PLATEAU

PLATEAU

WHAT IS A PLATEAU?

• A plateau is a flat and elevated landform.
• Plateau is a result of magma pushes towards the surface but fails to break through the crust.
• Plateaus, may be young or old.
• The Deccan plateau is the oldest one.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PLATEAU INFORMATION ?

1. Thermal expansion

• Formed when replacement of cold mantle lithosphere done by hot asthenosphere.
• Examples: The Yellowstone Plateau in the United States, the Massif Central in France, the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa.

2. Crustal shortening

• The great heights of some plateaus are caused due to crustal shortening.
• Examples: The Plateaus of Tibet, North Africa, Turkey, Iran.

3. Volcanism

• The plateaus formed by the flood basalts.
• Examples: Indian Peninsular Plateau, Canadian Shield.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PLATEAUS ?

• Dissected plateau 

• Formed due to an upward movement in the earth’s crust.
• The upward movement is due to slow collision of the tectonic plates.
• Example: Colorado Plateau

• Volcanic Plateau

• Formed by the small volcanic eruptions.
• The lava flow slowly builds up over time and form volcanic plateau.
• Example: The Waimarino Plateau in New Zealand.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PLATEAUS?

• Most of the minerals in the world are found in plateaus.
• For Example: Copper, Diamond and Gold from the plateaus of Africa and Coal, Iron, Manganese and Mica from the Chotanagpur Plateau in India.
• The edges of plateaus provide ideal site for hydel power generation.
• The higher parts of the plateaus have a cool climate.
• Plateaus have large grassland areas suitable for animal rearing.
• The lava plateaus are richer in minerals and fertile soil.