Chapter 4 – Geomorphic processes and Landforms of the Earth

Geomorphic Processes and Landforms of the Earth is an important chapter in WBBSE Class 9 Geography. Here, you will find Geomorphic Processes and Landforms of the Earth questions and answers arranged clearly to help you revise quickly and prepare better for your exams.

Content Structure

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
2. Very short-type questions and answers
- 2A. Fill in the blanks
- 2B. True or false
- 2C. Single word questions and answers
3. Short-type questions and answers
4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. Isolated hills of hard rock found in peneplain is known as-
(a) Delta
(b) Loess
(c) Pediment
(d) Monadnock

Ans: (d) Monadnock

2. An example of a block mountain is the-
(a) Satpuras
(b) Rockies
(c) Vesuvius
(d) Himalayas

Ans: (a) Satpuras

3. Mountains with folds are known as-
(a) Fold mountain
(b) Volcanic mountain
(c) Relict mountain
(d) Block mountain

Ans: (a) Fold mountain

4. A shallow and narrow seabed is known as-
(a) Geosyncline
(b) continental drift
(c) Continental slope
(d) Continental shelf

Ans: (d) Continental shelf

5. “Roof of the world” refers to the-
(a) Pamir plateau
(b) Tibetan plateau
(c) Ladakh plateau
(d) Arabian plateau

Ans: (a) Pamir plateau

6. The average elevation of a plateau is at least-
(a) 300 metre
(b) 500 metre
(c) 400 metre
(d) 200 metre

Ans: (a) 300 metre

7. The folding of rock beds leads to the formation of-
(a) Fold mountains
(b) Block mountains
(c) Volcanic mountains
(d) Depositional mountains

Ans: (a) Fold mountains

8. An example of a lava plateau in indian is-
(a) Ladakh plateau
(b) Chota Nagpur plateau
(c) Deccan Plateau
(d) Meghalaya plateau

Ans: (c) Deccan Plateau

9. Mt. Everest is located in-
(a) Bhutan
(b) China
(c) India
(d) Nepal

Ans: (d) Nepal

10. A loess plain is formed by-
(aa) Action of rivers
(b) Glacial actions
(c) Wins action
(d) Action of sea waves

Ans: (c) Wins action

11. The main propounder of the plate Tectonic Theory is-
(a) Pichon
(b) Darwin
(c) Wilson
(d) McKenzie

Ans: (a) Pichon

12. The longest fold mountain range in the world is the-
(a) Himalayas
(b) Andes
(c) Rockies
(d) Alps

Ans: (b) Andes

13. Converging plate movements result in the formation of-
(a) Block mountains
(b) Fold mountains
(c) Plains
(d) Erosional mountains

Ans: (b) Fold mountains

14. An example of a cone shaped volcanic mountains is-
(a) Krafla island
(b) Mauna Loa in Hawaii
9c) Paricutin in Mexico
(d) Fujiyama in Japan

Ans: (d) Fujiyama in Japan

15. The valley of thousand smokes is-
(a) Mt. Katmai
(b) Mt. Stromboli
(c) Mt. Popa
(d) Mt. Mckenzie

Ans: (a) Mt. Katmai

16. The expansion of pangaea started about-
(a) 20 million years ago
(b) 50 million years ago
(c) 13 million years ago
(d) 62 million years ago

Ans: (d) 62 million years ago

17. Moraines plains are seen in-
(a) Glacial regions
(b) Hot desert regions
(c) Equatorial region
(d) Karst region

Ans: (a) Glacial regions

18. An example of an extinct volcano is-
(a) Stromboli
(b) Mt. Pelee
(c) Fujiyama
(d) Mt. Papa

Ans: (d) Mt. Papa

19. A river which flows through a rift valley is the-
(a) Vistula
(b) Godavari
(c) Seine
(d) Rhine

Ans: (d) Rhine

20. The following is known as ‘tableland’-
(a) Hill
(b) Plateau
(c) Plain
(d) Mountain

Ans: (b) Plateau

21. The Barren island in India is a-
(a) Quasi-extinct volcano
(b) Dormant volcano
(c) Extinct volcano
(d) Active volcano

Ans: (d) Active volcano

22. An example of lava plateau in India is-
(a) Deccan Trap
(b) Chota Nagpur Plateau
(c) Ladakh Plateau
(d) Meghalaya Plateau

Ans: (a) Deccan Trap

23. Large expanses of flood plains are seen in-
(a) Godavari river basin
(b) Narmada river basin
(c) Tapti river basin
(d) Ganges river basin

Ans: (d) Ganges river basin

24. ‘Pediments’ are formed as a result of-
(a) Erosion by glacier
(b) Riverine erosion
(c) Erosion by sea waves
(d) Wind erosion

Ans: (d) Wind erosion

25. Loess plain is found in-
(a) China
(b) India
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Japan

Ans: (a) China

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks

1. A hill formed of hard rock in a peneplain is called ___________. (Monadnock)
2. An erosional mountain in India is ___________. (Aravalli Range)
3. The siberian shield of Russia is a _________ plateau. (Shield)
4. Paricutin in Mexico is a _____________ type of volcano. (Cinder cone)
5. Mt. Vesuvius is a __________ volcano. (Active)
6. Plains have a ___________ population density. (High)
7. Fujiyama is a ___________ crater type of volcano. (Central)
8. The highest plateau in India is ____________. (Ladakh Plateau)
.9. Epeirogenic movement is a type of ___________ movement. (Vertical)
10. Fossils are found only in _____________ rocks. (Sedimentary)

2B. True or false

1. The delta plain is formed by deposition of fine silt. (True)
2. The Great Rift Valley is located in the Pacific Ocean. (False)
3. The plateau of Tibet is a lava plateau. (False)
4. The plates in the earth’s crust are in a stable position. (False)
5. Ladakh plateau is an intermontane plateau. (True)
6. The Barren Island in India is an active volcano. (True)
7. The Black Forest in Germany is a block mountain. (True)
8. The Vesuvius mountain is in Japan. (False)
9. The lower part of a fold mountain is called syncline. (True)
10. Rajmahal is an example of a mountain. (False)
11. The Rhine valley is an example of a rift valley. (True)
12. The Deccan Plateau is an example of an intermontane plateau. (False)

2C. Very short-type questions and answers

1. What is Pangaea?
Ans: Pangaea was a supercontinent in which all the continents were joined together in ancient times.

2. Which is the largest delta in the world?
Ans: The Ganga–Brahmaputra Delta is the largest delta in the world.

3. Give an example of an ancient fold mountain.
Ans: The Aravalli Range is an example of an ancient fold mountain.

4. Give an example of a Karst topography in India.
Ans: The limestone caves of Meghalaya are examples of Karst topography in India.

5. In which geological period were the Himalayas formed?
Ans: The Himalayas were formed during the Tertiary geological period.

6. Which movement leads to the formation of fold mountains?
Ans: Compressional movement leads to the formation of fold mountains.

7. Which is the second highest peak in Indian?
Ans: The second highest peak in India is K2.

8. Give an example of an erosional plateau in India?
Ans: The Deccan Plateau is an example of an erosional plateau in India.

9. What is the upper part of a fold mountain called?
Ans: The upper part of a fold mountain is called an anticline.

10. What is the average altitude of a mountain?
Ans: The average altitude of a mountain is more than 600 metres above sea level.

11. Which is the topmost part of a mountain called?
Ans: The topmost part of a mountain is called the peak.

12. What is the intervening valley between two block mountains called?
Ans: The intervening valley between two block mountains is called a rift valley or graben.

13. What is the main reason for the formation of an uplifted plain?
Ans: Vertical movement of the Earth’s crust is the main reason for the formation of an uplifted plain.

14. Which is the largest plain in the world?
Ans: The Siberian Plain is the largest plain in the world.

15. Give an example of a block mountain in India.
Ans: The Satpura Range is an example of a block mountain in India.

3. Short-type questions and answers

1. What are orogenic movements?
Ans: Orogenic movements are horizontal movements of the Earth’s crust caused by compressional forces. These movements lead to folding and faulting of rocks and result in the formation of fold mountains.

2. What are block mountains?
Ans: Block mountains are formed when large blocks of the Earth’s crust are uplifted between faults and they are also known as horsts.

3. What is geocentric process?
Ans: A geocentric process is an internal process that originates within the Earth due to heat and pressure in the interior and these processes include volcanism, earthquakes and crustal movements.

4. What are fold mountains?
Ans: Fold mountains are mountains formed due to the folding of rock layers under intense compressional forces. These forces act mainly at convergent plate margins. The Himalayas and the Alps are examples of fold mountains.

5. What is plate margin?
Ans: A plate margin is the boundary where two lithospheric plates meet, and it is along these margins that most earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain-building activities take place.

6. What are suture lines?
Ans: Suture lines are zones where two continental plates collide and join together permanently, and the Himalayan Mountains were formed at a suture line.

7. What is a geosyncline?
Ans: A geosyncline is a long and narrow depression on the Earth’s crust where large amounts of sediments are deposited over millions of years. With time, these sediments get compressed and folded to form fold mountains.

8. What is meant by isostactic imbalance?
Ans: Isostatic imbalance means a disturbance in the natural balance of the Earth’s crust. This happens due to processes like erosion, deposition, or tectonic movements so the crust either rises or sinks to restore its balance.

9. What is a depositional hill?
Ans: A depositional hill is a small elevated landform formed by the accumulation of materials like sand, silt or gravel deposited by agents such as wind, running water or glaciers over a long period of time.

10. What is a rift valley?
Ans: A rift valley is a long, narrow depression formed when a block of land sinks between two parallel faults due to tensional forces.

11. Where do you find dissected plateaus in India?
Ans: Dissected plateaus in India are mainly found in the Chotanagpur Plateau and parts of the Deccan Plateau.

12. Where are depositional plains found in India?
Ans: Depositional plains in India are mainly found in the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plain.

13. What is a plain?
Ans: A plain is a wide area of flat or gently sloping land with low elevation which are mainly formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers. They are suitable for agriculture, settlements and transport.

14. What is uplifted plain?
Ans: An uplifted plain is a plain that rises above sea level due to vertical crustal movements.

15. What is subdued plain?
Ans: A subdued plain is a plain formed when a highland area is reduced to a low level by prolonged erosion.

16. What is a mountain peak?
Ans: A mountain peak is the highest pointed part of a mountain.

17. What is shield?
Ans: A shield is an ancient, stable part of the Earth’s crust made of old crystalline rocks.

18. What are “Pillars of Lights’ located in the Mediterranean Sea?
Ans: The “Pillars of Light” refer to the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.

19. Give examples of one uplifted and one subdued plain.
Ans: The Coastal Plain of Tamil Nadu is an example of an uplifted plain, and the Canadian Plain is an example of a subdued plain.

20. What is geotectonic disturbance?
Ans: Geotectonic disturbance refers to sudden movements in the Earth’s crust that cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and faulting.

4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Difference between hills and mountains.
Ans:

Hills	Mountains
Hills are low elevated landforms.	Mountains are very high elevated landforms.
Height is usually below 600 metres.	Height is usually above 600 metres.
Slopes are gentle.	Slopes are steep.
Peaks are rounded.	Peaks are sharp and pointed.

2. Why are fossils found in fold mountain?
Ans: Fossils are found in fold mountains because these mountains are formed from sedimentary rocks deposited in ancient seas called geosynclines. Over millions of years, remains of plants and animals got buried within these sediments. When compressional forces acted on the geosyncline, the sedimentary layers were folded and uplifted to form fold mountains. Since fossils are commonly found in sedimentary rocks, they are preserved in fold mountains such as the Himalayas, proving that these mountains were once under the sea.

3. Difference between Endogenic process and Exogenic process.
Ans:

Endogenic Process	Exogenic Process
Endogenic processes originate inside the Earth.	Exogenic processes act on the Earth’s surface.
Endogenic processes are caused by internal heat and pressure.	Exogenic processes are driven by solar energy and gravity.
These processes create landforms such as mountains and volcanoes.	These processes wear down and modify landforms through erosion and deposition.
Earthquakes and volcanism are examples of endogenic processes.	Erosion, transportation and deposition are examples of exogenic processes.

4. Difference between Mountains, plateau, and plains.
Ans:

Mountains	Plateaus	Plains
Mountains are very high natural landforms rising sharply above the surrounding area.	Plateaus are elevated landforms with a flat or gently sloping top.	Plains are low-lying and nearly flat landforms.
Mountains generally have steep slopes and pointed peaks.	Plateaus have steep sides with a flat top.	Plains have gentle slopes or almost no slope.
Mountains are less suitable for dense human settlement.	Plateaus are moderately suitable for settlement and mining activities.	Plains are highly suitable for agriculture and dense population.
The Himalayas are an example of mountains.	The Deccan Plateau is an example of a plateau.	The Indo-Gangetic Plain is an example of a plain.

5. How are volcano mountains formed?
Ans: Volcanic mountains are formed by volcanic activity originating from the interior of the Earth. When molten magma from the mantle rises through cracks or vents in the Earth’s crust and erupts on the surface, it is called lava. After eruption, the lava cools and solidifies. Repeated eruptions over a long period lead to the accumulation of layers of lava, ash and volcanic materials around the vent. Gradually, these layers build up a conical mountain known as a volcanic mountain. Examples include Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Barren Island in India.

6. Difference between volconic mountain and erosional mountain.
Ans:

Volcanic Mountain	Erosional Mountain
Volcanic mountains are formed by the eruption of lava from the Earth’s interior.	Erosional mountains are formed by long-continued erosion of existing mountains.
Volcanic mountains are generally cone-shaped.	Erosional mountains usually have a rounded shape.
Volcanic mountains are composed mainly of lava, ash and volcanic materials.	Erosional mountains are composed of hard and resistant rocks.
Volcanic mountains may be active, dormant or extinct.	Erosional mountains are very old and highly denuded.
Mount Fuji is an example of a volcanic mountain.	The Aravalli Range is an example of an erosional mountain.

7. Define mountains and classify them.
Ans: Mountains are highly elevated natural landforms with steep slopes and prominent peaks, generally rising more than 600 metres above sea level. They are formed mainly due to endogenic (internal) forces of the Earth.

Type of Mountain	Description	Example
Fold Mountains	Fold mountains are formed due to compressional forces that fold the rock layers of the Earth’s crust. They are usually young, high and rugged with sharp peaks.	The Himalayas
Block Mountains	Block mountains are formed when large blocks of the Earth’s crust are uplifted or downthrown along faults due to tensional forces. They have steep sides and flat tops.	The Satpura Range
Volcanic Mountains	Volcanic mountains are formed by the accumulation of lava, ash and volcanic materials around a volcanic vent after repeated eruptions.	Mount Fuji
Residual Mountains	Residual mountains are formed by long-continued erosion of older mountains, where hard rocks remain after softer rocks are worn away.	The Aravalli Range

8. Difference between fold mountain and block mountain.
Ans:

Fold Mountains	Block Mountains
Fold mountains are formed by compressional forces acting on the Earth’s crust.	Block mountains are formed by tensional forces acting on the Earth’s crust.
In fold mountains, rock layers are bent and folded.	In block mountains, rock layers are fractured and displaced along faults.
Fold mountains are generally found at convergent plate margins.	Block mountains are generally found in regions affected by faulting.
The Himalayas are an example of fold mountains.	The Satpura Range is an example of block mountains.

9. What is plateau? classify plateaus.
Ans: A plateau is an elevated flat or gently sloping landform with steep sides, often called a tableland. Plateaus are formed by tectonic movements, volcanic activity or erosion.

Type of Plateau	Description	Example
Piedmont Plateau	Piedmont plateaus are located at the foot of mountains and are formed by erosional processes.	Patagonia Plateau
Intermontane Plateau	Intermontane plateaus are surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides and are usually very high.	Tibetan Plateau
Volcanic Plateau	Volcanic plateaus are formed by successive lava flows spreading over large areas and solidifying into flat surfaces.	Deccan Plateau