Chapter 2 Physical features of India class 9

Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) What is the bhabar? 

Answer:

The northern plains are generally described as flatlands, with no variations in its relief. But, It is not true. These vast plains also have diverse relief features. According to the variations in relief features, the Northern plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending from the mountains deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. This region is known as bhabar.

(ii) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south. 

Answer:

1. The northernmost range is known as The Great or Inner Himalayas or Himadri
2. Himachal or Lesser Himalaya
3. Outer Himalayas or Shiwaliks

(iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhya ranges? 

Answer:

The Malwa plateau lies between Aravali and Vindhya ranges.

(iv) Name the island group of India having a coral origin.

Answer:

Lakshadweep Islands is the island group of India having with a coral origin.

3. Distinguish between

(i) Bhangar and Khadar 

Answer:

Bhangar

1. Lies above flood plains of the river.
2. Older alluvium or old soil and forms the largest part of the Northern Plains

Khadar

1. It is a newer, younger deposit of flood plains. Renewed every year.

(ii) the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats 

Answer:

The Western Ghats

1. Lies parallel to the Western Coast.
2. They are continuous and can be crossed through passes only
3. The Western Ghats’ average elevation is 900 – 1600 metres
4. The Western Ghats cause orographic rain by facing the rain-bearing moist winds to rise along the western slopes of the Ghats.
5. The height of the Western Ghats progressively increases from north to south.

The Eastern Ghats

1. Lies parallel to the Eastern Coast.
2. They are discontinuous and irregular and
3. The Eastern Ghats are dissected by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
4. The Eastern Ghats average elevation is 600 metres

4. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau

Answer:

The major physiographic divisions of India are

1. The Himalayan Mountains
2. The Northern Plains
3. The Peninsular Plateau
4. The Indian Desert
5. The Coastal Plains
6. The Islands

Contrast the relief of Himalayan region and Peninsular Plateau

Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau constitutes one of the ancient land masses on the earth’s surface. It was supposed to be one of the most stable land blocks. The Himalayas are the most recent landforms. From the viewpoint of geology, Himalayan mountains form an unstable zone. The whole mountain system of Himalaya represents a very youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast-flowing rivers. The northern plains are formed of alluvial deposits. The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.