Aravalli's, Sahyadri's & other Important Hill ranges of India

Aravalli Hills

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Origin: Gujarat (Palanpur)
Extent: Up to Haryana, terminating at the Delhi Ridge.
Length: 800 km.
Type: Old fold mountain range, one of the oldest tectonic mountains in the world.
Age: Rocks are over 2 billion years old.
Elevation: Average height of 400-600 meters; some peaks rise above 1000 meters.
Notable Peaks:
- Mt. Gurushikhar (1722 m, highest point in the Aravallis)
- Mt. Abu (1158 m, part of a plateau)
Geology: Composed mainly of Dharwar igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Mineral Deposits: Largest marble deposits in India.
Rivers: Banas (tributary of Chambal), Luni (ephemeral, terminates in the Rann of Kutch), Sabarmati.
Passes: Several passes, notably between Udaipur and Ajmer (e.g., Piplighat, Dewair, Desuri).
Lakes:
- Lake Sambhar (largest inland saline water body in India)
- Lake Dhebar (south of Aravallis)
- Lake Jaisamand (Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary)

Vindhyan Range

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Satpura Range

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Western Ghats (Sahyadris)

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Formation: Formed by the subduction of the Arabian basin and tilting during the Himalayan uplift.
Appearance: Block mountains on the west, with escarpments and stairway formations (Treppen). The eastern section is a rolling plateau.
Geographical Spread:
- Six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity globally.
Impact on Monsoon: Intercepts rain-laden winds from the southwest monsoon.
Sections:
- Northern Western Ghats:
  - Location: Between Tapi Valley and 16° N latitude.
  - Composition: Basaltic lava cover (Deccan Traps).
  - Notable Peaks: Kalsubai (1,646 m), Salher (1,567 m), Mahabaleshwar (1,438 m).
  - Passes: Thal Ghat and Bhor Ghat.
- Middle Sahyadri (Central Western Ghats):
  - Location: Between 16°N and the Nilgiri Hills.
  - Composition: Granites and gneisses.
  - Notable Peaks: Vavul Mala (2,339 m), Kudremukh (1,892 m), Pashpagiri (1,714 m).
  - Nilgiri Hills: Doda Betta (2,637 m), Makurti (2,554 m).
  - Features: Dense forests, waterfalls (e.g., Jog Falls), river Kaveri originates from Brahmagiri Hills.
- Southern Western Ghats:
  - Location: Separated from the main Sahyadri range by the Palakkad Gap.
  - Notable Peaks: Anai Mudi (2,695 m), Anaimalai (1,800-2,000 m), Palani (900-1,200 m), Cardamom Hills.
  - Features: Palakkad Gap, a rift valley, allows monsoon clouds to penetrate inland.
  - Passes: Palghat Gap connects Tamil Nadu plains with Kerala's coastal plain.

Eastern Ghats

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Comparison Between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

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Western Ghats	Eastern Ghats
600-1200 m, higher in the south	150-300 m
Rock System: Chernochete	Gneiss, Khondalite, Dharwar
Upliftment due to tilting	Further subdued
Major watershed for southern India	Poor watershed
Treppen formation, block mountains	Denudation, ancient fold mountains
Dense forests	Less forested (dry to moist deciduous)
Laterite soils	Red sandy soils
150+ cm rainfall along west coast	60-100 cm rainfall

Significance of the Peninsular Plateau

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xplore the major hill ranges of India including the Aravalli Hills, Vindhyan Range, Satpura Range, Western Ghats (Sahyadris), and Eastern Ghats. Learn about their origins, geographies, and significance.

Aravalli's, Sahyadri's & other Important Hill ranges of India

Aravalli Hills

Vindhyan Range

Satpura Range

Western Ghats (Sahyadris)

Eastern Ghats

Comparison Between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

Significance of the Peninsular Plateau