Analyze the physiographic characteristics and tectonic evolution of the Western Ghats: Assertion (A): The Western Ghats are classified as a fault scarp rather than a traditional young fold mountain range. Reason (R): They were formed through the massive subsidence of the western flank of the Indian peninsula into the Arabian Sea during the continental breakup of Gondwanaland. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Western Ghats represent a massive escarpment formed by the downfaulting of the western block of the peninsular plateau into the Arabian Sea during the rifting of Madagascar and India from Gondwana. This structural origin explains their steep western face dropping toward the coast and gentle eastward dip. Unlike the Himalayas, which are young fold mountains created by active tectonic compression, the Western Ghats are block mountains modified by erosion. Lateritic capping is extensive across their elevated plateau surfaces.