Sambhav-2025

Approach / Explaination / Answer

Approach Briefly introduce Peninsular India. Discuss the geological evolution of Peninsular India. Explain its impact on the region's topography and landforms. Conclude Suitably.

Introduction

Peninsular India, one of the oldest landmasses in the world, is a region of great geological significance. It is primarily composed of ancient rocks, shaped by billions of years of geological evolution. The region's diverse relief features, such as plateaus, mountains, valleys, and coastal plains, are all products of its complex geological past.

Body

Geological Evolution of Peninsular India

• Pre-Cambrian Era (around 4 billion to 570 million years ago): During the Pre-Cambrian period, the region was part of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent.
  • The Dharwar system in Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh consists of ancient granite and gneiss rocks.
  • The Cuddapah basin, located in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is famous for its sedimentary deposits, including limestone and sandstone.
  • The Aravalli Range in Rajasthan, one of the oldest fold mountain systems, also emerged during this period through tectonic movements.
• Paleozoic Era (570-245 million years ago): The Peninsular Plateau began to take shape during this time, and several mineral deposits started to form, such as coal and iron ore.
• Mesozoic Era (245-66 million years ago): The breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana occurred during this era, leading to the formation of the Indian subcontinent as a separate landmass.
  • The Deccan Traps in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are volcanic rock formations created by massive volcanic activity during the late Cretaceous period.
  • These volcanic eruptions were caused by the rifting and divergence of tectonic plates that led to the opening of the Indian Ocean.
  • The lava flows resulted in the formation of the vast plateau region, which is now known as the Deccan Plateau
• Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago to present): The final phase of tectonic activity in Peninsular India occurred during the Cenozoic era, where the land underwent further upliftment, shaping the modern topography.
• The region’s rivers such as the Narmada, Tapi, and Godavari began to carve their current courses, and sedimentation formed the fertile plains of the Ganga and Narmada valleys.
• The Vindhya and Satpura ranges were also uplifted, forming the key mountain barriers dividing the central and northern plains of India.

Impact on Topography and Landforms

• Plateau Features: The Deccan Plateau is rich in basaltic rock and extends across several states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
  • The Chotanagpur Plateau, primarily in Jharkhand, is another example of this highland area that is rich in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, and manganese.
• Mountain Ranges: Peninsular India is home to several important mountain ranges that were formed by tectonic movements.
  • The Aravalli Range, stretching from Rajasthan to Gujarat, is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and consists mainly of granite and gneiss rocks.
  • The Vindhya and Satpura Ranges, which form a natural divide between the northern plains and the Deccan Plateau, are rich in minerals and forests.
• Rivers and Valleys: The geological history of Peninsular India has led to the formation of several important river systems.
  • The Narmada River, flowing through the Narmada Valley, is a classic example of a rift valley formed by tectonic forces during the Cenozoic Era.
  • The Tapi River in Gujarat flows through a rift valley and has created numerous picturesque valleys and gorges.
  • The Godavari and Krishna rivers, flowing eastward, have carved fertile plains, such as the Konkan and Karnataka plains, which are important for agriculture.
• Coastal Features: The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats form natural barriers along the western and eastern coasts of India, respectively.
  • The coastal plains along the eastern and western coasts have been formed by the accumulation of sediments over time and are key to India's agricultural and economic activities.
    • The Konkan Coast in Maharashtra and the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu are two such fertile coastal plains.
• Ecological Diversity: The diverse topography of Peninsular India, shaped by its geological history, supports a rich variety of ecosystems.
  • The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.

Conclusion

The geological evolution of Peninsular India has been instrumental in shaping its diverse topography, mineral resources, river systems, and ecosystems. The impact of this geological history is evident in the region’s physiography, from the vast plateaus and mountain ranges to the fertile plains and coastal areas. The rich mineral deposits and agricultural fertility of the region underscore the importance of its geological evolution in shaping India’s economic and ecological landscape.