Chapter 5
Notes
I. Major Landforms
There are three main types of landforms based on elevation: mountains, plateaus, and
plains.
* Mountains: These are high landforms with steep slopes, measuring at least 900 meters
above mean sea level. They often have low population density due to inaccessibility.
* Plateaus: These are extensive flat areas at elevations higher than plains but lower than
mountains.
* Plains: These are flat or low-lying areas, typically at or near sea level. They are often
densely populated due to their suitable conditions for agriculture, transportation, and urban
development.
II. Mountains
Mountains are formed by crustal movements or other surface processes.
Types of Mountains:
* Fold Mountains:
* Formation: Created by large-scale compressional forces in the Earth's crust that cause
the rock strata to fold. The upfolds are called anticlines, and the downfolds are synclines.
* Types:
* Young Fold Mountains: Formed in recent geological time, they are high with steep
slopes and pointed peaks (e.g., Himalayas, Alps, Andes, Rockies).
* Old Fold Mountains: Formed millions of years ago and have been eroded down,
resulting in gentler slopes and rounded peaks (e.g., Urals, Aravallis, Appalachians).
* Block Mountains:
* Formation: Result from faulting in the Earth's crust. They can be formed when a block of
land is pushed upward between faults (reverse fault) or when the land on either side of a
block subsides (normal fault), leaving the central block elevated.
* Examples: The Vosges in France and the Black Forest in Germany.
* Volcanic Mountains:
* Formation: Created by the accumulation and solidification of lava and ash from volcanic
eruptions. They are also known as mountains of accumulation.
* Examples: Mt. Fujiyama in Japan and Mt. Vesuvius in Italy.
* Residual (or Relict) Mountains:
* Formation: These are what remain of older mountains or plateaus that have been
extensively eroded over a long period.
* Examples: The Aravalli Range and the Western Ghats in India.
III. Plateaus
Plateaus are classified based on their formation and physical appearance.
Types of Plateaus:
* Volcanic Plateaus:
* Formation: Built up by layers of lava and ash from volcanic eruptions, often through
fissures in the Earth's crust.
* Examples: Deccan Plateau in India, Colombia-Snake Plateau.
* Intermontane Plateaus:
* Formation: These plateaus are surrounded by mountains and are often formed in
conjunction with fold mountains.
* Example: The Tibetan Plateau, which is the world's highest plateau.
* Piedmont Plateaus:
* Formation: Located between mountains on one side and plains or a sea on the other.
* Examples: The Colorado Plateau in North America and the Patagonia Plateau in South
America.
* Tectonic Plateaus:
* Formation: Created by the uplift of large areas of land due to endogenic forces related to
Earth's movements.
* Examples: The Harz Plateau in Germany and the Chotanagpur Plateau in India.
* Dissected Plateaus:
* Formation: These are older, extensive plateaus that have been eroded by agents like
rivers, glaciers, and wind, often forming features like mesas and buttes.
IV. Plains
Plains are generally categorized as structural, depositional, or erosional.
Types of Plains:
* Structural Plains:
* Formation: Created by the uplift (emergence) or sinking (subsidence) of land due to
internal Earth forces.
* Examples: The Great Plains of the USA and the Central Lowlands of Australia.
* Depositional Plains:
* Formation: Formed by the deposition of materials carried by agents like rivers, wind, and
glaciers.
* Sub-types:
* Alluvial/Flood Plains: Formed by river deposits, creating fertile land (e.g., North Indian
Plains, Nile Delta).
* Coastal Plains: Formed in coastal areas by the action of sea waves or the emergence of
the coastline.
* Loess Plains: Created by the deposition of fine, wind-blown dust called loess (e.g.,
Pampas of Argentina).
* Outwash/Till Plains: Formed from the deposition of materials (moraine) left behind by
glaciers.
* Erosional Plains:
* Formation: Formed by the wearing down of higher landforms by agents of erosion.
* Sub-types:
* Peneplains: "Almost plains" with very gentle slopes, formed by erosion.
* Aeolian Plains (Pediplains): Found in arid regions, created by wind erosion, often
featuring isolated, hard rock hills called inselbergs.
* Glaciated Plains: Land surfaces exposed after the melting of ice sheets, often
characterized by numerous lakes and swamps.
* Karst Plains: Develop in limestone regions where water dissolves the rock, creating
features like sinkholes.