Which are the major physiographic division of india contrast the relief of the himalayan region with that of the peninsular plateau

General
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which are the major physiographic division of india contrast the relief of the himalayan region with that of the peninsular plateau

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Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular Plateau

Answer:
India, with its diverse topography, is divided into several major physiographic divisions. These divisions represent the broad patterns of relief and structural features and encompass various landscapes from towering mountain ranges to extensive plateaus. Let’s explore these divisions along with a detailed comparison between the Himalayan region and the Peninsular Plateau.

Major Physiographic Divisions of India

India’s physiographic divisions can be broadly classified into the following regions:

  1. The Northern Mountains:

    • The Himalayas.
    • The Trans-Himalayan regions.

  2. The Northern Plains:

    • The Indo-Gangetic plains which include the Punjab Plains, the Ganga Plains, and the Brahmaputra Plains.

  3. The Peninsular Plateau:

    • The Deccan Plateau.
    • The Central Highlands.

  4. The Indian Desert:

    • The Thar Desert.

  5. The Coastal Plains:

    • The Western Coastal Plains.
    • The Eastern Coastal Plains.

  6. The Islands:

    • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    • The Lakshadweep Islands.

Contrast Between the Himalayan Region and the Peninsular Plateau

1. Formation and Age:

  • Himalayan Region: The Himalayas are relatively young fold mountains formed about 50 million years ago due to the collision of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates. They are characterized by ongoing geological processes.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest and most stable landmasses in India, formed during the Precambrian era. It has experienced numerous geological processes over billions of years, resulting in a stable structure.

2. Relief and Topography:

  • Himalayan Region: The Himalayas exhibit a rugged and high-altitude topography with sharp-edged peaks, deep valleys, and substantial glaciation. They have the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The plateau is characterized by a more subdued relief with rolling hills, broad valleys, and extensive plateaus. Important features include the Western and Eastern Ghats along the coasts and the central Deccan Plateau.

3. Elevation:

  • Himalayan Region: The elevation ranges drastically from less than 1,000 meters in the foothills to over 8,000 meters in the high peaks.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The elevation ranges from about 300 meters to 900 meters above sea level, with some peaks in the Western Ghats reaching over 2,600 meters.

4. Geological Structure:

  • Himalayan Region: The geological structure is complex with multiple folds, thrusts, and faults due to tectonic activity. It includes sedimentary rocks, mainly formed from marine deposits.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The region is composed mainly of igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite and basalt. It also includes Precambrian sedimentary rocks.

5. Seismic Activity:

  • Himalayan Region: The region is seismically active and prone to earthquakes due to the ongoing tectonic movement between continental plates.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The plateau is relatively stable with minimal seismic activity compared to the Himalayan region.

6. Drainage Patterns:

  • Himalayan Region: The Himalayas are the source of major perennial rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and Indus, which have a radial drainage pattern influenced by the varied topography.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The plateau has both perennial and non-perennial rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery, which often flow along fault lines and exhibit a dendritic or trellis drainage pattern.

7. Climate Impact:

  • Himalayan Region: The climate varies from subtropical in the foothills to alpine in the higher altitudes. It plays a major role in influencing the monsoon and climatic patterns of the Indian subcontinent.
  • Peninsular Plateau: The region experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The Western Ghats act as significant barriers influencing the monsoon rains on the west coast.

Final Answer:

The major physiographic divisions of India are the Northern Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands. The Himalayan region and the Peninsular Plateau contrast significantly in terms of their formation, age, relief, geological structure, seismic activity, drainage patterns, and climatic impacts. The Himalayas are young, high, and geologically active fold mountains, whereas the Peninsular Plateau is an ancient, stable, and elevated landmass with subdued topography.