The surface of the earth is not flat and even. It has high mountains, deep valleys, broad plateaus and vast plains. These different shapes of the earth's surface are called landforms. The major landforms of the earth are mountains, plateaus and plains.
The landforms have been formed over millions of years by the action of natural forces. The internal forces of the earth, like the movements of the earth's crust (earthquakes and volcanic activity), and the external forces, like the wind, water and ice (called erosion and deposition), have shaped the surface of the earth.
In this chapter, we will learn about the three major landforms – mountains, plateaus and plains – how they are formed, how they are different from each other, and why people live in these landforms.
The landforms of the earth are the result of two types of forces:
The continuous work of these internal and external forces has created the variety of landforms that we see today.
The three major landforms of the earth are:
These landforms are found on every continent, and they differ from each other in height, slope and use by people.
A mountain is a landform that is much higher than the surrounding land, with steep slopes and a narrow summit. A chain of mountains is called a mountain range. The highest mountain range in the world is the Himalayas in Asia, which contains Mount Everest, the highest peak on the earth.
Mountains are of three types: - Fold mountains: Formed by the folding of the earth's crust due to internal forces. The Himalayas and the Alps are fold mountains. - Block mountains: Formed when large blocks of the earth's crust are broken and pushed up. The Rhine valley and the Vosges mountains are examples. - Volcanic mountains: Formed by the eruption of volcanoes. Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Fuji in Japan are volcanic mountains.
Mountains are very important for life on the earth:
However, mountains have thin soil and harsh weather, so they support less farming, and the hill slopes are not suitable for living or farming on a large scale.
A plateau is an elevated, flat-topped landform that rises sharply above the surrounding land. Plateaus are called tablelands because they look like tables with flat tops.
Plateaus are formed by the uplift of the earth's crust or by the flowing of lava. The Deccan plateau in India, the Tibetan plateau in Asia (the highest plateau in the world), and the East African plateau are examples.
Plateaus are very useful because: - They are rich in minerals like iron, coal and gold. - They provide flat land for agriculture. - Many rivers flow from plateaus, making waterfalls that can be used to generate hydroelectric power.
A plain is a large, flat area of land that is not very high above sea level. Plains are generally fertile because they are formed by the deposition of soil carried by rivers.
Plains are formed by: - The alluvial deposits brought by rivers (like the Indo-Gangetic plains). - The deposits of glaciers and wind.
Plains are the most suitable landform for human habitation. They provide flat land for farming, easy transport, and space for towns and cities. Because of their fertile soil, plains support a large population. Most of the world's agriculture is carried on the plains, which is why they are called the grain baskets of the world.
People live in all the major landforms, but life is different in each:
The distribution of population depends a great deal on the landforms. Plains are the most densely populated, while mountains and plateaus are less densely populated.
The landforms influence the lives of the people in many ways:
Because the landforms provide different resources, people have adapted their lives to the landforms in which they live. The study of landforms helps us to understand the distribution of population, occupations and the development of civilisations.
The landforms of the earth are being degraded by human activities: - Cutting of forests on mountains and plateaus leads to soil erosion and landslides. - Overgrazing on the slopes damages the soil. - Excessive farming and the use of chemicals pollute the plains. - Mining on the plateaus damages the land.
We must protect our landforms by planting trees, preventing soil erosion, and using the land carefully. The landforms are the foundation of life on the earth, and their protection is essential for the future.
| Landform | Height and Shape | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mountains | High, steep slopes, narrow summit | Himalayas, Alps, Andes |
| Plateau | Elevated flat top, rises sharply | Deccan plateau, Tibetan plateau |
| Plains | Large flat low-lying areas | Indo-Gangetic plains |
| Type | How Formed | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fold mountains | Folding of the earth's crust | Himalayas, Alps |
| Block mountains | Blocks pushed up by internal forces | Rhine valley, Vosges |
| Volcanic mountains | Eruption of volcanoes | Kilimanjaro, Fuji |
The surface of the earth is made up of a great variety of landforms, shaped by the internal and external forces of nature. The mountains stand high with their peaks, the plateaus rise as flat tablelands, and the plains spread out as vast fertile areas. Each landform has its own special features, resources and way of life.
Mountains are sources of rivers and natural barriers, plateaus are rich in minerals, and plains are the grain baskets of the world. The distribution of population, the occupations of the people and the development of civilisations are all closely linked to the landforms. Protecting these landforms from erosion and degradation is essential, because they are the foundation of all life on the earth.