Question

Mention the classification of land forms.

Answer 1

• First-order landforms:

1. Continents and oceans are grouped as first-order landforms.
2. The vast land masses on Earth are called Continents and huge water bodies are called Oceans.
3. There are seven continents in the world. They are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
4. The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans.

• Second-order landforms:

1. Mountains, Plateaus, and Plains are grouped as second-order landforms.
2. A landform that rises 600 meters above its surroundings and has steep slopes is called a mountain.
   Example: The Himalayas, the Rocky Mountains, and the Andes.
3. Plateaus are the elevated portions of the Earth that have flat surfaces bounded by steep slopes.
   Example: Tibetan plateau and Deccan plateau.
4. Plains are flat and relatively low–lying lands. These plains are used extensively for agriculture. Example: Indo – Gangetic plain.

• Third-order landforms:

1. Third-order landforms are formed on mountains, plateaus, and plains mainly by erosional and depositional activities of rivers, glaciers, winds, and waves.
2. Example: Valleys, beaches, and sand dunes.