compare the shiwalik and himachal mountain ranges on the basis of composition and altitude
Answers
Himalayan Ranges
Series of several parallel or converging ranges.
The ranges are separated by deep valleys creating a highly dissected topography [(of a plateau or upland) divided by a number of deep valleys].
The southern slopes have steep gradients and northern slopes have comparatively gentler slopes. [Scaling Mount Everest is less hectic from the northern side. But China puts restrictions so climbers take the steeper southern slopes from Nepal]
Most of the Himalayan ranges fall in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The northern slopes are partly situated in Tibet (trans-Himalayas) while the western extremity lies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Himalayas between Tibet and Ganga Plain is a succession of three parallel ranges.
Shiwalik Range
Also known as Outer Himalayas.
Located in between the Great Plains and Lesser Himalayas.
The altitude varies from 600 to 1500 metres.
Runs for a distance of 2,400 km from the Potwar Plateau to the Brahmaputra valley.
The southern slopes are steep while the northern slopes are gentle.
The width of the Shiwaliks varies from 50 km in Himachal Pradesh to less than 15 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
They are almost unbroken chain of low hills except for a gap of 80-90 km which is occupied by the valley of the Tista River and Raidak River.
Shiwalik range from North-East India up to Nepal are covered with thick forests but the forest cover decreases towards west from Nepal (The quantum of rainfall decreases from east to west in Shiwaliks and Ganga Plains).
The southern slopes of Shiwalik range in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are almost devoid of forest cover. These slopes are highly dissected by seasonal streams called Chos.
Valleys are part of synclines and hills are part of anticlines or antisynclines.