Kerala Geography: Midlands and Undulated Laterite Terrain (ULT)of Kerala
May 12, 2022
2022-05-12 11:45
Kerala Geography: Midlands and Undulated Laterite Terrain (ULT)of Kerala
- This forms an area of gently undulating topography with hillocks and mounds.
- Laterite capping is commonly noticeable on the top of these hillocks.
- The low, flat- topped hillocks forming the laterite plateau range in altitude from 30- 200m and are observed between coastal low- land and the foothills.
- It covers about 40 percent of the total land area of Kerala.
- Central Midlands lies between the Eastern Highlands and Western Coastal Plains.
- Most of the paddy fields of Kerala belongs to central Midlands. It mostly consists of Alluvial soil
- Undulated Laterite Terrain (ULT) Kerala is the home of the laterite as it was first named by the Dutch traveller, Buchanan 1807.
- Laterite is widespread in its distribution in the midland region of Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod districts where it forms well-defined.
- The Archaean crystalline rocks and the Tertiary sedimentary rocks are extensively lateritised.
- A few bauxitic patches also occur within the laterites.
- ULT connects the Western Ghats and the Coastal Plain. They are evolved through:
- Pedimentation
- Laterisation
- Parallel slope retreat
- Valley formation
- Expansion of aggregational plain
- These lands are not suitable for regular cultivation due to hard caps and are left like a wasteland in most cases. Kannur and Kasaragod possess the maximum of this type of wasteland.
- Narrow alluvial valleys indented into laterite landscape give rise to undulated landforms, where ridges and valleys are alluvial. These valleys have developed along the east-west running rivers and streams.
- Plantation crops like cashew, rubber, coconut and various other tree crops, tapioca and pepper are grown well in this area.
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