Question

Answer the following questions in brief

Mention the different types of plateaux.

Answer 1

Types of Plateaux — Plateaus may be classified into the following categories on the basis of their formation, appearance, and location:
Tectonic Plateau: A tectonic plateau is formed by the movement of the earth’s crustal plates. The tectonic movement causes a huge portion of the earth’s surface to rise. The plateau of South Africa and the Turkish-Iranian Plateau are examples of tectonic plateaus.
Volcanic Plateau: A volcanic plateau is a plateau formed by the spread of successive layers of lava on a particular region. When the lava cools, it solidifies and the successive sheets of lava finally form a raised table and or a plateau over a period of time. The extensive Columbia Plateau (in the north-western part of the U SA), the north-western part of the Deccan Plateau, and the Malwa Plateau are examples of volcanic plateaus.
Dissected Plateau: These have irregular surface marked by canyons, gorges, and steep, narrow valleys formed by the process of erosion. They are most common in dry and desert regions. The Colorado Plateau, through which the Grand Canyon passes, and the Brazilian Plateau (Mato Grosso) are examples of dissected plateaus.
Intermontane Plateau: These are surrounded by mountains and are the most common types of a plateau. The most common example of an intermontane plateau is the Tibetan Plateau which is enclosed by the Himalayan Mountains to its south and the Kunlun Shan to its north.
Piedmont Plateau: Piedmont plateau is one that lies between a mountain and a plain or an ocean. Examples of Piedmont plateaus are the Patagonia Plateau in South America and the piedmont Plateau of North America.