INTERVIEW FOR CSE 2019
All ForumIAS members selected for CSE 2019 Personality Test must submit their details and DAF and register below to receive further instructions and guidance from ForumIAS. Click here to register now
INTERVIEW 2020 CHANNEL
ForumIAS Channel for Interview Preparation is now Active! Please join the channel by clicking here
We are hiring!

Why does Deccan Plateau slope towards East?

Few doubts

1. Why Deccan Plateau's slope towards east ?
2. Why Deccan Plateau has so many waterfalls?
3. What is the rainfall pattern across Deccan plateau ?
4. How does Deccan Plateau affect our Indian climate ?

I tried searching the answers in the forum with no success and couldn't locate the official Geography (doubt) thread
TIA

«13

Comments

  • Very pertinent question. I would personally thank anyone who answers the question above exactly. Maybe even gift a book. :)
  • @upsc_cracker @Neyawn


    1. Why Deccan Plateau's slope towards east ?

    I don’t know the exact answers but will try to to make up something,,,

    - one, lets say if the lava flow in deccan traps was at some western end in Maharshtra region - then of course if lava flowed from west towards east, (higher ground to power ground) then there will be gentle slope

    - second, i think some people say that when India broke apart from Gondwana there was lowering of the eastern side of the shield. (u can imagine this as some isostatic process) thus eastern part was already lowered and on top lava flow from west to east,, thus the slope


    2. Why Deccan Plateau has so many waterfalls?

    Again giving it a shot:

    1) deccan plateau made up of igneous rock,,it is tough rock,,,so it won’t be cut in gentle slope way,,it will always be cut or break only where there is some weakness and thus will lead to deep depressions at some places while the other places will hold on,,,

    2) adding on to that,, if ur question really was why many waterfalls in western ghats?
    then coz the western side of western ghats is home to may fast flowing rivers,,,
    coz much rainfall due to it being on windward side—great slope coz the west coast slumped down— hard rocks again making steeper gradients




    Plus also answer this question for me,,,
    Is eastern coast or Western coast of India better placed for harbours? of course with many reasons


    I think this question is long due.

  • question 3 and 4 shall not be too hard,,,just look at the map for rainfall patterns,,,
    deccan plateau on leeward side so rainfall less,,easily related to drought like conditions in vidarbha etc
    second, u can also relate to how there was report last year that in kerala the western ghats not continuous, so rain bearing clouds can pass on to the mainland easily

    the climate shall be driven by precipitation, temperature, and topography,,, relate these three
  • 1.
    There are various theories.

    One is that Indian plate in the past passed over a mantle plume/hot spot. The crust arched due to heat and magma flow, which gave it an east ward tilt.

    The other explanation is related to Deccan Volcanic period. After the volcanism in the Western Part of Deccan was over, it underwent erosion and denudation during the Cenozoic period. As a result of erosion, the western part underwent upliftment due to isostatic adjustment, which led to development of Eastward tilt.

    image

    2.
    Waterfalls are formed due to various reasons:

    a.When there is a variation in the structural and lithological characteristics. This generally entails variations in hardness and softness of underlying strata. Soft materials undergo fluvial erosion to a greater degree but the hard material doesn’t. The differential erosion leads to formation of waterfalls, rapids and cataracts. Such variations in structure abound in the plateau region leading to formation of waterfalls.

    b.Waterfalls are also common in plateau escarpments (the vertical part of slope in plateau). Many such falls in Southern part of plateau. This may be formed due to upliftment of land. Jog falls belong to this category.

    c. Waterfalls are also formed in hanging valleys, where a tributary joins the master stream from a great height. Rajroppa falls in the Damodar river are in this category.

    d. Knickpoint waterfalls is another category. It is formed due to rejuvenation of stream due to various tectonic factors. Hundru falls in Subrnarekha river in this category.

    3. Western slopes of Western Ghats receive copious rainfall due to orographic effect of Arabian Sea Branch of Monsoons. Typically this is a region with rainfall exceeding 250 cm in a year, leading to tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetation.

    The eastern slopes lie in the leeward region, hence are arid. This is the reason for frequent droughts in Vidharba and Marathwada regions.

    Eastern part receives rainfall from Bay of Bengal branch.

    Tamil Nadu lies in the rain shadow region during summer monsoon, hence rainfall here is relatively lower compared to other parts in the region. It receives most of rainfall via winter monsoons, or North-eest monsoons, when winds from north east, passing over Bay of Bengal bring rainfall here.

    4. The major impact is that it causes split in the monsoon winds, giving rise to two distinct branches, Arabian Sea Branch and Bay of Bengal branch.
  • @Wolverine8997 thanks for amazing explanation


    also plz answer the question relating to harbours
    - which coast of India better suited or is natural harbour ,,east or west?
    Thanks
  • Is there any need to go through previous year papers of optional subjects related to GS too? Does it helps in any manner?

  • also plz answer the question relating to harbours
    - which coast of India better suited or is natural harbour ,,east or west?
    I think West coast is better suited for Natural ports. The coastline of West coast is more crenulated/indented which helps in formation of natural harbors.

  • also plz answer the question relating to harbours
    - which coast of India better suited or is natural harbour ,,east or west?
    I think West coast is better suited for Natural ports. The coastline of West coast is more crenulated/indented which helps in formation of natural harbors.
    I think on the east coast you have rivers forming delta, that would make the sea shallow at the mouth and not such a good recipe for ports?
  • @Neyawn toh gift kisko milega? :D
  • @Neyawn toh gift kisko milega? :D
    Haha, you decide - we have three contenders! trying to be swan, wolverine and babur! babur has put maximum effort, while swan has been the swiftest. Wolverine has put answers pointwise too.

    You tell me!

Sign In or Join to comment.

Welcome!

We are a secret self-moderated community for Civil Services preparation. Feel free to join, start a discussion, answer a question or just to say Thank you.

Just dont spread the word ;)

Sign in or join with Facebook or Google