Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coast due to tectonic activity 2. Presence of residual mountain ranges such as the Veliconda hills and Mahendragiri hills 3. Deep, V-shaped river valleys formed by fast-flowing rivers Select the answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is Option B (1 and 2).

Here is a detailed breakdown of the statements:

Statement 1 is correct: The Peninsular Block is an ancient, rigid, and stable landmass, but it has experienced specific tectonic disruptions over its geological history. One major event was the subsidence and submergence of its western flank beneath the sea during the early Tertiary period. This tectonic activity led to the submergence of parts of the western coast (for example, the ancient city of Dwarka is believed to be part of this submerged coastline). This is also why the Western Coastal Plain is a submerged coastal plain, providing natural conditions for deep-water ports.

Statement 2 is correct: The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Over millions of years of denudation and weathering, its once-lofty ranges have been worn down. Today, the block features highly eroded relict or residual mountains. Prominent examples cited in standard geographic literature (like the NCERTs) include the Aravali range, Nallamala hills, Javadi hills, Veliconda hills, Palkonda range, and the Mahendragiri hills.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Deep, V-shaped valleys, rapids, and gorges carved by fast-flowing rivers are characteristic of youthful rivers, such as those in the active Himalayan drainage system. In contrast, the Peninsular Block features an older, mature drainage system. Because Peninsular rivers (like the Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi) have mostly reached their base level of erosion, they flow slowly through broad, shallow, and largely graded valleys with low gradients.

Key Takeaway: For UPSC geography, easily differentiate the river systems by their age: Himalayan rivers are "youthful" (forming steep, fast, V-shaped valleys and gorges), whereas Peninsular rivers are "mature" (forming shallow, broad, U-shaped valleys with gentle gradients).