---
title: "Physical features of the earth's surface"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:physical-features-of-the-earths"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/physical-features-of-the-earths
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Physical features of the earth's surface

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 2: Basic Reviews of the Earth

- Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2068 Baisakh, 1 marks; 2065 Shrawan (old course), 4 marks (asked 3 times)
- Video: [How Does the Earth Create Different Landforms? Crash Course Geography #20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMU7zfDqfg) — CrashCourse
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/physical-features-of-the-earths
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-2

## Question

Mention the physical features (major landforms) of the earth's surface.

## Short answer

Major landforms include continents and ocean basins, fold and block mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, hills, deserts, glaciers, and deltas. Ocean-floor features comprise continental shelves, abyssal plains, mid-ocean ridges, and deep trenches. Nepal exhibits the Terai plain, Siwalik hills, Mahabharat range, mid-hills, and the Himalaya.

## Answer

The Earth's surface shows large-scale relief features, called landforms.

#### Major physical features
1. **Continents and ocean basins**: the two first-order features. Continents cover 29% of the surface and oceans 71%.
2. **Mountains**: high, steep land of great relief.
   - Fold mountains (Himalaya, Alps, Andes).
   - Block (fault) mountains (Black Forest).
   - Volcanic mountains (Mount Fuji).
   - Residual mountains (Aravalli).
3. **Plateaus**: broad, high, flat-topped land (Tibetan Plateau, Deccan Plateau).
4. **Plains**: wide, low, flat land (Gangetic plain, Terai).
5. **Valleys**: low land between hills, cut by rivers (V-shaped) or glaciers (U-shaped).
6. **Hills**: small, rounded elevations lower than mountains.
7. **Deserts**, **glaciers** and **river deltas**.

#### Ocean-floor features
- Continental shelf and slope.
- Abyssal plains.
- Mid-ocean ridges.
- Deep ocean trenches (Mariana Trench).

Features of Nepal: Terai plain, Siwalik (Churia) hills, Mahabharat range, mid-hills valleys and the Himalaya.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. The two first-order features of Earth's surface are:
   A. Mountains and plains
   B. Continents and ocean basins
   C. Plateaus and valleys
   D. Deserts and glaciers
   Answer: B. They cover 29% and 71%. (Key point: First-order features)

2. Mount Fuji is a:
   A. Fold mountain
   B. Block mountain
   C. Volcanic mountain
   D. Residual mountain
   Answer: C. Formed by volcanism. (Key point: Mountain types)

3. Glaciers cut valleys that are:
   A. V-shaped
   B. Flat
   C. Circular
   D. U-shaped
   Answer: D. Rivers cut V-shaped valleys. (Key point: Valleys)

4. A deep ocean trench example is:
   A. Mariana Trench
   B. Mid-Atlantic Ridge
   C. Deccan
   D. Terai
   Answer: A. Trenches are the deepest ocean features. (Key point: Ocean floor)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Geological work of running water and its landforms](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Ageological-work-of-running-water) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 6, asked 5×
- [Earth cross-section: composition, density, temperature](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aearth-crosssection-composition-density-temperature) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2
- [Erosional features of glacier and underground water](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aerosional-features-of-glacier-and) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 6

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