A plateau is a flat piece of land separated from surrounding lands by a slope. It is also known as tableland in geological terms. There are several types of plateaus, each with their own unique name. These include: buttes, plateaus, and steppes. Plateaus are essentially flat areas of land that are raised off of the surrounding lands.
The Tibetan Plateau
The Himalayan Mountain range and the Tibetan plateau occupy a unique geographical position. Located at an average elevation of more than 4,500 meters above sea level, the Tibetan plateau is surrounded by one of the tallest mountain ranges in the world. This plateau is a vast expanse of arid steppe and permafrost that is home to a number of Tibetan and other ethnic groups. While the plateau’s history has largely been dominated by nomadic tribes, a recent large-scale resettlement program has significantly altered its demographics.
Most major rivers in Asia flow through this plateau, which is home to more than 1,500 lakes. Of these, 1,091 are bigger than a square kilometer, and include freshwater and saltwater bodies. Some of the most notable lakes include Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China. Other large bodies of water include Qinghai Lake and the Eling Lake.
Because of the harsh climate and permafrost, construction of railways on the plateau has been challenging. Nevertheless, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway opened in 2006, making it the highest railway in the world. It passes over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) and connects the Tibetan plateau with Lhasa. While there are also flights from Lhasa, most people choose to travel by train from Lhasa.
The Tibetan plateau was largely uplifted in response to the collision between Asia and India about fifty-four million years ago. Since then, uplift has continued at a much slower rate, causing the plateau to fold, thrust, and shorten. However, the exact timing of this uplift is difficult to determine. This has led to debate about the exact date of the plateau reaching its current height of 16,404 feet (5 km).
Researchers who studied Tibetan DNA have discovered a genetic segment that is highly similar to the genome of the Ust’-lshim Man, which lived in Siberia around four-thousand years ago. This genetic segment contains eight genes, including one crucial for high-altitude adaptation. This suggests that the pre-LGM population on the plateau was a hybrid of several extinct human species.
In addition to being hotter than the rest of the planet, the Tibetan Plateau’s crust also shows unusual characteristics. The thick crust is unusually hot, which helps the plateau to rise higher. The hot crust also causes the rocks to expand, making the plateau appear to be flat.
The Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is part of the Intermontane Plateau and roughly centered around the Four Corners region of the southwest United States. The Plateau is characterized by its dry climate and dramatic peaks and valleys. Its natural beauty and rich history make it a desirable place to visit.
Its vast expanse is drained by the Colorado River, which has its headwaters in the Southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado. From there, it flows through Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Sonora and empties into the Gulf of California. The Plateau also includes many tributaries of the Colorado River, including the Green River, the Little Colorado River, and the San Juan River.
The Colorado Plateau has layers of sedimentary rock that were deposited between 525 million years ago and 381 million years ago. Periodically, seas submerged the plateau, adding layers of limestone and nearshore sand deposits that eventually formed sandstone and other rock types. As seas retreated, erosion and wind-blown sand eroded the older deposits. Then, 250 million years ago, the supercontinent of Pangea formed, and tectonic activity resumed. This resulted in the formation of monoclines, which are steeply tilted rock formations.
The Colorado Plateau is a large, plateau-like region extending from Utah to Colorado’s western border. It contains several major national parks and monuments, including the Grand Canyon and Zion Canyon. Other notable sites include the Green River, which runs through the Plateau and converges with the Colorado River in southeast Utah.
The Colorado Plateau is home to the highest concentration of national parks in the United States. There are nine national parks and monuments on the plateau, including the Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Canyonlands. The region also contains the highest concentration of fossils in the world. The Petrified Forest National Park is home to many early dinosaur tracks.
During the formation of the Colorado Plateau, tropical seas repeatedly flooded the area. During this time, dune sands and stream deposits were laid down. When the sea receded, older layers were eroded away. The sediments were deposited over a period of 300 million years.
The Deosai Plains in Pakistan
The Deosai Plains in northern Pakistan are one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. This high-alpine plateau falls between the districts of Kharmang and Skardu. Most of the park is within the Skardu district. This park offers the visitor an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of this area.
The Deosai plateau offers summer and spring breeding grounds for Pakistan’s birds. Some of the birds that make this region their home include the northern Hobby falcon, the bearded vulture, and the long-legged buzzard. Visiting the plateau in spring or summer will give you an opportunity to see many of these birds, as well as the colorful flowers and herbs found here.
The Deosai National Park contains Sheosar Lake, a small deep blue lake that is a great spot for picnicking and swimming. The water is warm and the shoreline is marshy. Locals call this lake Summer’s Place. Several rivers flow through the park, including the Bara Pani.
The Deosai Plains are one of the most spectacular natural wonders in northern Pakistan. You’ll probably find it difficult to describe in words, but there are a few key words to describe the vastness of the landscape. There are no cities or civilizations, and you’ll be surrounded by mountains and fresh water streams. The Deosai Plains are an incredible destination for nature lovers and those seeking solitude.
The Deosai Plains are best visited during spring and summer. The roads are relatively well-developed, but they become unpaved and bumpy when you get into the park. Taking a 4×4 vehicle on this trip is recommended. The best route starts at Chillum Chowki in the early morning and crosses into Skardu close to the Satpara Lake. The journey takes around 5 hours. There are basic hotels at Chillum Chowki, Astore, and Chilas.
The Deosai plateau is home to a rich biodiversity. This area receives more rainfall than its adjoining valleys.
The Deosai Plains in China
During spring, you can enjoy the sight of butterflies and wildflowers in the Deosai Plains. The scenery here is reminiscent of a fairytale. You can also spot brown bears, Himalayan ibex, and Ladakh urial. There are also over 124 species of birds in the area, including the griffon vulture and golden eagle.
The Deosai Plateau is also known for its vast alpine flower field. This is the largest alpine flower field in the Western Himalayas and Karakoram. A large area of mauve Aster blossoms is also present. The region is home to numerous species of wildlife, including brown bears and golden marmots.
The Deosai Plains are the world’s second-highest plateau and are surrounded by mountains of the Himalayas and the Karakoram. They are also known as the land of giants. During the winter months, the Deosai Plains are often snow-bound. However, the area is accessible by road from the Astore Valley or Skardu, both in the north. In the spring, the grasslands and meadows are covered in flowers.
The Deosai National Park was created in 1993. Since its creation, the Himalayan brown bear population has increased dramatically. The park’s designation helped protect this prized prize from hunters and poachers. As a result, there are now 40 bears in the area, a dramatic increase from nineteen in 1993. The Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, formerly known as the Himalayan Wildlife Project, played a pivotal role in the park’s designation. The foundation has also run two park entry check posts and a field research camp in the area for ten years.
The Deosai Plains in northern Aksai Chin are a vast expanse bordered by low hills of the “Lak Tsung” range. This region is separated from the Karakash River basin by the Depsang La pass. The region also includes the Depsang Bulge, which lies within Indian territory.
