Question

Discuss about Deccan Trap.

Answer 1

Hint: It is a large igneous area present in west-central India that is situated on the latitude and longitude, \[1724{}^\circ N,\text{ }7374{}^\circ E\] respectively.

Complete answer: The Deccan Traps is a large igneous area present in west-central India that is situated on the latitude and longitude, \[1724{}^\circ N,\text{ }7374{}^\circ E\] respectively. This is one of the largest volcanic features of the Earth. It consists of multiple layers of solidified flood basalt that combine to form more than 2,000 m thick crust and covers an area of \[500,000\text{ }k{{m}^{2}}.\]
The Deccan Traps started to form 66.25 million years ago when the Cretaceous period ended. A huge number of volcanic eruptions occurred at the Western Ghats about 66 million years ago due to which this landmass was formed. This series of eruptions lasted for about a year even \[30,000\text{ }years\] ago. They have reduced to their current size due to erosion and movement of the plate tectonics. About 500,000 of the current area of the Deccan trap still has observable lava in it.
The release of volcanic gases from this plateau specifically sulfur dioxide which is released during the formation of the traps. They may have contributed to climate change. Data points indicate an average drop in temperature of about \[2{}^\circ C\] because of this.

Note: The Deccan Trap is famous for its bed of fossils that have been found between and under the layers of lava. Especially a well-known species that includes the frog named Oxyglossus pusillus which is the Eocene of India and the toothed frog known as Indobatrachus, includes the early lineage of frog and even the modern ones.