Major Plateaus of the World

Major Plateaus of the World is an important topic in World Geography, focusing on the distribution, formation, and physical characteristics of large plateau regions across different continents. Plateaus influence climate, river systems, mineral resources, and human settlement patterns. Understanding their global significance helps in analyzing physical landforms and geographical processes.

Plateaus

• Plateaus are the second order reliefs of the earth.
• Plateaus are spread over 33% of the total land surface.
• Areas which are uplifted from their surroundings, having a flat and a broad top, having more than one, steep slopes are called plateaus.
• Some plateaus are up to 100 meters high and some extensive plateaus are up to several thousand meters high. Generally, their height ranges from 300 meters to 1000 meters above sea level.

Classification of plateaus based on their origin

1. Lava Plateaus: Formed by outpouring of lava over large areas.
   Examples: Deccan Plateau (India), Columbia Plateau (USA).
2. Glaciated Plateaus: Formed by erosion and deposition by glaciers, mainly in high latitudes.
   Examples: Labrador, Scandinavia, Alaska. In lower regions, small plateaus are formed by the deposition of moraines. Example – Garhwal Plateau of India and the Puchia Plateau in Germany.
3. Aeolian Plateaus: Formed by wind-blown soil deposition.
   Examples: Potwar Plateau (Pakistan), Loess Plateau (China).
4. Aquiferous / Aqueous Plateaus: Formed by sediment deposition in seas or geosynclines followed by uplift due to earth movements.
5. Example: Shan Plateau (Myanmar).

Classification of plateaus based on Location

Intermountain Plateau– 

• Intermountain Plateaus lie between mountain ranges.
• Formed by endogenous forces along with folded mountains.
• They are the highest, most extensive, and most complex plateaus on Earth.
• Examples: Tibetan Plateau (between Himalayas and Kunlun), Bolivian Plateau, Mexican Plateau.

Piedmont Plateau –

• Piedmont Plateaus are formed at the foothills of mountains.
• They have mountains on one side and plains or sea on the other.
• The slope towards the plain is steep and rapid.
• Examples: Patagonia Plateau (Argentina), Piedmont Plateau east of the Appalachian Mountains (USA).

Continental Plateau –

• Continental Plateaus extend over a large part of a country or continent.
• Generally located away from major mountain regions.
• Examples: Deccan Plateau, Greenland Plateau, Antarctica Plateau.

Classification of plateaus based on climate

1. Humid Plateau – These plateaus mostly have 50% of humidity and good rainfall. For example plateaus of Meghalaya and Malagasy are included under this category.
2. Dry or Arid Plateau – The amount of evaporation exceeds the amount of rainfall received thus dryness prevails on these plateaus, for example Tarim, Gobi and Potwar Plateau.
3. Iced Plateau –Higher regions and higher latitudes are mostly covered with perpetual snow because of lower temperatures example Greenland and Antarctic plateaus

Classification of plateaus based on stage of development

1. Young Plateaus: Have steep edges, deep river valleys, and active erosion; e.g., Colorado Plateau with the Grand Canyon.
2. Mature Plateaus: Show uneven surfaces with caves and ridges; margins often appear terraced, e.g., Appalachian Plateau.
3. Old Plateaus: Eroded into nearly flat plains, e.g., Ranchi Plateau.
4. Rejuvenated Plateaus: Uplifted by endogenic forces, causing renewed erosion.

Major Plateaus of the World

North America

South America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Australia

Plateau	Location
Kimberley Plateau	North Western Australia
Arnhem Plateau	Northern Australia
Barkly Tableland	Northeastern Australia
Buckland Tableland	Northeastern Queensland (Australia)