Which hill is a part of the Meghalaya plateau?
Jaintia Hills
Understanding the Meghalaya Plateau and its Hills
The question asks us to identify which of the given hills is part of the Meghalaya plateau. The Meghalaya plateau is a significant geographical feature in northeastern India, known for its unique hill ranges.
Locating the Meghalaya Plateau
The Meghalaya plateau is primarily located in the state of Meghalaya, in northeastern India. It is essentially an extension of the Indian Peninsular Plateau, separated from the main block by the Malda fault or the Ganga-Brahmaputra valley.
The plateau is home to several prominent hill ranges, which are collectively known by the names of the tribal groups inhabiting them. These are the Garo Hills, the Khasi Hills, and the Jaintia Hills. These hills are arranged from west to east in Meghalaya.
Analyzing the Given Options
Let's examine each option to determine its geographical location:
- Cardamom hills: These hills are located in the southern part of India, in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are part of the Western Ghats mountain range.
- Nilgiri Hills: Also located in southern India, where the Western and Eastern Ghats meet at the border of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Jaintia Hills: These hills are located in the eastern part of the state of Meghalaya, forming the easternmost part of the Meghalaya plateau.
- Anaimalai hills: Located in the southern part of India, in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are part of the Western Ghats, situated south of the Palghat Gap.
Identifying the Hill within the Meghalaya Plateau
Based on the analysis of the locations, it is clear that the Jaintia Hills are situated within the state of Meghalaya and form a distinct part of the Meghalaya plateau, alongside the Garo and Khasi Hills.
The other options — Cardamom hills, Nilgiri Hills, and Anaimalai hills — are all located in Southern India and are part of the Western Ghats system, completely separate from the Meghalaya plateau.
| Hill Name | Location | Part of Meghalaya Plateau? |
|---|---|---|
| Cardamom hills | Southern India (Western Ghats) | No |
| Nilgiri Hills | Southern India (Western & Eastern Ghats junction) | No |
| Jaintia Hills | Meghalaya (Northeastern India) | Yes |
| Anaimalai hills | Southern India (Western Ghats) | No |
Therefore, the Jaintia Hills are the correct answer as they are a component of the Meghalaya plateau.
Revision Table: Key Indian Hill Ranges
| Hill Range | Region | Prominence/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jaintia Hills | Meghalaya, Northeast India | Part of the Meghalaya Plateau |
| Garo Hills | Meghalaya, Northeast India | Western part of the Meghalaya Plateau |
| Khasi Hills | Meghalaya, Northeast India | Central part of the Meghalaya Plateau; includes Shillong plateau |
| Cardamom Hills | Southern India (Kerala/Tamil Nadu) | Part of Southern Western Ghats |
| Nilgiri Hills | Southern India | Meeting point of Western and Eastern Ghats |
| Anaimalai Hills | Southern India (Kerala/Tamil Nadu) | Part of Southern Western Ghats, south of Palghat Gap |
| Aravalli Range | Northwest India | One of the oldest fold mountain ranges |
| Vindhya Range | Central India | Separates Northern India from Southern India |
| Satpura Range | Central India | Parallel to Vindhya Range |
Additional Information on Meghalaya Plateau
The Meghalaya plateau is a plateau in northeastern India. It is separated from the Deccan Plateau by a gap known as the Garo-Rajmahal Gap or Malda Gap. The plateau is dissected by numerous rivers. The highest point of the Meghalaya plateau is Shillong Peak, which is located in the Khasi Hills.
The plateau receives a very high amount of rainfall, especially in the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills, home to places like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, which are among the wettest places on Earth. The heavy rainfall leads to significant erosion, shaping the landscape with numerous caves and waterfalls.
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