Topography

In This Presentation, You Will Learn

Everything About Topography.
Including Plains, Plateaus, Valleys and
Mountains.
 What is Topography?
Topography is the study of the forms and features
of land surfaces. The topography of an area may
refer to the land forms and features themselves, or a
description or depiction in maps. Another word for
topography is relief.
See Source 1.1.

Source 1.1:
Topography of Pakistan
 Plains
A plain is a broad area of relatively flat land.
Plains are one of the major landforms, or types
of land, on Earth. They cover more than one-
third of the world's land area. Plains exist on
every continent.
Source 1.2 shows a plain.

Source 1.2:
A plain in Oman.
 Plateaus
A plateau is a flat, elevated landform that rises
sharply above the surrounding area on at least
one side. Plateaus occur on every continent and
take up a third of the Earth's land. They are one
of the four major landforms, along with
mountains, plains, and valleys.
Source 1.3 shows a plateau.
Source 1.3:
A horse rider standing on a
plateau.
 Valleys
A valley is an elongated low area often running
between hills or mountains, which will typically
contain a river or stream running from one end
to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion
of the land surface by rivers or streams over a
very long period. Some valleys are formed
through erosion by glacial ice.
Source 1.4 contains a valley.
Source 1.4:
A valley between
hills.
 Mountains
Mountains are prominent landforms that
have significant heights above sea level
and/or the surrounding land. They are steeper
than hills. A mountain or mountain range
usually has a peak, which is a pointed top.
Mountains have different climates than land
at sea level and nearby flat land.
Source 1.5 contains a mountain.
Source 1.5:
A mountain range.
 What is Formation of
Topography?
The processes that create topography are called
formation of topography. They are usually geologic
in nature; e.g. tectonic uplift, fluvial erosion and
deposition, mass wasting, volcanic activity and
glaciation.
See Source 1.6 to see soil formation which is a
major part of formation of topography.
Source 1.6:
Soil formation –
Topography.
 Pakistan’s Topography
The topography of Pakistan is divided into
seven geographic areas: the northern highlands,
the Indus River plain, the desert areas,
the Pothohar Plateau, Balochistan Plateau, Salt
Range, and the Sistan Basin.
See Source 1.7 for topography of Pakistan.

Source 1.7:
Topography of Pakistan