Various Landforms
“Landforms are natural features formed by internal and external forces acting on the Earth's surface.”
Major Landforms
- Mountains: Elevated parts of the Earth's crust with steep slopes and peaks.
- Plateaus: Flat-topped highlands that rise above surrounding areas.
- Plains: Extensive flat or gently rolling lands with low elevation.
- Grasslands: Vast regions dominated by grasses, found in both temperate and tropical regions.
Mountains
Types of Mountains:
- Fold Mountains: Formed due to the folding of Earth's crust (e.g., Himalayas, Alps).
- Block Mountains: Formed by faulting and uplifting blocks (e.g., Sierra Nevada).
- Volcanic Mountains: Formed by volcanic eruptions (e.g., Mount Fuji, Mount Kilimanjaro).
Importance: Source of rivers, biodiversity hotspots, tourism, natural barrier.
Plateaus
Features: Elevated flat land, often rich in minerals.
- Deccan Plateau – India
- Tibetan Plateau – World’s highest plateau
- Colorado Plateau – USA
Importance: Mining, agriculture, and habitation.
Plains
Features: Low-lying, flat lands, usually formed by river deposition.
- Indo-Gangetic Plains – India
- Great Plains – USA
- Pampas – Argentina
Importance: Fertile soil, dense population, agriculture and transport.
Grasslands
Types of Grasslands:
- Temperate Grasslands: Prairies (USA), Steppes (Eurasia), Pampas (Argentina)
- Tropical Grasslands: Savannas (Africa), Campos (Brazil)
Importance: Grazing for cattle, agriculture, rich biodiversity.
Landforms Comparison
Mountains
- High elevation
- Steep slopes
- Peaks and ridges
Plateaus
- Flat elevated area
- Table-like surface
- Rich in minerals
Plains
- Low elevation
- Fertile and flat
- River basins
Grasslands
- Covered by grasses
- Few trees
- Support grazing
Previous Year Questions
- SSC CHSL 2020: Which is the highest plateau in the world?
- Tibetan Plateau
- RRB NTPC 2019: The Deccan Plateau is located in?
- India
- SSC CGL 2018: Fold Mountains are formed by?
- Crustal folding due to plate movement
- HSSC CET 2022: Which plain is formed by the Indus and Ganga rivers?
- Indo-Gangetic Plain
- SSC GD 2019: Which grassland is found in Africa?
- Savanna
- RRB Group D 2018: The Great Plains of North America are also known as?
- Prairies
- SSC MTS 2017: Which landform is suitable for agriculture and dense population?
- Plains
- HSSC JE 2019: Sierra Nevada is an example of?
- Block Mountain