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Difficulty: HardPhysiography and Relief Features of India

Consider the following statements regarding the physiographic and relief features of Peninsular India:

1. The Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateaus are structural extensions of the Peninsular Block separated from the Chota Nagpur Plateau by the Malda Fault.
2. The Western Ghats form a comparatively continuous relief wall created along a rifted continental margin, whereas the Eastern Ghats consist of highly dissected residual hills breached by major rivers.
3. Dodabetta, situated in the Anaimalai Hills, is the highest peak of the Peninsular Plateau.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

The correct option is the one stating that statements 1 and 2 only are correct.
The Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateaus are indeed northeastern outliers of the Peninsular Block detached by the Malda (Garo-Rajmahal) fault gap. Furthermore, the Western Ghats represent a continuous relief wall along a rifted margin, whereas the Eastern Ghats are non-continuous and eroded by major east-flowing rivers. The statement regarding Dodabetta is false because Anamudi (2,695 m2,695\text{ m}) in the Anaimalai Hills is the highest peak of the Peninsular Plateau, while Dodabetta (2,637 m2,637\text{ m}) lies in the Nilgiri Hills.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding northeastern plateau extensions
The Meghalaya Plateau and Karbi Anglong Plateau are structurally part of the main Peninsular Plateau. A major fault (Malda Gap/Garo-Rajmahal Gap) created during the Indian plate movement separated them from the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
Geological origin and faulting separate the northeastern plateau from the central Peninsular block.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding relief characteristics of Western and Eastern Ghats
The Western Ghats are continuous tectonic relief features along the submerged fault margin of the Arabian Sea. The Eastern Ghats are older, discontinuous, highly denuded residual mountain ranges cut through by rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
Comparative geomorphology of the coastal mountain rims of India.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding peak elevations and locations
Anamudi (2,695 m2,695\text{ m}) is the highest peak of the Peninsular Plateau and is situated in the Anaimalai Hills. Dodabetta (2,637 m2,637\text{ m}) is the second highest peak and is located in the Nilgiri Hills. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.
Verification of mountain peak spatial locations and elevations.

Key Concept

Peninsular Plateau Physiography & Relief Variations
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Topics

Physiography and Relief Features of India

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