DECCAN PLATEAU
Published on 31 Jan 2025
The Deccan Plateau, a vast elevated region in India is a part of the peninsular plateau. It features diverse landscapes, volcanic plateaus, and river basins. It spans central and southern India, influencing the country's topography and climate.
Formation of Deccan plateau
Tectonic activity: 65 million years ago, the Indian Plate moved north, and collided with the Eurasian Plate, uplifting and forming the Deccan Plateau through compression.
Rifting and volcanic activity: Rifting in the Indian subcontinent allowed magma to surface, initiating extensive volcanic activity that formed the Deccan Traps.
Lava flows and plateau formation: Successive basaltic lava flows created the Deccan Traps, a massive volcanic plateau with distinctive basaltic rock formations.
Erosion and landscape evolution: Erosion and subduction shaped the Deccan Plateau, forming the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and river valleys.
Characteristics of the Deccan Plateau
Shape and boundaries: Triangular plateau bounded by Vindhyas and Satpura to the northwest, Mahadev and Maikal in the north, Western Ghats to the west and Eastern Ghats to the east.
Geology: The Deccan Plateau is composed mainly of basalt rock which is up to 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) thick in some places.
Rivers: The Deccan Plateau is drained by a number of rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
Forests: The Deccan Plateau is home to a variety of forests, including tropical dry deciduous forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, and montane forests.
Minerals: The Deccan Plateau is rich in minerals, including coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, and bauxite.
Escarpments: Bordered by steep escarpments, such as the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, marking the edges of the plateau.
Significance of Deccan plateau
Water Resources: Major rivers originating from the plateau contribute significantly to regional water resources for irrigation and daily use.
Example: Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri being the water lifeline of south India
Agricultural Productivity: Fertile volcanic soils support diverse agriculture, contributing to India's food production.
Example: The fertile volcanic black soils support cotton, millet, oilseeds, and fruits.
Industry: The Deccan Plateau is home to a number of industries
Example: Mining, steel production, textiles, and chemicals.
Renewable Energy Potential: The vast open spaces of the plateau provide opportunities for the development of renewable energy projects.
Example: Wind energy production in Tamil Nadu
Biodiversity Conservation: Home to unique and endemic species.
Example: Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot.
Influence on monsoon: Western Ghats as a barrier influences the monsoon and rainfall patterns, impacting agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity.
Tourism Hub: Natural caves, waterfalls, and farms attracting tourists.
Example: Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Strategic Location: The central-southern location of the Deccan Plateau influences trade and transportation routes.
Example: Cities like Pune and Hyderabad serve as important economic and industrial centres.
Natural resource potential of Deccan Trap
Mineral resources: Deccan Traps are a rich source of minerals.
Example: Iron ore in KA & MH; Manganese in MH and MP; Bauxite in KA & GJ
Fertile soils: Deccan Traps are home to fertile black soils, which have high water retention capacity and suitability for agriculture.
Example: cultivation of cotton in black soils
Water Resources: Drained by a network of rivers providing for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower generation.
Example: Sardar Sarovar Project in Narmada and Srisailam Dam in Krishna.
Renewable energy: potential to contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Example: High potential Geothermal energy in Deccan traps.
Forest: Deccan Traps are home to a variety of forest types providing for timber sources.
Example: includes tropical dry deciduous forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, and montane forests.
