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Difficulty: Very hardPhysiography and Relief Features of India

With reference to the physiographic and relief features of Peninsular India, consider the following statements:

1. The Javadi Hills and Shevaroy Hills form prominent detached hill ranges in the southeastern part of the Eastern Ghats.
2. The Palghat Gap is a major relief break in the Western Ghats separating the Nilgiri Hills in the north from the Anaimalai Hills in the south.
3. The Western Coastal Plain is significantly broader than the Eastern Coastal Plain and is dominated by large prograding river deltas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Eastern Coastal Plain is broader and features extensive deltas formed by major rivers such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, whereas the Western Coastal Plain is relatively narrow and characterized by estuaries and backwaters (kayals).
Statements 1 and 2 are geomorphologically accurate. The Javadi and Shevaroy hills constitute distinct offline ridges of the south-eastern Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. The Palghat Gap acts as a major tectonic/erosional trough dividing the Nilgiri hills from the Anaimalai range. Statement 3 is false because the Eastern Coastal Plain is wider with well-developed river deltas, while the Western Coastal Plain is narrow and estuarine.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the Eastern Ghats relief features.
Statement 1 is correct.
The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and dissected by major Peninsular rivers. Prominent hill groups in Tamil Nadu, such as the Javadi, Shevaroy, Kalrayan, and Pachaimalai hills, form distinct southeastern components of this relief system.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding the continuity and gaps of the Western Ghats.
Statement 2 is correct.
The Western Ghats are generally continuous but breached by major gaps such as the Palghat Gap (Palakkad Gap), which forms a low mountain pass between the Nilgiri Block to the north and the Anaimalai/Palani Hills to the south.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 comparing the Western and Eastern Coastal Plains.
Statement 3 is incorrect.
The Eastern Coastal Plain is a broad emergent coast featuring massive river deltas (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri). In contrast, the Western Coastal Plain is predominantly a narrow submerged coast characterized by steep gradients, estuaries, and lagoonal formations rather than broad deltaic plains.

Key Concept

Physiographic contrasting features between Western Ghats/Coastal Plains and Eastern Ghats/Coastal Plains of Peninsular India.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Physiography and Relief Features of India

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