An extensive flat topped land mass, higher than the surrounding area but lower in elevation than mountains, are known as plateaus. Due to its flat summit, it is known as table land. Plateaus occur in every continent and take up a third of the Earths land. They are one of the four major landforms, along with mountains, plains, and hills. Plateaus, like mountains may be young or old. The Tibetan Plateau is young whereas the Colorado Plateau is of ancient origin.
Plateaus can be of different origin:-
1. Lava Plateaus- Sometimes on the earth's crust, a long narrow fissure or crack appears, from which lava comes out. The lava spreads over a long area. After several successive eruptions, the lava sheets pile up.
2. Intermontane Plateaus- These plateaus are surrounded by high mountains on all the sides.
3. Dissected Plateaus- A dissected plateau is a plateau that has been intensely eroded so that the relief becomes sharp. Weathering, erosion, and denudation of the flat land results in the formation of dissected plateaus. The eroded region tends to appears mountainous or as hilly slopes and valleys.