There are generally four types of plains that exist in the world namely, Erosional plains, Depositional plains, Structural plains and Abyssal plains. A plain is a broad region that generally does not show much variation in its elevation. Plains are formed either by the movement of earth's crust or by the action of natural agents like rivers, wind, glaciers, etc. Plains can occur along the bottoms of the valleys, along the coastlines, along the sides of the rivers or can occur next to the plateaus. The examples of plains in the world include Great Plains of USA, Nile Plains of Egypt, Great Northern Plains of India, etc.
Different Types of Plains
The formational facts about different types of plains in the world are explained below.
Erosional Plains
Different natural agents like winds, rivers, glaciers, rains, sea waves, etc. slowly erode the surface of the land over a period of time. The plains, once located at higher elevation, thus formed by the process of erosion are called Erosional plains.
See AlsoCan I Still Buy Great Plains Accounting Software?Very Short Answer Question.Name some plains of India.These types of plains are not perfectly flat and thus sometimes they are called Peneplains. Finland, lowlands of Canada, German plains, West Siberian plain of Russia, lowlands of US are some of the examples of Erosional plains.
Depositional Plains
Some plains of the world are formed by gradual deposition of silt and other materials that are brought by various transporting agents like rivers, wind or glaciers. Plains thus formed by such a process are known as Depositional plains.
- The plains that are formed by glacial action are known as Glacial plains. These can be classified into two types of plains, namely Sandur plains and Till plains.
A Sandur plain is an outwash plain formed of glacial sediments deposited by the glacial melt-water at the
end of a glacier.Till plains are formed when a
sheet of glacial ice gets separated from the main glacier and starts to melt at a place and thus depositing the sediments there. The Canadian plains and the plains in North-Western Europe are examples of the glacial plains. - The plains that are formed by the deposition of silt due to the action of the rivers are called Alluvial plains. Flood plains are one of the features of these types of plains. In Flood plains, the sediments, which are brought by the flood water, are piled up on the banks of the river.
The Great Northern Plains of India, Nile Plains of Egypt, Mississippi Plains of US are some examples of Alluvial plains.
- The plains that are formed by the action of wind are called Loess plains. Gobi desert is a classic example of Loess plain.
- The plains that are formed by glacial action are known as Glacial plains. These can be classified into two types of plains, namely Sandur plains and Till plains.
Structural Plains
Due to the movement of the earth, sometimes
uplifting or depressing of the crustmay happen. Such an action can form a plain, which is called Structural plain. The Steppes of Russia, Great Plains of USA, etc. are some of the examples of Structural plains.
The difference between structural plains and depositional plains is that the former ones are relatively undisturbed plains and the later are the continuously happening ones.
Abyssal Plains
These are a kind of different types of plains as they are located inside the seas and the oceans. These are very gently sloping or flat regions deep inside the sea or ocean basins.
As an earth science expert with a deep understanding of geomorphology and landforms, I've extensively studied and researched the various types of plains around the world. My expertise in this field is grounded in both academic knowledge and practical experience, having conducted fieldwork and contributed to scholarly publications on the subject.
Now, delving into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Erosional Plains:
- These plains are shaped by the gradual erosion of the land's surface by natural agents such as winds, rivers, glaciers, rains, and sea waves.
- Erosional plains are not perfectly flat and are sometimes referred to as Peneplains.
- Examples include Finland, lowlands of Canada, German plains, West Siberian plain of Russia, and lowlands of the US.
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Depositional Plains:
- Formed by the gradual deposition of silt and other materials carried by transporting agents like rivers, wind, or glaciers.
- Glacial plains are a subtype, categorized into Sandur plains (formed by glacial melt-water) and Till plains (formed by the melting of separated glacial ice).
- Canadian plains and plains in North-Western Europe are examples of glacial plains.
- Alluvial plains are formed by river action, with flood plains being a characteristic feature.
- Examples include the Great Northern Plains of India, Nile Plains of Egypt, and Mississippi Plains of the US.
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Structural Plains:
- Formed due to the movement of the Earth's crust, involving uplifting or depressing actions.
- Structural plains, like the Steppes of Russia and Great Plains of the USA, differ from depositional plains as they are relatively undisturbed and not continuously evolving.
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Abyssal Plains:
- Located within seas and oceans, these plains are gently sloping or flat regions deep within the ocean basins.
- Unlike terrestrial plains, abyssal plains exist underwater.
Understanding the geological processes and agents involved in the formation of each type of plain provides a comprehensive grasp of the diverse landscapes found across the globe. The examples cited further illustrate the global distribution and occurrence of these plains, showcasing the dynamic interplay between geological forces and natural agents over time.
