Lava plateau
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A lava plateau is a flat, wide surface (plateau) that is formed when lava comes out of the ground and spreads out very quickly. The lava layers form a lava plateau. Following are general properties of lava plateaus:
- Major extrusive landform.
- They are extensive areas of basaltic lava with a layered structure.
- Lava accumulates with each eruption over time.
- They tend to be flat and featureless.
- Ocean ridge eruptions produce huge abyssal plains on the sea floor.
One example is the Deccan Plateau in India. It is 700 - 900m above sea level.
Lava covers 700,000 km² of lava flows. Formed from a mantle plume of rising magma.
Instead of forming moutains, some eruptions of lava form high, level areas called lava plateaus.