Streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders in
Bhabar
Understanding River Deposits from Mountains
When streams and rivers flow down from the steep slopes of mountains, they carry a lot of material with them. As the slope decreases at the foot of the mountains, the speed of the water slows down. This reduction in speed causes the river to lose energy, and it begins to deposit the heavier materials it was carrying.
The question asks where these heavy materials, specifically rocks and boulders, are deposited. Let's look at the options:
- Khadar: This refers to the newer alluvial soil found in the floodplains. It is deposited by rivers during annual floods and is typically very fertile. The deposits here are fine silt and clay, not heavy rocks and boulders.
- Bhangar: This is the older alluvial soil, lying above the level of the floodplains. It is less fertile than Khadar and often contains calcareous concretions known as 'kankar'. The deposits are also finer than rocks and boulders.
- Bhabar: This is a narrow belt about 8-16 km wide running parallel to the foothills of the Himalayas. Rivers descending from the mountains deposit coarse alluvial material here, such as pebbles and boulders, in a porous layer. Due to this high porosity, many streams disappear underground in the Bhabar belt.
- Terai: South of the Bhabar belt lies the Terai region, a wet, marshy, and densely forested area. Here, the streams that disappeared in the Bhabar re-emerge. The soil is rich and fertile, but it's not where the initial deposition of heavy rocks and boulders occurs.
Identifying the Region of Heavy Deposition
Based on the characteristics described, the region where streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders is the Bhabar belt. The significant decrease in slope at the mountain foot causes the rivers to lose their carrying capacity for larger sediment sizes, leading to the deposition of coarse materials like pebbles, cobbles, and boulders.
This process creates a porous plain, which is a distinguishing feature of the Bhabar region.
| Region | Location | Characteristics | Sediment Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhabar | South of Himalayas, foothills | Narrow belt (8-16 km), porous | Heavy rocks, boulders, pebbles |
| Terai | South of Bhabar | Wet, marshy, forested, streams re-emerge | Finer sediments, fertile soil |
| Bhangar | Older floodplains, above flood level | Older alluvium, less fertile, kankar | Older, finer alluvium |
| Khadar | Newer floodplains | Newer alluvium, very fertile, flooded annually | Newer, finer alluvium (silt, clay) |
Therefore, the correct answer is Bhabar, as this is the specific region where the coarsest sediments, including heavy rocks and boulders, are deposited by mountain rivers as they reach the plains.
Revision Table: Understanding Depositional Plains
| Feature | Bhabar | Terai | Bhangar | Khadar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sediment Size | Largest (boulders, pebbles) | Medium to Fine | Older Fine Alluvium | Newer Fine Alluvium |
| Porosity | Very High | Low | Moderate | Low |
| Stream Behavior | Streams disappear | Streams re-emerge, marshy | Above flood level | Annually flooded |
| Fertility | Poor for agriculture (due to boulders) | Fertile | Less Fertile | Most Fertile |
Additional Information on Bhabar Region
The Bhabar belt is significant geomorphologically because it marks a sudden change in slope and sediment size. The porosity of the Bhabar plain is so high that even large rivers might seem to disappear below the surface, flowing underground through the coarse sediment layer. Agriculture is not feasible in the Bhabar region due to the presence of large rocks and boulders and the porous nature of the ground. This region transitions into the Terai belt further south where finer sediments accumulate and groundwater resurfaces, creating a different type of landscape.
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