PLATEAUS AND PLAINS| Leonard John Flores

PLATEAUS
A plateau is an extensive upland region. It is also often referred to as tableland since it is
essentially flat-topped and stands conspicuously above an adjacent land area. The Bukidnon
plateaus in Mindanao is about 600 meters high.
Elevation of Plateaus
The elevation of most plateaus of the world exceeds 2,000 ft.
Appalachian Plateau has an elevation of 3,000 ft., but the Great Plains near the Rocky
Mountains, have a maximum elevation of 6,000 ft. Plain and plateau are different in relief. A
plateau has high relief while a plain has a low relief.
Origin of Plateaus
Most plateau regions are the result of diastrophism. Some are result of volcanism.
Plateaus are formed due to many weathering and erosional processes such as volcanic magma,
extrusion of lava, running water and glaciers. Plateaus are formed when molten magma rises
from the mantle towards the surface of the Earth’s crust; during the rising process, a large flat
area of rock is uplifted to form a plateau. The magma does not break through but instead raises a
section of the rock up as it rises to form a plateau.
Economic importance of plateaus
One of the greatest economic if plateau canyons is that they can be dammed to impound the
water in large reservoirs. The stored water can then be used for irrigation and for the generation
of electricity.
The plateaus are famous for minerals. The plateau of France, the Deccan plateau of India,
Western Australian plateau and Brazilian plateau are very good sources of minerals. Iron,
copper, gold, diamonds, Manganese, coal, etc., are found in them. Good for animal grazing
Many plateaus have scenic spots and are of great attraction to tourists.
Grass grows on plateaus. Animals are reared on it. The plateaus of Australia, Patagonia and
South Africa (Weldts) are well known for the rearing of goats and sheep.
Life History of Plateaus
The Appearance of a plateau at different stages on climate conditions, and also on type of rock
that is being cut into by the stream.
 Young Plateaus have more rounded surfaces and gentler slopes, with soil covering and
some talus. Streams are few, however, and cut deep into the rock.
 Mature Plateaus are generally called mountains, since they are rugged areas. Numerous
streams have cut wide valleys through the broad surface of the original plateau.
 Old-age Plateaus are worn almost level, with mere remnants of the original plateau. In
arid regions, they are steep-walled with flat upper surface
PLATEAUS AND PLAINS| Leonard John Flores

PLAINS
A plain is a land surface that is comparatively close to sea level. Plains may extend from inland,
rising gradually to the sea’s edge. In some cases, even though the slope is gentle, the total rise
may eventually be great, and the interior margin of the plains may attain altitudes of several
thousand feet.
Origins of Plains
 Coastal plains usually are recently emerged portions of nearly sea level bottom, like the
Gulf Coastal Plains of the United States.
 Delta plains, like those of the Nile and Mississippi have been built up in shallow water
by river deposits.
 Flood Plains.
 Glacial Plains.
Some Kinds of Plains of Deposition
Delta plains are formed at the mouths of rivers wherever they lose speed and leave alluvial
deposits.
Glacial, piedmont, alluvial, and lake plains are other kinds of plains and found only in regions
where there is ice.
Life History of Plains
 Young Plains are extensive level areas with few, widely separated shallow river valleys.
Because of the flatness, the rivers flow slowly. Drainage is poor and often there are lakes
and swamps.
 Mature Plains are those where the streams have acquired new tributaries and have
widened and deepened their valleys. This produces an area of gently rolling surface with
good drainage. The prairies are mature plains.
 Old-age Plains are also worn level just like the old-age plateaus, often thickly covered
with deposits of soils and silts.
Importance of Plains
Plains are easy to cultivate, easy to cross and move products across, and easy to build on. It is on
plains, large and small, that most of the world’s population, agriculture, cities, industries,
commercial districts, and transportation centers are found. Soil is finer, deeper and more fertile
than in neighboring areas.