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Consider the following statements:
The western coastal plains are emergent whereas the eastern coastal plains are submergent.
  • The western coast consists of recent tertiary alluvial deposits, whereas the eastern coast is dominated by lagoons.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • a)
      1 only
    • b)
      2 only
    • c)
      Both 1 and 2
    • d)
      Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    Consider the following statements: The western coastal plains are ...
    The correct answer is option 'D', neither 1 nor 2. Let's analyze each statement and understand why.

    1) The western coastal plains are emergent whereas the eastern coastal plains are submergent.

    Emergent coastlines are those that are rising or uplifting, while submergent coastlines are those that are sinking or submerging. However, this statement is incorrect as both the western and eastern coastal plains of India are submergent in nature.

    - The Western Coastal Plains: These plains run parallel to the Arabian Sea and are a narrow strip of land along the western coast of India. They are characterized by a series of lagoons, estuaries, and backwaters. These coastal plains have been formed due to the submergence of the western part of the Indian peninsula.

    - The Eastern Coastal Plains: These plains lie along the Bay of Bengal and are also a narrow strip of land along the eastern coast of India. They are also submergent in nature and have been formed due to the submergence of the eastern part of the Indian peninsula.

    Therefore, both the western and eastern coastal plains are submergent, not emergent.

    2) The western coast consists of recent tertiary alluvial deposits, whereas the eastern coast is dominated by lagoons.

    This statement is also incorrect. Let's examine the characteristics of both the western and eastern coastal plains to understand why.

    - The Western Coastal Plains: These plains are characterized by the deposition of sediment carried by rivers such as the Narmada, Tapi, and Mahi. They are primarily composed of laterite soil, which is a red, leached, and weathered soil. The western coast is known for its beautiful beaches, rocky shores, and wide estuaries.

    - The Eastern Coastal Plains: These plains are formed by the deposition of sediment carried by rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. They are composed of fertile alluvial soil, which is ideal for agriculture. The eastern coast is known for its deltas, mangrove forests, and numerous lagoons.

    Therefore, the western coast is not dominated by recent tertiary alluvial deposits, and the eastern coast is not solely dominated by lagoons. Both coasts have different characteristics in terms of soil composition, landforms, and ecosystems.

    In summary, neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct. Both the western and eastern coastal plains of India are submergent in nature, and they have distinct characteristics in terms of soil composition, landforms, and ecosystems.
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    Community Answer
    Consider the following statements: The western coastal plains are ...
    The Peninsular plateau of India is flanked by narrow coastal plains of varied width from north to south, known as Western coastal plains and the East coastal plains. These coastal plains differ from each other. They were formed by the depositional action of the rivers and the depositional and erosional action of the sea waves.
    According to geologists their origin maybe attributed to the faulting and subsidence of Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
    Statement 1 is incorrect. The western coastal plains show evidence of emergence in the south on the Malabar coast (Kerala). From the coast of Gujarat till Malabar the western coastal plains are submergent in nature. The eastern coastal plains are emergent on the other hand.
    Statement 2 is incorrect. The eastern coastal plains are formed by the alluvial fillings of the littoral zone comprising some of the largest deltas in the world. Thus, the eastern coastal plains and not the western coastal plains consist mostly of recent and tertiary alluvial deposits. The Western coastal plains are dominated by shallow backwaters and lagoons known as Kayals and Teris.
    Knowledge Base: Eastern Coast of India
    • It extends from the Ganga delta to Kanyakumari.
    • This coast is emergent type which is characterised by offshore bars, sea beaches and lagoons.
    • It is aggradational plain (It is a term used in geology for the increase in land elevation, typically in a river system, due to the deposition of sediment) formed by the rivers sediments.
    • Get maximum cyclonic storms and fit for predominantly rice and jute cultivation.
    • It is sandy with alluvium and slopes gently towards the sea. Sand dunes and marshy lands are also found.
    In some Coastal strips lagoons (Chilka, Pulicat) are formed.
    • It has straight shorelines and consists mainly of recent and tertiary alluvium deposits.
    • It is washed by the Bay of Bengal.
    • It receives comparatively low rainfall.
    • It receives rain from North East Monsoons.
    • Regional names of Eastern Coast: Odisha= Utkal Coast; Tamil Nadu= Coromandel Coast or Payan Ghat.
    Western Coast of India
    • The west coast extends from the Gulf of Cambay in the north to Cape Comorin.
    • It is fault coast and shows marks of subsidence except in Malabar coast in south where evidence of emergence is found.
    • It is narrow plain drained by many swift but small rivers.
    • Estuaries are predominantly instead of deltas as in Eastern coast.
    • It is relatively rocky with sand and sand dunes. It slopes abruptly down to the sea.
      There is no lagoon on the northern part. It has many estuaries on the Konkan Coast. But the southern part especially the Malabar Coast has the beautiful scene of back-water country with a series of lagoons. Backwaters locally called Kayals are found in Malabar Coast, e.g. Vembanad Lake.
    • Western continental margin is much broader than the Eastern counterpart.
    • It is washed by the Arabian Sea.
    • It receives heavy rainfall.
    • It receives rain from South West Monsoons.
    • Regional names of the western coast: Konkan coast = Maharashtra coast and Goa coast; Malabar Coast = Kerala and Karnataka coast.
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    Consider the following statements: The western coastal plains are emergent whereas the eastern coastal plains are submergent. The western coast consists of recent tertiary alluvial deposits, whereas the eastern coast is dominated by lagoons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Consider the following statements: The western coastal plains are emergent whereas the eastern coastal plains are submergent. The western coast consists of recent tertiary alluvial deposits, whereas the eastern coast is dominated by lagoons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements: The western coastal plains are emergent whereas the eastern coastal plains are submergent. The western coast consists of recent tertiary alluvial deposits, whereas the eastern coast is dominated by lagoons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements: The western coastal plains are emergent whereas the eastern coastal plains are submergent. The western coast consists of recent tertiary alluvial deposits, whereas the eastern coast is dominated by lagoons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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