Which of the following landform of India is an example of 'escarpment'?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Western Ghats are an example of an 'escarpment' because they represent a steep, cliff-like slope or a long, continuous line of cliffs resulting from faulting or erosion. The Western Ghats were formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land. This process resulted in the Western Ghats having a steep, westward-facing slope (the escarpment) and a gentler slope towards the east. The abrupt rise from the coastal plains to the elevated plateau of the Deccan makes the Western Ghats a classic example of an escarpment.

Here's why the other options are incorrect:

*   **Satpura:** The Satpura range is a horst mountain (a raised fault block bounded by normal faults). While it has some steep slopes, it's primarily a mountain range formed by uplift and is not as clearly defined by a single, continuous escarpment like the Western Ghats.

*   **Aravalli:** The Aravalli range is a very old, highly eroded mountain range. It's a relict mountain range, significantly worn down over millions of years. While it might have had escarpments in the distant past, its current form is not primarily defined by a prominent, continuous escarpment.

*   **Deccan Plateau:** The Deccan Plateau is a large, elevated plateau region. While the Western Ghats form the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, the plateau itself is not an escarpment. It's a broad, relatively flat upland area. The escarpment is the *edge* of the plateau, not the plateau itself.