NCERT Notes: Grade 6 Social Science - Geography - Chapter 6: Major Landforms of the Earth

Introduction

Landforms are natural features that make up the Earth’s surface. Varying in size and shape, these forms, sculpted over millions of years, dot our planet’s landscape. Chapter 6 of the NCERT Grade 6 Social Science textbook sheds light on these intriguing formations and their origins.

Landforms: The Earth’s Artistry

Landforms arise due to the internal and external activities taking place on Earth. While some landforms are birthed from the tectonic movements below the Earth’s surface, others are crafted by external factors like water, wind, and ice.

1. Mountains

• Definition: Elevated landforms higher and steeper than hills.

• Types of Mountains:

  1. Fold Mountains: Formed due to the folding of Earth’s lithosphere layers. Examples: Himalayas in Asia, the Rockies in North America.

  2. Block Mountains: Caused by both lifting and sinking of Earth’s crust. Examples: the Vosges mountain range in Europe, the Black Forest in Germany.

  3. Volcanic Mountains: Birthed by volcanic activities. Examples: Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount St. Helens in North America.

2. Plateaus

• Definition: Elevated lands, but unlike mountains, they are flat on top.

• Importance: Often called the ‘storehouses of minerals’, plateaus are vital for mineral deposits.

• Examples: The Deccan Plateau in India, the Western Plateau in Australia.

3. Plains

• Definition: Large stretches of flat lands.

• Formation: Created by rivers and their tributaries. The eroded material from mountains is carried by rivers and deposited in plains.

• Importance: Highly fertile and significant for agricultural activities.

• Examples: Gangetic Plains in India, the Great Plains in North America.

4. Deserts

• Definition: Dry, sandy regions with minimal vegetation.

• Types:

  1. Hot Deserts: Sahara in Africa, the Thar in India and Pakistan.

  2. Cold Deserts: Ladakh in India, the Gobi in Mongolia.

Forces Behind Landform Creation

Landforms don’t appear overnight. They’re the result of millennia of persistent activity.

1. Internal Forces:

• These originate from Earth’s interior and include activities like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and land folding.

2. External Forces:

• These forces act on Earth’s surface and mainly involve natural agents like water, wind, and glaciers. These agents erode, transport, and deposit the Earth’s material, shaping its landscapes.

Conclusion

The major landforms of the Earth are a testament to nature’s power and artistry. Every mountain, plateau, plain, and desert tells a story of the planet’s evolving landscape. By understanding these landforms and the forces that mold them, we can better appreciate the diverse beauty of our planet and the dynamic processes that have shaped it over eons.

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Reference: NCERT Grade 6 Social Science - Geography - Chapter 6: Major Landforms of the Earth