Plateau
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In geology and earth science, a plateau, also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau. A volcanic plateau is a plateau produced by volcanic activity.
The largest and highest plateau in the world is the tibit Plateau, called the "roof of the world", which is still being formed by the collisions of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates. In all the Tibetan plateau covers an area of some 2.5 million square kilometres which is approximately 5000m above sea level. The height of this plateau is such that it is enough to reverse the Hadley convection cycles and drive the monsoons of India to the south.
In North America the largest plateau is the Colorado Plateau covering an area of 337,000 km² (130,000 mi²).[1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Leighty, Dr. Robert D. (2001). "Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province". Contract Report. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DOD) Information Sciences Office. http://www.tec.army.mil/publications/ifsar/lafinal08_01/five/5.1.5_frame.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
[edit] References
- "Plateau" at scienceclarified.com.
[edit] See also
- Oceanic plateau for submarine or undersea plateaus
- Altiplano
- Table Mountain (disambiguation)
- Mesa
- Potrero
- Tuya
- Butte
- Atherton Tableland
- Chapada
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