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Question

Gandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2022 (Prelims) CSAT Previous Year Paper (05-June-2022)
The correct answer is

Pennar

Understanding the Gandikota Canyon and its Creator River

The question asks about the river responsible for creating the Gandikota canyon, often referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of India', located in South India. 

Canyons are deep gorges formed by the erosion of a river over millions of years. The flowing water carries sediment, which grinds away at the rock layers, cutting a path downwards and outwards.

Identifying the River Forming the Gandikota Canyon

The Gandikota canyon is a significant geological feature. Its formation is directly linked to the erosional activity of a major river flowing through the region.

Let's look at the options provided and determine which river is associated with the Gandikota canyon:

  1. Cauvery: The Cauvery river flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, primarily in the eastern direction, and is known for its delta and waterfalls like Shivanasamudra. It is not the river that formed the Gandikota canyon.
  2. Manjira: The Manjira river is a tributary of the Godavari river, flowing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. It is not associated with the Gandikota canyon.
  3. Pennar: The Pennar river (also known as Penna, Penneru, or Utkal Ganga) originates in the Nandi Hills in Karnataka and flows through Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The Gandikota canyon is carved by the Pennar river as it flows through the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh.
  4. Tungabhadra: The Tungabhadra river is a major tributary of the Krishna river, formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka. It flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh but is not the river that created the Gandikota canyon.

Based on geographical and geological information, the Gandikota canyon was carved by the erosive action of the Pennar river over a long period.

Geological Formation by the Pennar River

The dramatic landscape of the Gandikota canyon is a result of the Pennar river cutting through the hard rocks of the Velikonda range, a part of the Eastern Ghats. The river's relentless flow and the sediment it carries have incised a deep and narrow gorge, creating the impressive cliffs and rock formations visible today.

FeatureDescription
Gandikota Canyon LocationAndhra Pradesh, South India
River ResponsiblePennar River
Geological ProcessRiver Erosion
Associated Mountain RangeEastern Ghats (Velikonda Range)


 

Conclusion

The Gandikota canyon is a natural wonder shaped by the powerful forces of river erosion. The river responsible for this magnificent geological formation is the Pennar river.

Revision Table: Gandikota Canyon River Facts

TopicKey Detail
Canyon NameGandikota Canyon
LocationSouth India (Andhra Pradesh)
Formed ByPennar River
Geological TypeGorge/Canyon


 

Additional Information: River Canyons and Erosion

River canyons are prime examples of fluvial erosion. This process involves several mechanisms:

  • Hydraulic Action: The force of the water itself can erode riverbanks and beds, especially during floods.
  • Abrasion: Sediment carried by the river (like sand and pebbles) acts like sandpaper, grinding away the rock.
  • Attrition: The sediment particles themselves collide with each other, breaking down into smaller pieces.
  • Corrosion/Solution: Certain rocks can be dissolved by slightly acidic river water.

Over geological timescales, these processes combine to carve deep valleys and canyons, especially in areas where the river has a significant gradient or flows through resistant rock layers.

The Gandikota canyon's formation by the Pennar river showcases the long-term power of natural erosive processes in shaping the Earth's surface.

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The correct answer is

Pennar

Understanding the Gandikota Canyon in South India

The Gandikota canyon, often referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of India', is a spectacular geological formation located in South India. This natural wonder is a popular topic when studying the geography of India, and understanding its formation is important for exams like the Gandikota canyon upsc.

Which River Created the Gandikota Canyon?

The question asks about the specific river responsible for carving out the Gandikota canyon of South India. Canyons are typically formed by the process of river erosion over millions of years, where a river cuts through resistant rock layers.

Let's look at the options provided:

  • Cauvery
  • Manjira
  • Pennar
  • Tungabhadra

The geological evidence and geographical studies confirm that the Gandikota canyon was created by the action of one specific river among these. The stunning gorge of the Gandikota canyon is formed as this river flows through the Erramala hills.

The Role of the Pennar River

The river responsible for carving the magnificent Gandikota canyon is the Pennar river (also spelled Penna or Penneru). Over geological timescales, the Pennar river has eroded the land, cutting deeply through the bedrock of the region to form the steep-sided canyon that is visible today. This process explains how the Gandikota canyon formed. The Gandikota canyon cut by which river on which hill? It is the Pennar river cutting through the Erramala hills.

Knowing the answer to 'Gandikota canyon is formed by which river?' is a key geographical fact. The Pennar river is a major river in South India, originating in the Nandi Hills in Karnataka and flowing east through Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Its journey through the rugged terrain near Gandikota has resulted in this unique landscape.

For those preparing for the Gandikota canyon upsc section on geography, remembering that the Pennar river is the creator of this famous canyon is crucial. The Gandikota canyon of south india was created by which of the following river is a direct question that can appear in examinations. Understanding the location and the river system helps in visualizing the Gandikota canyon on map and its context within the broader geography of South India. The question 'Gandikota canyon cut by which river' points directly to the Pennar.

The other rivers listed, Cauvery, Manjira, and Tungabhadra, are also significant rivers in South India but they are not the rivers responsible for forming the Gandikota canyon near Gandikota village in Andhra Pradesh.

Therefore, the correct answer identifying the river that created the Gandikota canyon is the Pennar river. This is a specific detail that is often tested in the context of the Gandikota canyon upsc related topics.

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