Geography • Physical GeographyHard
Consider the structural and erosional landforms associated with fault-line scarps in ancient crystalline shield areas: Statement I: The western escarpment of the southern Indian landmass exhibits sharp linear mountain fronts created purely by recent active quaternary plate subduction. Statement II: The escarpment is widely interpreted as a passive continental margin scarp formed during the Mesozoic breakup of Gondwana, subsequently modified by prolonged sub-aerial denudation. Which of the following is correct?
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
C. Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
D. Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct✓ Correct Answer
💡 Solution & Explanation
Statement I is incorrect because the Western Ghats do not lie on an active plate subduction boundary today; India's northern margin is the active collision zone. Statement II is correct because the Western Ghats represent an elevated passive continental margin scarp born from continental rifting when Madagascar separated from India, shaped subsequently by intense tropical erosion. Understanding passive margin evolution explains the rugged topography of peninsular hill ranges.
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