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What are the causes of more frequent in landslides in the Himalayas than in western ghats
The Himalayas, one of the world's most impressive mountain ranges, extend across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. Formed by the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, the range is characterized by its towering peaks, including Mount Everest, the highest poinRead more
The Himalayas, one of the world’s most impressive mountain ranges, extend across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. Formed by the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, the range is characterized by its towering peaks, including Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.
The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountains, are a mountain range running parallel to the western coast of India. Stretching over 1,600 kilometers through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, they form a significant biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity. This phenomenon occurs when the stability of a slope changes from a stable to an unstable condition. Landslides are more frequent in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats due to several key factors:
1. Geological Differences:
Himalayas: The Himalayas are a relatively young and highly active mountain range formed due to the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This tectonic activity makes the region geologically unstable, resulting in frequent landslides.
Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are older and more geologically stable. While landslides do occur, they are less frequent compared to the Himalayas.
2. Topography:
Himalayas: The steep slopes and high altitude of the Himalayas contribute to a greater gravitational force, which makes the region more prone to landslides.
Western Ghats: Although the Western Ghats have steep slopes, they are generally lower in altitude and have less dramatic elevation changes compared to the Himalayas.
3. Climate and Precipitation:
Himalayas: The Himalayas receive intense rainfall during the monsoon season. The combination of heavy rain and steep slopes often triggers landslides. Additionally, the region experiences significant snowfall and subsequent snowmelt, which can also lead to landslides.
Western Ghats: The Western Ghats also receive heavy monsoon rains, particularly on the windward side, but the overall impact is less severe compared to the intense and prolonged precipitation in the Himalayas.
4. Soil and Rock Composition:
Himalayas: The Himalayas have a complex composition of loose, unconsolidated materials and fractured rocks due to ongoing tectonic activity. This makes the soil and rock more susceptible to erosion and landslides.
Western Ghats: The Western Ghats primarily consist of hard, basaltic rocks which are more resistant to erosion. However, areas with laterite soils can be prone to landslides during heavy rains.
5. Human Activities:
Himalayas: Rapid and often unplanned urbanization, deforestation, road construction, and other infrastructure projects in the Himalayas disturb the natural stability of slopes, increasing the frequency of landslides.
Western Ghats: While human activities also impact the Western Ghats, the extent and intensity are generally lower compared to the Himalayan region.
6. Seismic Activity:
Himalayas: The region is highly seismic due to the tectonic plate movements, and earthquakes can trigger landslides.
Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are less seismically active, resulting in fewer landslides triggered by earthquakes.
Overall, the combination of geological, topographical, climatic, and human factors makes the Himalayas more prone to frequent landslides compared to the Western Ghats.
See lessHow do birth rates and death rates vary between developed and developing countries?
birth rates and death rates tend to vary significantly between developing and developed countries due to differences in economic development, healthcare facilities, education and standard of living etc. BIRTH RATES: in developed countries, there are generally low birth rates due to higher levels ofRead more
birth rates and death rates tend to vary significantly between developing and developed countries due to differences in economic development, healthcare facilities, education and standard of living etc.
BIRTH RATES:
in developed countries, there are generally low birth rates due to higher levels of educational employment among women, usage of contraceptives, a greater focus on career and personal development and effective family planning.
examples: JAPAN, GERMANY
in developing countries, birth rates are generally high due to a lack of education, less access to and acceptance of contraceptives, economic reliance on children and cultural and social norms. High mortality rates also lead to high birth rates.
examples: NIGER, NIGERIA
DEATH RATES:
death rates are also generally low in developed countries due to better healthcare systems, advanced medical technologies, and high living standards, there is an ageing population in developed countries which also leads to high death rates, but the overall death rate is low due to longer life expectancies.
example: UNITED KINGDON, AUSTRALIA
normally developing countries have high death rates but as these countries have younger populations it might lead to a fall in the number of death rates. the high death rate in developing countries is influenced by poor healthcare infrastructure, higher prevalence of infectious diseases, malnutrition and less access to clean water and sanitation. it leads to rapid population growth in developing countries.
example: CHAD, AFGHANISTAN
the birth rates and the death rates of the developed and developing countries illustrate how economic development and social norms impact the demographic patterns.
See less