What type of coastal plain are the Western Coastal Plains of India classified as?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Submerged coastal plain

Explanation:

• The Western Coastal Plains of India are classified as submerged coastal plains because parts of the land have been inundated by the sea due to subsidence or sea-level rise.
• These plains lie between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea and are much narrower than the Eastern Coastal Plains.
• Submergence has led to the formation of natural harbours and estuaries, particularly along the Konkan and Malabar coasts.
• These estuaries are formed due to the drowning of river valleys, a classic feature of submerged coastlines.

Information Booster:

• In contrast, the Eastern Coastal Plains are emergent coastlines, formed due to river deposition, resulting in broad deltas like those of the Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery.
• The Western coast’s rivers, like Narmada and Tapti, form estuaries, not deltas, due to the steep gradient and submergence.
• Submerged coasts are typically deep, narrow, and uneven, making them suitable for port development.

Additional Information:

• Option (a) Deltaic coastal plain: Incorrect, as the western coast lacks significant delta formations.
• Option (b) Tidal coastal plain: Not a standard geomorphological classification for Indian coasts.
• Option (c) Emergent coastal plain: Refers to the Eastern Coastal Plains, where land has emerged due to deposition or tectonic uplift.
• The Western Coastal Plains include the Konkan coast (Maharashtra-Goa), Kanara coast (Karnataka), and Malabar coast (Kerala).