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Difficulty: HardPhysiography and Relief Features of India

Which of the following statements concerning the structural relief and physiographic characteristics of the Peninsular Plateau and coastal morphotectonics of India are correct?

  1. The Western Ghats form a continuous escarpment originating from faulting during the rifting of Gondwanaland, resulting in a steep western slope facing the Arabian Sea and a gentle eastern tilt toward the Bay of Bengal.Answer
  2. B
    The Bhabar region, situated immediately south of the Shiwalik foothills, consists of fine-textured impermeable clay deposits where re-emerging streams create swampy and marshy conditions.
  3. The Palghat Gap (Palakkad Gap) is a major structural shear zone in the Southern Granulite Terrain that geographically separates the main Nilgiri Block from the Anaimalai and Cardamom Hills.Answer
  4. D
    The Eastern Coastal Plain is predominantly a narrow submerged coastline formed by faulting with deep natural harbors, whereas the Western Coastal Plain is a broad emergent landform dominated by extensive river deltas.

Answer

The statements confirming that the Western Ghats form a continuous fault-scarp escarpment dipping gently eastwards, and that the Palghat Gap is a structural break separating the Nilgiri Block from the Anaimalai and Cardamom Hills, are correct.
The statement describing the Western Ghats accurately highlights their origin as a fault-scarp escarpment formed during Gondwanaland break-up, which accounts for the asymmetrical slope (steep west, gentle east). Additionally, the statement regarding the Palghat Gap correctly identifies it as a prominent structural shear zone dividing the Nilgiri mountain block from the Anaimalai and Cardamom ranges.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural evolution and relief of the Western Ghats
Confirm that the Western Ghats were formed by continental faulting during Gondwana rifting, creating a steep western escarpment and a gentle eastern dip.
Geomorphic evidence indicates the Western Ghats are block mountains formed along a rifted passive margin.
2
Examine the sedimentology and drainage behavior of the northern plain sub-belts (Bhabar vs Terai)
Identify that Bhabar consists of highly permeable boulder beds where streams disappear, while the swampy, fine-clay zone where streams re-emerge is the Terai belt.
The description in the distractor incorrectly attributes Terai soil texture and marshy conditions to the Bhabar belt.
3
Verify the tectonic gap and hill range arrangement in Southern India
Confirm that the Palghat Gap is a major structural break separating the Nilgiri Hills to the north from the Anaimalai and Cardamom Hills to the south.
The gap represents an ancient crustal shear zone aligned with the Moyar-Bhavani-Palghat system.
4
Evaluate the coastal geomorphology of the Eastern vs Western Coastal Plains
Recognize that the Eastern Coast is emergent and deltaic, while the Western Coast is narrow, estuarine, and partially submerged.
The statement swaps the physical characteristics of the eastern and western coasts of India.

Key Concept

Physiography and Morphotectonic Features of Peninsular India and Northern Plains
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Topics

Physiography and Relief Features of India

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