Question

Discuss about Deccan Trap.

Answer 1

Deccan Traps are a part of the Deccan plateau, which is broadly divided into 3 parts - Maharashtra plateau, Karnataka plateau and Telangana plateau. The Deccan trap region forms a part of the Maharashtra plateau (as shown in the figure)

During the late Cretaceous time, when the Indian plate was moving towards the Eurasian plate in the North- eastern direction, the Indian plate passed through the Re-union Island (which is in the Indian Ocean). The island being a hot spot (in simple terms, site for volcanic eruptions), caused mass scale mafic/ basaltic eruptions on the Indian plate. (Basaltic lavas are less viscous and hotter compared to Acidic lava). These areas are called as Deccan Traps. (The region marked with green). They are mostly found in Maharashtra, but are also found in Madhya Pradesh, Kuchchh and Kathiawar peninsula as well in some parts of Telangana.

This basaltic lava after cooling down becomes the source for Black soil. These areas are hence an important ground for Cotton cultivation.