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Formation of Landforms

A landform is a natural feature formed on the surface of the Earth.


Landforms are formed because of the following reasons:
Plate Tectonics
 The lithosphere is broken into several small and big plates which
float on the partially molten asthenosphere. These plates may collide
or push each other.
 Orogenic movements are responsible for the formation of the fold
mountains.
 When the deposits of the sedimentary rocks lying between the
two plates get compressed because of the movement of the tectonic
plates, it results in folding of the rocks.
 Fold mountains such as the Himalayas and the Alps have been
formed in this way.

Upliftment and Submergence


 When the vertical movements or the epeirogenic movements
occurring inside the Earth along the radius from the Earth’s centre to
the surface take place, it causes either the submergence or the
upliftment of land.
 Such movements occur because of faulting. Block mountains, rift
valleys and basins are formed as a result of faulting.

Sudden Force
 Volcanic activities and earthquakes are described as sudden
forces. Sudden forces are also known as ‘constructive forces’ as they
form various relief features on the surface of the Earth.
 For example, volcanic mountains and plateaus are formed by
volcanic activities and lakes may be formed as a result of
earthquakes.

Exogenic Forces
 Folding and faulting are caused by endogenic movements
(movements taking place under the surface of the Earth). Exogenic
movements occur on the surface of the Earth.
 Rivers, glaciers and winds are the exogenic forces resulting in the
creation of landforms by erosion and depositional activities.
 Exogenic forces are also known as ‘destructive forces’ as they cause
widespread destruction of landforms through weathering and
erosion.

Various Types of Landforms


There are five major types of landforms—mountains, plateaus,
plains, valleys and basins.
Mountains
There are three types of mountains—fold mountains, block
mountains and volcanic mountains.
Fold Mountains
 Fold mountains are caused by large-scale movements taking place
inside the Earth’s crust. These movements are caused by various
factors such as the movements in the mantle and the expansion and
contraction of some parts of the Earth. These are horizontal
movements.
 Fold mountains are formed when two tectonic plates move
towards each other leading to the folding of the layers of the Earth.
The up folds are called anticlines and the down folds are called
synclines.
 Examples: Himalayas in Asia, Andes in South America, Alps in
Europe

Chief characteristics of fold mountains:


 Fold mountains are some of the youngest mountains of the Earth.
 Most of the fold mountains are formed of sedimentary rocks.
These sedimentary rocks were formed because of the deposition and
collection of sediments in shallow oceans such as the Tethys (a
hollow depression from where the Himalayas have emerged).
 Fold mountains are greater in length but comparatively smaller in
width.  Fold mountains are associated with volcanic activities as
they have many active volcanoes
.  Many islands existing on the surface of the Earth such as the West
Indies are the top surface of many fold mountains which exist under
the seas. Block Mountains
 Block mountains are formed because of faulting. Block mountains
are formed when two tectonic plates move away from each other
causing cracks on the surface of the Earth.
 When parallel cracks or faults occur, the strip of land or the block
of land between them may be raised resulting in the formation of
block mountains. The upward block is called a horst. Examples: Black
forest and Vosges of Rhineland
 Block mountains are also formed when the crust of the Earth sinks
on both sides of the two parallel faults. Therefore, a block mountain
can be found between the two rift valleys. The land which sinks is
known as graben. Example: East African rift valleys Volcanic
Mountains F ormation of b lock mountains
 Volcanic mountains are formed by volcanic eruptions. It occurs
when molten rock or magma under the surface of the Earth erupts.
 Magma which flows out on the Earth’s surface is called lava. The
accumulation of lava and its subsequent cooling results in the
building of a volcanic mountain.
 Examples: Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Fiji in Japan

Plateaus
An elevated flat piece of land is known as plateau. The upper part of
the plateau is usually flat and is known as tableland. There are four
main types of plateaus.
These are Intermontane plateaus: Plateaus which are surrounded by
hills and mountains from all sides are known as intermontane
plateaus. Examples: Tibetan Plateau (highest plateau in the world),
Columbian Plateau

Piedmont Plateau: These plateaus are surrounded by mountain


ranges on one side and plains on the other side. These are also called
residual plateaus. Examples: Patagonian Plateau, Appalachian
Plateau

Volcanic Plateau: These are formed as a result of the flow of lava


from volcanoes. Examples: Deccan Plateau, Ethiopian Plateau
Uplifted Plateau: During volcanic activity, when the middle portion of
the landmass gets elevated and has rounded sides, it is called an
uplifted plateau. Examples: Chotanagpur Plateau, Ozark Plateau in
USA
Plains

Plains are large pieces of flat land. They have a gentle undulating
surface. There are three types of plains. These are
Structural Plains: Plains which are formed because of the upliftment
and submergence of lands are known as structural plains. Examples:
Great Plains of USA, Coromandel Plains in India

Erosional Plains: These plains are formed by the agents of erosion.


They may be formed when hills are eroded and worn down. These
are known as peneplains. Example: Niagara Plain in USA Many plains
are also formed because of erosional activities of winds and glaciers.

Depositional Plains: Plains formed because of the depositional


activities of rivers and winds are known as depositional plains. The
Great Indian Plains and the Mississippi Plains in USA have been
formed by the depositional activities of the Ganga and Mississippi
rivers, respectively. Plains such as the Thar Desert and the Sahara
Desert have been formed by the deposition of wind. Many plains are
also formed because of marine deposition. Example: East coast of
India
Valleys and Basins
Valleys are formed because of both tectonic and erosional forces.
The Rift Valley of East Africa has been formed by tectonic forces,
while the Ganga Brahmaputra Valley is an example of a valley
formed by erosional forces. A basin is formed because of the
depositional activities of a river.
Importance of Landforms
 Landforms form the relief features of the Earth and influence the
climatic conditions of the regions in which they are located; for
example, the Himalayas influence the climate of northern India.
 Many snow-capped mountains are the sources of the perennial
rivers.
 Slopes of mountains are covered with thick forests and thus
maintain biodiversity on the Earth.
 Plateaus are the sources of various minerals.
 The lava plateaus formed by volcanic eruptions have black soil,
which is suitable for cultivation.
 Many ancient civilisations developed on river banks. Plains have
extremely fertile soil and support agricultural activities.
 Landforms such as mountains, valleys and plateaus have many
scenic spots which greatly attract tourists.
Maps

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