A plain is a low lying flat surface which takes up to 55% of the earth�s land. A Plateau is an elevated area with a more or less levelled land on its top. It takes up to 18% of the earth�s land surface. Let us learn about the types of plains in this blog.

How many types of plains do we see around us?

 

A relatively flat and a low-lying surface with the least difference between the highest and lowest points is called a plain. Plains do not usually have a height above 160 m but many plains above 400 m exist in many areas. The plains are usually lowlands. Plains are thickly populated than both mountains and plateaus .

 

The survival on plains is relatively easier than mountains and plateaus. Also, the weather condition is moderate in plains.

 

There are mainly two types of plains:
1. Structural Plain
2. Depositional Plain

 

Structural Plains

 

Most of the structural plains have been formed due to the upliftment of the submerged landmasses.

Do you know how the coastal plains are formed?

 

The coastal plains are also formed by the upliftment of a part of the seafloor bordering a continent. The coastal plains become broader towards the sea due to the deposition of materials brought by the sea waves. The same kind of formation can be observed in the offshore beaches all over the world.

 

The great plains of the USA and the coastal plains lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabia Sea in India are typical examples of plains.

 

What are Depositional Plains?

 

When the sediments brought down by the natural agents of transportation such as water, ice and wind get deposited in the depressions, the depositional plains are formed. Do you know why are they called depositional plains? It is because they are formed because of the deposition of the sediments.

Depositional Plains

 

These plains can be further divided into three sub-categories:
� Alluvial plains
� Drift plains
� Loess plains

 

Alluvial plains

The Gangetic Plains in India, the Huang Ho Plain in China and the Po Valley in Italy are examples of alluvial plains. These plains are formed by the alluvial deposits brought down by the rivers.

 

Drift Plains

The Canadian Plains and the Plains of north-western Eurasia have been formed by the deposits brought down by the glaciers. These plains are called drift plains.

 

Loess Plains

The loess plains are formed by the depositional work of the wind. A typical example is the plains of north-western China.

 

Another type of plain is formed when the sediments are deposited in a lake basin which is known as lacustrine plains.

 

The plain regions of the world are suitable for agriculture, settlement, transportation etc. Thus these regions are thick populated. But do you think all types of plains are heavily populated?

 

No, the plain areas which are either too hot or too wet normally remain barren and undeveloped such as those in the Sahara and the Congo Basin in Africa, the Amazon Basin of South America, the Tundra region and the Great Indian Desert in Asia.

 

Questions:

 

1. What is the usual height of a plain?
a. Approx. 200 m
b. Approx. 250 m
c. Approx. 400 m
d. Approx. 160 m

 

2. Which of the following is an example of structural plains?
a. Gangetic Plains
b. Canadian Plains
c. Plains of North-Western China
d. The Great Plains of USA

 

3. _________ plains are formed by the alluvial deposits brought down by the rivers.
a. Drift
b. Loess
c. Lacustrine
d. Alluvial

 

4. Loess Plains are formed by the depositional work of the ________.
a. Volcano
b. Glacier
c. Lake
d. Wind

 

5. Which of the following is NOT a heavily populated plain?
a. Huang Ho Plain
b. Canadian Plains
c. Plains of North-Western China
d. Tundra Region

Read More: Types Of Plateaus: Intermontane, Volcanic and Dissected Plateaus