Previous Year Question
Which one amongst the following is the Largest plateau?
Coconino
Aquarius
Colorado
Columbia
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Among the given options, the Colorado Plateau is the largest. It covers approximately 337,000 sq km (130,000 sq miles) in the south-western United States. It extends mainly across the states of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. The region where these four states meet is known as the Four Corners.
The Colorado Plateau is characterized by elevated but relatively horizontal sedimentary rock layers, mesas, buttes and deeply incised river canyons. The Colorado River and its tributaries have deeply dissected the plateau and created several spectacular landforms. The Grand Canyon lies within this plateau.
In contrast, the Columbia Plateau is a basaltic plateau extending mainly across Washington, Oregon and Idaho and is smaller in area than the Colorado Plateau. Coconino and Aquarius are also comparatively smaller plateau regions.
It is important to note that the question refers to the largest plateau among the given options. The world's largest and highest plateau is the Tibetan Plateau.