Page 1 - Ch3- sub topic - plateaus & plains-notes

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
SUBJECT- GEOGRAPHY

CLASS-VI
CH-3 LANDFORMS & LIFE SUB TOPIC-2- PLATEAUS & PLAINS

LESSON NOTE

A plateau is an elevated, flat or gently sloping area that rises sharply above the
surrounding land on at least one side. Often referred to as a "tableland," plateaus can
be found on every continent and cover about 18% of the Earth's land surface.

• A plateau may have one or more sides with steep slopes. The height of plateaus
often varies from a few hundred metres to several thousand metres.

• Plateaus, like mountains, may be young or old. The Deccan plateau in India is
one of the oldest plateaus. The Tibet plateau is the highest plateau in the world.

Plateaus are primarily formed through:

• Volcanic Activity: Lava flows accumulate over time, creating extensive flat
surfaces.

• Tectonic Movements: Crustal uplift due to the collision of tectonic plates leads
to the formation of plateaus.

• Erosion: Over time, erosion can carve out plateaus from existing landforms,
leading to dissected terrains.

USEFULNESS:

• They are rich in mineral deposits.

• The African plateau is famous for gold and diamond mining.
• coal and manganese are found in the Chhota Nagpur plateau.

• several waterfalls as the river falls from a great height.

• The lava plateaus are rich in black soil that are fertile and good for cultivation.

• Many plateaus have scenic spots and are of great attraction to tourists.

Plateaus in India

• Deccan Plateau: One of the oldest plateaus, rich in minerals and black soil.

• Chhota Nagpur Plateau: Known for its iron ore, coal, and manganese deposits.