95-527: The Eastern Ghats is a mountain range that stretches 1,750 km (1,090 mi) along the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula . Covering an area of 75,000 km (29,000 sq mi), it traverses the states of Odisha , Telangana , Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Tamil Nadu . The range forms a discontinuous chain of mountains along the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau , stretching from north of
190-429: A glacial armor . Ice can not only erode mountains but also protect them from erosion. Depending on glacier regime, even steep alpine lands can be preserved through time with the help of ice. Scientists have proved this theory by sampling eight summits of northwestern Svalbard using Be10 and Al26, showing that northwestern Svalbard transformed from a glacier-erosion state under relatively mild glacial maxima temperature, to
285-426: A considerable depth. A gully is distinguished from a rill based on a critical cross-sectional area of at least one square foot, i.e. the size of a channel that can no longer be erased via normal tillage operations. Extreme gully erosion can progress to formation of badlands . These form under conditions of high relief on easily eroded bedrock in climates favorable to erosion. Conditions or disturbances that limit
380-408: A fall in sea level, can produce a distinctive landform called a raised beach . Chemical erosion is the loss of matter in a landscape in the form of solutes . Chemical erosion is usually calculated from the solutes found in streams. Anders Rapp pioneered the study of chemical erosion in his work about Kärkevagge published in 1960. Formation of sinkholes and other features of karst topography
475-479: A glacier-armor state occupied by cold-based, protective ice during much colder glacial maxima temperatures as the Quaternary ice age progressed. These processes, combined with erosion and transport by the water network beneath the glacier, leave behind glacial landforms such as moraines , drumlins , ground moraine (till), glaciokarst , kames, kame deltas, moulins, and glacial erratics in their wake, typically at
570-464: A homogeneous bedrock erosion pattern, curved channel cross-section beneath the ice is created. Though the glacier continues to incise vertically, the shape of the channel beneath the ice eventually remain constant, reaching a U-shaped parabolic steady-state shape as we now see in glaciated valleys . Scientists also provide a numerical estimate of the time required for the ultimate formation of a steady-shaped U-shaped valley —approximately 100,000 years. In
665-423: A large river can remove enough sediments to produce a river anticline , as isostatic rebound raises rock beds unburdened by erosion of overlying beds. Shoreline erosion, which occurs on both exposed and sheltered coasts, primarily occurs through the action of currents and waves but sea level (tidal) change can also play a role. Hydraulic action takes place when the air in a joint is suddenly compressed by
760-487: A mountain mass similar to the Himalaya into an almost-flat peneplain if there are no significant sea-level changes . Erosion of mountains massifs can create a pattern of equally high summits called summit accordance . It has been argued that extension during post-orogenic collapse is a more effective mechanism of lowering the height of orogenic mountains than erosion. Examples of heavily eroded mountain ranges include
855-501: A wave closing the entrance of the joint. This then cracks it. Wave pounding is when the sheer energy of the wave hitting the cliff or rock breaks pieces off. Abrasion or corrasion is caused by waves launching sea load at the cliff. It is the most effective and rapid form of shoreline erosion (not to be confused with corrosion ). Corrosion is the dissolving of rock by carbonic acid in sea water. Limestone cliffs are particularly vulnerable to this kind of erosion. Attrition
950-412: A weak bedrock (containing material more erodible than the surrounding rocks) erosion pattern, on the contrary, the amount of over deepening is limited because ice velocities and erosion rates are reduced. Glaciers can also cause pieces of bedrock to crack off in the process of plucking. In ice thrusting, the glacier freezes to its bed, then as it surges forward, it moves large sheets of frozen sediment at
1045-488: Is deposited . Erosion is distinct from weathering which involves no movement. Removal of rock or soil as clastic sediment is referred to as physical or mechanical erosion; this contrasts with chemical erosion, where soil or rock material is removed from an area by dissolution . Eroded sediment or solutes may be transported just a few millimetres, or for thousands of kilometres. Agents of erosion include rainfall ; bedrock wear in rivers ; coastal erosion by
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#17330852129071140-421: Is a source of income for people living in the fringes of the ranges. Over harvesting of forest produce for fodder , traditional medicine , and domestic uses along with unscientific extraction methods and burning of forests have been threats. The introduction of alien species either by deliberate or non deliberate means have resulted in competition to native species. The construction of large dams across rivers in
1235-490: Is also more prone to mudslides, landslides, and other forms of gravitational erosion processes. Tectonic processes control rates and distributions of erosion at the Earth's surface. If the tectonic action causes part of the Earth's surface (e.g., a mountain range) to be raised or lowered relative to surrounding areas, this must necessarily change the gradient of the land surface. Because erosion rates are almost always sensitive to
1330-484: Is an example of extreme chemical erosion. Glaciers erode predominantly by three different processes: abrasion/scouring, plucking , and ice thrusting. In an abrasion process, debris in the basal ice scrapes along the bed, polishing and gouging the underlying rocks, similar to sandpaper on wood. Scientists have shown that, in addition to the role of temperature played in valley-deepening, other glaciological processes, such as erosion also control cross-valley variations. In
1425-409: Is distinguished from changes on the bed of the watercourse, which is referred to as scour . Erosion and changes in the form of river banks may be measured by inserting metal rods into the bank and marking the position of the bank surface along the rods at different times. Thermal erosion is the result of melting and weakening permafrost due to moving water. It can occur both along rivers and at
1520-405: Is of two primary varieties: deflation , where the wind picks up and carries away loose particles; and abrasion , where surfaces are worn down as they are struck by airborne particles carried by wind. Deflation is divided into three categories: (1) surface creep , where larger, heavier particles slide or roll along the ground; (2) saltation , where particles are lifted a short height into
1615-524: Is separated by a 160 km (99 mi) wide gorge through which the rivers Godavari and Krishna flow. The hills continue as Javadi and Shevaroy Hills , south of Chennai and meet with the Western Ghats at Nilgiris . The Biligiriranga and Malai Mahadeshwara Hills in Karnataka form a corridor linking the two mountain ranges. At the southern end, the range is made up of several smaller hills such as
1710-404: Is sparse and soil is dry (and so is more erodible). Other climatic factors such as average temperature and temperature range may also affect erosion, via their effects on vegetation and soil properties. In general, given similar vegetation and ecosystems, areas with more precipitation (especially high-intensity rainfall), more wind, or more storms are expected to have more erosion. In some areas of
1805-457: Is the main climatic factor governing soil erosion by water. The relationship is particularly strong if heavy rainfall occurs at times when, or in locations where, the soil's surface is not well protected by vegetation . This might be during periods when agricultural activities leave the soil bare, or in semi-arid regions where vegetation is naturally sparse. Wind erosion requires strong winds, particularly during times of drought when vegetation
1900-400: Is where particles/sea load carried by the waves are worn down as they hit each other and the cliffs. This then makes the material easier to wash away. The material ends up as shingle and sand. Another significant source of erosion, particularly on carbonate coastlines, is boring, scraping and grinding of organisms, a process termed bioerosion . Sediment is transported along the coast in
1995-690: The Appalachian Mountains , intensive farming practices have caused erosion at up to 100 times the natural rate of erosion in the region. Excessive (or accelerated) erosion causes both "on-site" and "off-site" problems. On-site impacts include decreases in agricultural productivity and (on natural landscapes ) ecological collapse , both because of loss of the nutrient-rich upper soil layers . In some cases, this leads to desertification . Off-site effects include sedimentation of waterways and eutrophication of water bodies , as well as sediment-related damage to roads and houses. Water and wind erosion are
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#17330852129072090-508: The Bay of Bengal . As the mountains are discontinuous and have a lower elevation, they have a considerably lesser influence than the Western Ghats on the weather patterns in India. However, orography studies indicate that the range does play a role in bringing rainfall to the eastern coastal areas. The weather is normally dry and humid with seasonal rainfall. There are nine different forest types found in
2185-658: The Great Plains , it is estimated that soil loss due to wind erosion can be as much as 6100 times greater in drought years than in wet years. Mass wasting or mass movement is the downward and outward movement of rock and sediments on a sloped surface, mainly due to the force of gravity . Mass wasting is an important part of the erosional process and is often the first stage in the breakdown and transport of weathered materials in mountainous areas. It moves material from higher elevations to lower elevations where other eroding agents such as streams and glaciers can then pick up
2280-539: The Indian peninsula with the Eastern Ghats forming its rough western boundary. It is wider and leveled than the Western Coastal Plains and traverses the states of Odisha , Andhra Pradesh , and Tamil Nadu . The plains are broadly divided into three subdivisions– Utkal Plains in the north, Andhra plains in the center, and Tamil Nadu plains in the south. The plains are fertile as it forms part of
2375-582: The Indian subcontinent post the break-up of the supercontinent of Rodinia and the formation of Gondwana . The mountains were formed through further metamorphism during the mi Proterozoic era. The northern section of the range has an elevation ranging from 900–1,400 m (3,000–4,600 ft) and lies mostly in Odisha. The middle section stretches up to the Penna River and consists of two parallel ranges with an average elevation of 520 m (1,710 ft). At
2470-574: The Mahanadi River and runs approximately 1,750 km (1,090 mi) to the Vaigai basin in the south of Indian peninsula. It covers an area of 160,000 km (62,000 sq mi), traversing across the Indian states of Odisha (25%), Telangana (5%), Andhra Pradesh (40%), Karnataka (5%), and Tamil Nadu (25%). The Eastern Ghats form a discontinuous chain of mountains with an average elevation of 600 m (2,000 ft) and runs parallel to
2565-582: The Mahanadi River in Odisha to Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu at the southern end of the Indian peninsula. The Eastern Ghats meet with the Western Ghats at Nilgiris . The average elevation is around 600 m (2,000 ft) and Arma Konda is the highest peak in the mountains at 1,680 m (5,510 ft). Geologic evidence indicates that the mountains were formed during the archeozoic era and became part of
2660-560: The Project Elephant protection plans. About 13 eco-sensitive zones have been declared, which are jointly managed with the local communities. East Coast of India The Eastern Coastal Plains is a stretch of landmass lying between the eastern part of the Deccan plateau and the Bay of Bengal in India. The plains stretch from the Mahanadi delta to Kaniyakumari at the southern tip of
2755-504: The Sirumalai . The Eastern Ghats form one of the major watersheds of India with major river systems such as Godavari , Kaveri , Krishna and Mahanadi cutting across the range. Most rivers flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal owing to the steeper gradient moving from east to west. The Eastern Ghats are the source for many small and medium rivers of the east coastal plains. The streams and rivers give rise to numerous waterfalls in
2850-700: The Timanides of Northern Russia. Erosion of this orogen has produced sediments that are now found in the East European Platform , including the Cambrian Sablya Formation near Lake Ladoga . Studies of these sediments indicate that it is likely that the erosion of the orogen began in the Cambrian and then intensified in the Ordovician . If the erosion rate exceeds soil formation , erosion destroys
2945-578: The Tirumala Hills is a major discontinuity of stratigraphic significance that represents an extensive period of erosion and non-deposition , which is evident from the steep natural slopes, and ravines. Along the western edge, sedimentary rocks were deposited due to volcanic activity, which and later formed schist belts. The region consists of bauxite , iron ore and limestone reserves. The major soil types found are red , black , laterite , and alluvial . The Eastern Ghats extend from north of
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3040-416: The accumulation zone above the glacial equilibrium line altitude), which causes increased rates of erosion of the mountain, decreasing mass faster than isostatic rebound can add to the mountain. This provides a good example of a negative feedback loop . Ongoing research is showing that while glaciers tend to decrease mountain size, in some areas, glaciers can actually reduce the rate of erosion, acting as
3135-1120: The critically endangered Indian bustard is found in the region. Common and widespread species include the red-vented bulbul , white-browed bulbul , red-whiskered bulbul , common iora , and purple-rumped sunbird . Five species of birds that are endemic to the Western Ghats region have been sighted in the fringes of the Eastern Ghats. These include grey-headed bulbul , Nilgiri wood pigeon , Malabar parakeet , crimson-backed sunbird , and rufous babbler . Other species of avifauna include laughing dove , Indian nightjar , jungle owlet , red avadavat , Malayan night heron , striated heron , white-naped woodpecker , savanna nightjar , brown hawk-owl , Nilgiri flowerpecker , spot-bellied eagle-owl , blue-eared kingfisher , green imperial pigeon , oriental dwarf kingfisher , Indian swiftlet , and white-browed fantail . Raptors included white-eyed buzzard , grey-headed fish eagle , lesser fish eagle . Two species of critically endangered vultures – Indian vulture and red-headed vulture have been reported in
3230-409: The deltas of major peninsular rivers such as Godavari , Krishna , Mahanadi, and Kaveri . The Eastern Coastal Plains is a stretch of coastal land lying between the eastern edge of the Deccan plateau and the Bay of Bengal in the west. The disjointed mountain range of Eastern Ghats forms a rough western boundary of the plains. The plains stretch from the Mahanadi delta to Kaniyakumari at
3325-547: The eastern coast of India along the Bay of Bengal . The Eastern coastal plains are the 100–130 km (62–81 mi) wide region between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. The average width of the mountains range from 100–200 m (330–660 ft) with the mountains wider in the north and narrower in the south. Arma Konda is the highest peak in the mountains at 1,680 m (5,510 ft). The range can be roughly divided into three separate sections. The northern section of
3420-405: The impact of a falling raindrop creates a small crater in the soil , ejecting soil particles. The distance these soil particles travel can be as much as 0.6 m (2.0 ft) vertically and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) horizontally on level ground. If the soil is saturated , or if the rainfall rate is greater than the rate at which water can infiltrate into the soil, surface runoff occurs. If
3515-455: The lower crust and mantle . Because tectonic processes are driven by gradients in the stress field developed in the crust, this unloading can in turn cause tectonic or isostatic uplift in the region. In some cases, it has been hypothesised that these twin feedbacks can act to localize and enhance zones of very rapid exhumation of deep crustal rocks beneath places on the Earth's surface with extremely high erosion rates, for example, beneath
3610-484: The paleogene and neogene eras. The sands in the beaches consists of small granites and zircon . The vegetation consists of littoral forests on the coasts and tropical moist deciduous forests inland. Chilika Lake , the largest lake in the region is a brackish lagoon . The Andhra Plains (Circars) extend from the south of the Utkal Plain to Pulicat Lake , north of Chennai . The coastal plains are widest in
3705-407: The surface runoff which may result from rainfall, produces four main types of soil erosion : splash erosion , sheet erosion , rill erosion , and gully erosion . Splash erosion is generally seen as the first and least severe stage in the soil erosion process, which is followed by sheet erosion, then rill erosion and finally gully erosion (the most severe of the four). In splash erosion ,
3800-499: The 21st century, a strong link has been drawn between the increase in storm frequency with an increase in sediment load in rivers and reservoirs, highlighting the impacts climate change can have on erosion. Vegetation acts as an interface between the atmosphere and the soil. It increases the permeability of the soil to rainwater, thus decreasing runoff. It shelters the soil from winds, which results in decreased wind erosion, as well as advantageous changes in microclimate. The roots of
3895-1097: The Eastern Ghats and more than ten new species have been discovered in the region since the early 2010s. About 184 species of ferns , and 190 species of orchids have been recorded in the region. Commercially viable tree species include Indian rosewood , teak , mahogany , and red sandalwood . Mammals found in the region include the Bengal tiger , leopard , sloth bear , striped hyena , Indian wild dog , golden jackal , Indian fox , and other cat species such as jungle cat , fishing cat , and leopard cat . Large herbivores include Indian elephant , blackbuck , sambar deer , spotted deer , barking deer , Indian gazelle , four-horned antelope , Indian bison , wild boar , Indian crested porcupine , mouse deer , and nilgai . Other smaller mammals include grey slender loris , Indian hare , Indian hedgehog , Indian mongoose , mole rat , smooth coated otter , Indian pangolin , palm civet , Indian giant flying squirrel , and Madras treeshrew . Bonnet macaque , rhesus macaque , and Hanuman langur are
Eastern Ghats - Misplaced Pages Continue
3990-783: The Eastern Ghats region has lost about 32,200 km (12,400 sq mi) forest cover between 1920 to 2015. Forests which occupied 43.5% of the land area reduced by nearly 16 percent. An estimated 7.92 percent of the forest area converted for agriculture and 3.80 percent to grasslands from 1920 to 2015. As of 2018, only 3.53 percent of the total area was declared as protected areas . The major threats included illegal logging , mining , grazing , agriculture , forest fires and tourism , poaching , and illegal tapping of forest resources which have resulted in deforestation and fragmentation of forests. Various natural disasters such as heavy rainfalls, extreme temperature, environmental changes, competition due to invasive species have been threats to
4085-503: The Kaveri delta region as one of the major centers of agriculture. The coast itself has sparse vegetation with marshlands dotted with coconut and palm trees. Erosion Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind ) that removes soil , rock , or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust and then transports it to another location where it
4180-433: The air, and bounce and saltate across the surface of the soil; and (3) suspension , where very small and light particles are lifted into the air by the wind, and are often carried for long distances. Saltation is responsible for the majority (50–70%) of wind erosion, followed by suspension (30–40%), and then surface creep (5–25%). Wind erosion is much more severe in arid areas and during times of drought. For example, in
4275-413: The amount of eroded material that is already carried by, for example, a river or glacier. The transport of eroded materials from their original location is followed by deposition, which is arrival and emplacement of material at a new location. While erosion is a natural process, human activities have increased by 10–40 times the rate at which soil erosion is occurring globally. At agriculture sites in
4370-463: The base along with the glacier. This method produced some of the many thousands of lake basins that dot the edge of the Canadian Shield . Differences in the height of mountain ranges are not only being the result tectonic forces, such as rock uplift, but also local climate variations. Scientists use global analysis of topography to show that glacial erosion controls the maximum height of mountains, as
4465-435: The biodiversity in the region. The absence of pollinators have also had an effect on the natural regeneration of vegetation. Till 1980, logging was a major contributor for the loss of forest cover with decrease in tree species such as teak , sal , red sanders , and sandalwood . Though laws in 1988 curtailed illegal logging, wood is still quarried by people for making charcoal , firewood , and construction. Forest produce
4560-512: The coast. Rapid river channel migration observed in the Lena River of Siberia is due to thermal erosion, as these portions of the banks are composed of permafrost-cemented non-cohesive materials. Much of this erosion occurs as the weakened banks fail in large slumps. Thermal erosion also affects the Arctic coast , where wave action and near-shore temperatures combine to undercut permafrost bluffs along
4655-409: The coastline. Where there is a bend in the coastline, quite often a buildup of eroded material occurs forming a long narrow bank (a spit ). Armoured beaches and submerged offshore sandbanks may also protect parts of a coastline from erosion. Over the years, as the shoals gradually shift, the erosion may be redirected to attack different parts of the shore. Erosion of a coastal surface, followed by
4750-413: The collision of crustal rocks during the archeozoic era. Geologic evidence indicates that these became part of the Indian subcontinent following the break-up of the super-continent of Rodinia and the creation of Gondwana . The mountains were formed over million of years through metamorphism , and erosion and are significantly older than the Western Ghats . The rock layers were largely formed during
4845-717: The context, could either refer to a range of stepped hills such as the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, or a series of steps leading down to a body of water or wharf . As per linguist Thomas Burrow , the word Ghat was derived from similar words used in various Dravidian languages such as kattu (mountain side, ridge, or dam) in Tamil , katte (dam), gatta (mountain), and gattu (bank or shore) in Kannada , and katta (dam), and gatte (shore or embankment) in Telugu . The Eastern Ghats are an ancient orogenic belt which started forming during
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#17330852129074940-411: The direction of the prevailing current ( longshore drift ). When the upcurrent supply of sediment is less than the amount being carried away, erosion occurs. When the upcurrent amount of sediment is greater, sand or gravel banks will tend to form as a result of deposition . These banks may slowly migrate along the coast in the direction of the longshore drift, alternately protecting and exposing parts of
5035-405: The extremely steep terrain of Nanga Parbat in the western Himalayas . Such a place has been called a " tectonic aneurysm ". Human land development, in forms including agricultural and urban development, is considered a significant factor in erosion and sediment transport , which aggravate food insecurity . In Taiwan, increases in sediment load in the northern, central, and southern regions of
5130-575: The flood regions result from glacial Lake Missoula , which created the channeled scablands in the Columbia Basin region of eastern Washington . Wind erosion is a major geomorphological force, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. It is also a major source of land degradation, evaporation, desertification, harmful airborne dust, and crop damage—especially after being increased far above natural rates by human activities such as deforestation , urbanization , and agriculture . Wind erosion
5225-417: The growth of protective vegetation ( rhexistasy ) are a key element of badland formation. Valley or stream erosion occurs with continued water flow along a linear feature. The erosion is both downward , deepening the valley , and headward , extending the valley into the hillside, creating head cuts and steep banks. In the earliest stage of stream erosion, the erosive activity is dominantly vertical,
5320-411: The island can be tracked with the timeline of development for each region throughout the 20th century. The intentional removal of soil and rock by humans is a form of erosion that has been named lisasion . Mountain ranges take millions of years to erode to the degree they effectively cease to exist. Scholars Pitman and Golovchenko estimate that it takes probably more than 450 million years to erode
5415-539: The island of Sriharikota . The region is very fertile due to the aluvium deposited by the rivers and supports agriculture . The Tamil Nadu Plains (Coromandel) stretches for 675 km (419 mi) from the south of Pulicat Lake to Kanniyakumari at the southern end of the Indian peninsula . The average width is about 100 km (62 mi) with the plains widest at the Kaveri delta at 130 km (81 mi). The fertile soil and irrigation facilities have made
5510-409: The local slope (see above), this will change the rates of erosion in the uplifted area. Active tectonics also brings fresh, unweathered rock towards the surface, where it is exposed to the action of erosion. However, erosion can also affect tectonic processes. The removal by erosion of large amounts of rock from a particular region, and its deposition elsewhere, can result in a lightening of the load on
5605-973: The lower regions receive 60–110 cm (24–43 in) of rain. The temperature is lowest in the winter month of January with an average of 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). The higher hill ranges are generally wetter and cooler with the lower parts remaining semi-arid and dry. The coastal regions experience tropical cyclones during the monsoon season. There are nine forest types in the Eastern Ghats region, namely tropical evergreen , semi-evergreen , moist deciduous , riverine , southern dry deciduous , northern dry deciduous , dry savannah , thorn scrub , and dry evergreen forests . The vegetation varies considerably with altitude with scrubs and dry forests at lower altitudes and deciduous, semi-evergreen forests, and evergreen forests at higher altitudes. Tropical evergreen forests occur in small patches in Shevroy in Tamil Nadu and in north Andhra Pradesh. Semi-evergreen forests are found in
5700-408: The major primates . The region is also home to more than 15 species of bats . Bird surveys have found about 425 species belonging to 57 families in the region. Four species of hornbills are found in the region and are considered keystone species . The Jerdon's courser was thought to be extinct in the wild before it was re-discovered in the range in 1986. More than 50% of the wild population of
5795-418: The material and move it to even lower elevations. Mass-wasting processes are always occurring continuously on all slopes; some mass-wasting processes act very slowly; others occur very suddenly, often with disastrous results. Any perceptible down-slope movement of rock or sediment is often referred to in general terms as a landslide . However, landslides can be classified in a much more detailed way that reflects
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#17330852129075890-407: The material has begun to slide downhill. In some cases, the slump is caused by water beneath the slope weakening it. In many cases it is simply the result of poor engineering along highways where it is a regular occurrence. Surface creep is the slow movement of soil and rock debris by gravity which is usually not perceptible except through extended observation. However, the term can also describe
5985-438: The mechanisms responsible for the movement and the velocity at which the movement occurs. One of the visible topographical manifestations of a very slow form of such activity is a scree slope. Slumping happens on steep hillsides, occurring along distinct fracture zones, often within materials like clay that, once released, may move quite rapidly downhill. They will often show a spoon-shaped isostatic depression , in which
6080-445: The mid proterozoic era by the accumulation of silt , carbonates and basalt which later became khondalite and calcium silicate rocks. The major rock types found are charnockite , granite , khondalite, metamorphic , and quartzite . In the mesoproterozoic era, the range was compacted and re-aligned north-east. The structure includes multiple thrusts and strike-slip faults along its range. The Eparchaean Unconformity of
6175-484: The morphologic impact of glaciations on active orogens, by both influencing their height, and by altering the patterns of erosion during subsequent glacial periods via a link between rock uplift and valley cross-sectional shape. At extremely high flows, kolks , or vortices are formed by large volumes of rapidly rushing water. Kolks cause extreme local erosion, plucking bedrock and creating pothole-type geographical features called rock-cut basins . Examples can be seen in
6270-404: The most erosion occurs during times of flood when more and faster-moving water is available to carry a larger sediment load. In such processes, it is not the water alone that erodes: suspended abrasive particles, pebbles , and boulders can also act erosively as they traverse a surface, in a process known as traction . Bank erosion is the wearing away of the banks of a stream or river. This
6365-442: The most forest fires in 2014. With more than 90% of these fires caused by humans, this has resulted in loss of forest cover. Practices such as shifting cultivation , plantations , and illegal encroachments are the major agricultural contributors to deforestation. Increased urbanisation , and expansion of cities, construction of roads and railways, and tourism have led to encroachments into forest lands, and threats to bio-diversity in
6460-582: The north, Andhra plains (Circars) in the center, and Tamil Nadu plains (Coromandel) in the south. The Utkal Plains form a major part of Odisha and stretch from the southern end of the Indo-Gangetic plains to the Andhra plains in the south. The region is drained by rivers such as Mahanadi , Brahmani , Baitarani , and Subarnarekha . The region consists of fertile red and black soil interspersed with gneiss and sandstone rock formations formed during
6555-529: The northern section and southern fringes. Moist deciduous forests occur in Odisha and Nallamala in Andhra Pradesh–;Telangana. Dry deciduous, dry savannah and scrub forets occur across the range. Dry evergreen forests are limited to south Andhra Pradesh, and north Tamil Nadu. The region is home to more than 4500 species of angiosperms , which account for 13% of the flowering plant species in India. About 166 species of flowering plants are endemic to
6650-434: The nutrient-rich upper soil layers . In some cases, the eventual result is desertification . Off-site effects include sedimentation of waterways and eutrophication of water bodies, as well as sediment-related damage to roads and houses. Water and wind erosion are the two primary causes of land degradation ; combined, they are responsible for about 84% of the global extent of degraded land , making excessive erosion one of
6745-411: The order of a few centimetres (about an inch) or less and along-channel slopes may be quite steep. This means that rills exhibit hydraulic physics very different from water flowing through the deeper, wider channels of streams and rivers. Gully erosion occurs when runoff water accumulates and rapidly flows in narrow channels during or immediately after heavy rains or melting snow, removing soil to
6840-556: The plants bind the soil together, and interweave with other roots, forming a more solid mass that is less susceptible to both water and wind erosion. The removal of vegetation increases the rate of surface erosion. The topography of the land determines the velocity at which surface runoff will flow, which in turn determines the erosivity of the runoff. Longer, steeper slopes (especially those without adequate vegetative cover) are more susceptible to very high rates of erosion during heavy rains than shorter, less steep slopes. Steeper terrain
6935-451: The range does play a role in rainfall patterns along the coast. The range blocks winds at the low level which brings rainfall to the eastern coastal plains. The Eastern Ghats region has a tropical climate and receives rainfall from the monsoon . It is hot in the summers with temperatures reaching 44 °C (111 °F) during summer with humidity levels of 65-75%. The northern region receives 120–150 cm (47–59 in) of rainfall and
7030-529: The range lies majorly in Odisha and stretches from Similipal hills in the north to the Andhra Pradesh border. It has an elevation ranging from 900–1,400 m (3,000–4,600 ft) with the highest peak at Deomali (1672 m). The central section lies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and stretches up to the Penna River . It consists of two parallel ranges with an average elevation of 520 m (1,710 ft) and
7125-418: The region have submerged more than 2,300 km (890 sq mi) of forest cover. The Eastern Ghats region is rich in minerals and semi-precious stones . Illegal mining, poor mining processes, over exploitation, and unsafe disposal of debris have resulted in issues bio-degeneration of the areas. Eight of the 29 forest fire prone districts are located in the region and, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh recorded
7220-402: The region including evergreen , deciduos and thorn forests. The Eastern Ghats region contains a large number of different species of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic to this region. The name Eastern Ghats derives from the word ghat and the cardinal direction in which it is located with respect to the Indian mainland. Ghat , a term used in the Indian subcontinent , depending on
7315-417: The region including toads , pond frogs , cricket frogs , bull frogs , burrowing frogs , balloon frogs , small-mouthed frogs , tree frogs , and golden-backed frogs . There are also about 155 species of freshwater fish from 28 families found across the waters in the region. Insects include nearly 150 species of butterflies and nine species of tarantulas amongst others. A 2017 study indicated that
7410-474: The region with a significant portion formed by the deltas of the largest peninsular rivers Godavari and Krishna . The two river deltas form a contiguous single physiographic unit and cut across a 160 km (99 mi) wide gorge in the Eastern Ghats . The deltas have advanced towards the Bay of Bengal , which has pushed the Kolleru Lake inwards. The Pulicat Lake is interrupted by a sand spit which forms
7505-461: The region. The Government of India had enacted various policies over the years to address the environmental concerns, access to forest resources, and protection of wildlife. Three national parks , two biosphere reserves , and 22 wildlife sanctuaries are present in the Eastern Ghats region. The protected areas include five tiger reserves under the Project Tiger , and an elephant reserve under
7600-632: The region. There are about 99 reptile species found in the region. These include Indian monitor lizard , and endemic species such as Yercaud slender gecko , burrowing limbless skink , spotted Eastern Ghats skink , and Madras spotted skink . The Indian golden gecko , and Jeypore ground gecko were rediscovered in 1986 and 2010 respectively. Other reptiles include geckos , skinks , lacertas , iguanas , chameleons , and monitors . Snakes include blind snakes , shield-tailed snakes , sand boas , cobras , vipers , kraits , coral snakes , and python . There are about 100 species of amphibians found in
7695-518: The region. The region also consists of many wetlands and large coastal lagoons such as the Chilika , Kolleru and Pulicat lakes. The rivers have been dammed for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes, with major reservoirs spread across the region. As the mountains are discontinuous and have a lower elevation, they have a considerably lesser influence than the Western Ghats on the weather patterns in India . However, orography studies indicate that
7790-413: The relief between mountain peaks and the snow line are generally confined to altitudes less than 1500 m. The erosion caused by glaciers worldwide erodes mountains so effectively that the term glacial buzzsaw has become widely used, which describes the limiting effect of glaciers on the height of mountain ranges. As mountains grow higher, they generally allow for more glacial activity (especially in
7885-828: The rolling of dislodged soil particles 0.5 to 1.0 mm (0.02 to 0.04 in) in diameter by wind along the soil surface. On the continental slope , erosion of the ocean floor to create channels and submarine canyons can result from the rapid downslope flow of sediment gravity flows , bodies of sediment-laden water that move rapidly downslope as turbidity currents . Where erosion by turbidity currents creates oversteepened slopes it can also trigger underwater landslides and debris flows . Turbidity currents can erode channels and canyons into substrates ranging from recently deposited unconsolidated sediments to hard crystalline bedrock. Almost all continental slopes and deep ocean basins display such channels and canyons resulting from sediment gravity flows and submarine canyons act as conduits for
7980-515: The runoff has sufficient flow energy , it will transport loosened soil particles ( sediment ) down the slope. Sheet erosion is the transport of loosened soil particles by overland flow. Rill erosion refers to the development of small, ephemeral concentrated flow paths which function as both sediment source and sediment delivery systems for erosion on hillslopes. Generally, where water erosion rates on disturbed upland areas are greatest, rills are active. Flow depths in rills are typically of
8075-666: The sea and waves ; glacial plucking , abrasion , and scour; areal flooding; wind abrasion; groundwater processes; and mass movement processes in steep landscapes like landslides and debris flows . The rates at which such processes act control how fast a surface is eroded. Typically, physical erosion proceeds the fastest on steeply sloping surfaces, and rates may also be sensitive to some climatically controlled properties including amounts of water supplied (e.g., by rain), storminess, wind speed, wave fetch , or atmospheric temperature (especially for some ice-related processes). Feedbacks are also possible between rates of erosion and
8170-532: The shoreline and cause them to fail. Annual erosion rates along a 100-kilometre (62-mile) segment of the Beaufort Sea shoreline averaged 5.6 metres (18 feet) per year from 1955 to 2002. Most river erosion happens nearer to the mouth of a river. On a river bend, the longest least sharp side has slower moving water. Here deposits build up. On the narrowest sharpest side of the bend, there is faster moving water so this side tends to erode away mostly. Rapid erosion by
8265-593: The soil. Lower rates of erosion can prevent the formation of soil features that take time to develop. Inceptisols develop on eroded landscapes that, if stable, would have supported the formation of more developed Alfisols . While erosion of soils is a natural process, human activities have increased by 10-40 times the rate at which erosion occurs globally. Excessive (or accelerated) erosion causes both "on-site" and "off-site" problems. On-site impacts include decreases in agricultural productivity and (on natural landscapes ) ecological collapse , both because of loss of
8360-498: The southern end, the range is made up of several smaller hills. The Eastern Ghats forms a part of one of the major watersheds of India, consisting of many perennial river systems such as the Godavari , Krishna , Mahanadi and Kaveri . Because of the higher elevation of the Deccan plateau on the west, most rivers originate from the Western Ghats and flow eastwards to cut across the range to
8455-475: The southern tip of the Indian peninsula and traverses the states of Odisha , Andhra Pradesh , Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry . It is wider and leveled than the Western Coastal Plains and both the coastal plains meet at Kaniyakumari. The average width of the plains vary between 35–200 km (22–124 mi) with an average width of 120 km (75 mi). The plains are broadly divided into three subdivisions– Utkal Plains in
8550-433: The terminus or during glacier retreat . The best-developed glacial valley morphology appears to be restricted to landscapes with low rock uplift rates (less than or equal to 2mm per year) and high relief, leading to long-turnover times. Where rock uplift rates exceed 2mm per year, glacial valley morphology has generally been significantly modified in postglacial time. Interplay of glacial erosion and tectonic forcing governs
8645-409: The transfer of sediment from the continents and shallow marine environments to the deep sea. Turbidites , which are the sedimentary deposits resulting from turbidity currents, comprise some of the thickest and largest sedimentary sequences on Earth, indicating that the associated erosional processes must also have played a prominent role in Earth's history. The amount and intensity of precipitation
8740-563: The two primary causes of land degradation ; combined, they are responsible for about 84% of the global extent of degraded land, making excessive erosion one of the most significant environmental problems worldwide. Intensive agriculture , deforestation , roads , anthropogenic climate change and urban sprawl are amongst the most significant human activities in regard to their effect on stimulating erosion. However, there are many prevention and remediation practices that can curtail or limit erosion of vulnerable soils. Rainfall , and
8835-427: The valleys have a typical V-shaped cross-section and the stream gradient is relatively steep. When some base level is reached, the erosive activity switches to lateral erosion, which widens the valley floor and creates a narrow floodplain. The stream gradient becomes nearly flat, and lateral deposition of sediments becomes important as the stream meanders across the valley floor. In all stages of stream erosion, by far
8930-550: The world (e.g. western Europe ), runoff and erosion result from relatively low intensities of stratiform rainfall falling onto the previously saturated soil. In such situations, rainfall amount rather than intensity is the main factor determining the severity of soil erosion by water. According to the climate change projections, erosivity will increase significantly in Europe and soil erosion may increase by 13–22.5% by 2050 In Taiwan , where typhoon frequency increased significantly in
9025-491: The world (e.g. the mid-western US ), rainfall intensity is the primary determinant of erosivity (for a definition of erosivity check, ) with higher intensity rainfall generally resulting in more soil erosion by water. The size and velocity of rain drops is also an important factor. Larger and higher-velocity rain drops have greater kinetic energy , and thus their impact will displace soil particles by larger distances than smaller, slower-moving rain drops. In other regions of
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