrounded by low lands. Highest point is Pidurutagala(2527m) Also known as Pedro point.

THE ISLANDS : THE ISLANDS Andaman and Nicobar Island(8249km2) : Are elevated part of submarine ridges of Arakan Yoma Mountain. Highly dissected. surrounded by coral reefs. Barren and Narcondam are volcanic islands. Barren is active volcano.

THE ISLANDS : THE ISLANDS Lakshadweep Islands: Coral origin, Surrounded by Fringing reef. Area 32 km2. Maldives Island: Consists more than 1200 small coral islands grouped in 19 atoll. Area 298 km2