IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN RANGES

INDIA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN RANGES

KARAKORAM RANGES:

1. Extends form the Pamir, east of the Gilgist River, 600 km long and the average width 120-140km.

2. Ancient name was Krishnagiri.

3. Trans Himalaya, originally a part of Eurasian plate.

4. Abode of largest glaciers in India.

5. Siachen, Baltora, Biafo, and Hisper all the four of largest glacier are in Karakoram.

6. Highest Peak: K2 or Godwin Austin (8611m)

7. Other important Peak: Gasherbrum or Hidden Peak Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II.

8. In the northern limit of Karakoram Range lies Pamir, the Aghil Mountains and the Yarkand River and in the southern limit Rive Indus and its tributary Shyok.

LADDAKH RANGE

1. Situated to the north of Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ) and south or Karakoram, between River Indus and Shyok.

2. Highest Peak: Mt.Rakaposhi (steepest peak in the world).

(A)GREAT HIMALAYA OR HIMADRI

1. Northern most part of the Himalayan Range is the world’s highest with an average altitude of 6,000m.

2. Include the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Makalu (8,481m) Mansalu (8,156m), Annapurna(8,078m) and also the Indian peak Kanchenjungs(8,598 m) and Nanga Parbat(8,126m)

3. Include some famous passes- Burzil and Zozila in Kashmir, Shipki La and Bara lapchala in Himachal Pradesh, Thag La, Niti Pass, and Lipulekh in U.P Jelepla and Nathu La in Sikkim.

ZASKAR RANGE

Western part of the main Great Himalayan Mountain is situated to the south of Trans Himalayan.

Nanga Parbat (8,126m)

Forms the north-west part of Zaskar Range but geographically confined to the Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Garhwal region. Second highest peak of the Himalayan Range in India.

Dhalagiri (8,172 m)

Eastern continuation of Nanga Parbat and is located in Nepal.

(B) LESSER HIMALAYA

Also known as Himachal-Himalaya which is separated from the Shiwalik Range by Duns.

(I) PIR PANJAL RANGE

Located in Kashmir, Punjab and extends from the Jhelum River to the upper Beas River for over 300km.

Separated form the Zaskar Range by the valley of Kashmir (valley of Kashmir)

(II) DHAULADHAR

Southern-most range of the Lower or Lesser Himalaya.

Rarely attains elevations higher then 4,000m

Continue eastward in to Mahabharata Range.

(C)SIWALIK RANGE

Extends from Jammu & Kashmir (150km wide) to Arunachal Pradesh (8-

15km) over 2400km.

Northern limit-Main Boundary thrust which separates Outer Himalaya from the Lesser Himalaya. Its southern limit is Indo Gangetic Plain.

Also known as Sub-Himalaya or Outer Himalaya.

Youngest part of mountain chain stretching form the Brahmaputra to the Indus.

Separated from Lesser Himalaya by Main Boundary Thrust.

CLASSIFICATION OF HIMALAYA ON THE BASIS OF GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:

1.Punjab Himalaya Between Indus and Sutlej- 560 km

2.Kumaon Himalaya Between Sutluj and Kali- 320 km

3.Nepal Himalaya Between Kali and Tista- 800 km

4.Assam Himalaya Between Tista and Dihang- 720 km

THE PURVANCHAL

(The North Eastern Highland)

The Himalaya range after crossing the Dihang gorge in the east, bend southwards, forming a series of hills, in north south trend.

Hills, North Cachar Hills and the Tripura Hills.

PURU NEFA

(I) Mishmi Hills

The highest range of Purvanchal Hills which is situated in the north-eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh.

(II) Patkai Bum

A synclinal range extending north south in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

NAGA RANGES

Forms watershed between Nagaland and Myanmar.

MANIPUR HILLS

Characterized by ridge and valley type of topography Loktak lake (centripetal drainage) is situated in this hill.

NORTH CACHAR HILLS

Larger portion of hilly belt lying between Meghalaya and the North eastern ranges.

MIZO HILLS

Previously known as Lushai Hills Characterized by cuesta type of topography

TRIPURA HILLS

Characterized by ridge and valley topography

PENINSULAR MOUNTAINS

Total length:800km

Highest peak: Guru Sikhar(1,722m) of the Abu Hills.

Extending from the north east to the south-west of India and separates to semi desert regions of Rajasthan from the fertile Udaipur and Jaipur regions.

It is and example of relict mountain

One of the oldest fold mountains in the world.

VINDHYAN RANGE

A block mountain which separates northern India from the southern mainland.

Composed of sandstones, shales and quartzites.

South of it, Narmada River flows in the rift valley.

Acts as a natural watershed between north and south India.

SATPURA RANGE

Highest peak: Dhupgarh(1,350m) near Panchmarhi.

Average elevation: 1,030m above sea level.

Extending in east west direction, to the south of Vindhyans.

Situated between Narmada and Tapi River.

Starting from Rajpipla hills in the west through Mahadeo hill to Maikal range.

MAIKAL RANGE

Eastern part of Satpura system is situated in Madhya Pradesh.

Mount Amarkantak is the highest peak

AJANTA RANGE, BALAGHAT RANGE, AND HARISH CHANDRA RANGE:

Extending in east west direction, are all spurs of Western Ghats forming local watersheds.

Kalsubai(1,646m) the highest peak of Western Ghat forming local watersheds.

NILGIRI HILLS

It is the meeting point of Western and Eastern Ghats.

Doda Betta(2,637m) is the highest peak of Nilgiri Hills.

The hills are separated from southern hills by a gap called Palghat Gap

ANAIMALAI HILLS

Anai Mudi(2,695m) the highest peak of South India is in Anaimalai Hills.

CARDAMON HILLS

It is situated in the extreme south of Peninsular India

Formed of gneisses and schists.

RAJMAHAL HILLS

Extends in north south direction and is situated in the northeaster edge of the Chhotanagpur Plateau.

SAHYADRIS (WESTERNGHATS)

Total length: about 1600km

Average height:1200m

Highest Peak: Kalsubai(1646m)

Runs along the western coastal plain from the south of valley of Tapi to Kanya Kumari, the southern most point of mainland India.

Region which receives maximum rainfall and is covered with evergreen forest

The Western Ghats meet with Eastern Ghats in the Nilgiri hills.

Acts as a main watershed of Peninsular Rivers.

EASTERN GHATS:

Runs along the eastern coast of India from northern Orissa to the Nilgiri Hills.

Characterised by unbroken hills between Mahanadi and Godavari.

Mahendragiri is the highest peak of Eastern Ghats.

Nallamalli Hills is situated between Krishna and Penneru Rivers.