NCERT Class 11 Geography Fundamental of Physical Geography: Chapter 6 — C H A P T E R
This chapter, "Landforms and Their Evolution," from NCERT's Fundamental of Physical Geography for Class 11, explores how landforms are created and transformed by geomorphic agents. It defines landforms as parcels of the Earth's surface and landscapes as collections of related landforms. The chapter details the role of running water as a primary geomorphic agent in humid regions, explaining its erosional and depositional processes. It outlines the stages of landform evolution—youth, mature, and old—comparing them to life stages. Key erosional features like V-shaped valleys, gorges, canyons, potholes, and plunge pools are described, along with the formation of peneplains. The text emphasizes that landforms have a history of development and are subject to continuous change due to climatic shifts and tectonic movements, crucial for understanding Earth's dynamic surface in CBSE Geography.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Geography |
| Book | Fundamental of Physical Geography |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — C H A P T E R |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 6 minutes |
| Word count | 1077 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the definition and concept of landforms and landscapes.
- Identify running water as a significant geomorphic agent and its role in erosion and deposition.
- Describe the stages of landform evolution: youth, mature, and old age.
- Recognize and explain various erosional landforms created by running water, such as valleys, gorges, canyons, potholes, and plunge pools.
- Explain the process of peneplain formation.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Geomorphic agents | Natural agents like running water, wind, glaciers, etc., that cause changes on the Earth's surface. |
| Erosion | The process of wearing away and transporting Earth's surface material by geomorphic agents. |
| Deposition | The process by which eroded material is laid down or accumulated. |
| Landform | A small to medium tract or parcel of the Earth's surface with a distinct shape. |
| Landscape | A large tract of Earth's surface composed of several related landforms. |
| Overland flow | Water flowing over the general land surface as a sheet. |
| Streams/Rivers | Linear flow of water in valleys. |
| Degradation | The process of lowering the general surface of the land. |
| V-shaped valley | A valley with a cross-section resembling the letter 'V', typically formed by river erosion. |
| Gorge | A deep valley with very steep to straight sides. |
| Canyon | A deep valley with steep step-like side slopes, wider at the top than the bottom. |
| Peneplain | A nearly flat plain formed by extensive stream erosion over a long period. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the most important geomorphic agent in humid regions? Answer: Running water is the most important geomorphic agent in humid regions.
- Differentiate between a gorge and a canyon. Answer: A gorge is a deep valley with steep, straight sides and is almost equal in width at the top and bottom. A canyon is also deep with steep, step-like sides but is wider at the top than at the bottom.
- What are the three stages of landform evolution? Answer: The three stages of landform evolution are youth, mature, and old age.
- Define pothole. Answer: A pothole is a more or less circular depression formed on the rocky beds of hill-streams due to stream erosion and abrasion by rock fragments.
- What is a peneplain? Answer: A peneplain is a lowland of faint relief, almost a plain, formed as a result of extensive stream erosion.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which geomorphic agent is most significant in bringing about the degradation of the land surface in humid regions?
Explanation: In humid regions with heavy rainfall, running water is the primary agent responsible for eroding and lowering the land surface.
Q2. A deep valley with very steep to straight sides is known as:
Explanation: A gorge is specifically defined as a deep valley characterized by very steep to straight sides.
Q3. Which stage of landform evolution is characterized by streams with good integration and V-shaped but deep valleys?
Explanation: The mature stage features well-integrated streams, deep V-shaped valleys, and the beginnings of wider floodplains.
Q4. What are potholes formed by?
Explanation: Potholes are circular depressions formed on rocky stream beds due to the combined action of stream erosion and the grinding effect of rock fragments.
Q5. A nearly flat plain formed by extensive stream erosion is called a:
Explanation: A peneplain represents the final stage of landscape reduction by stream erosion, resulting in a vast, almost flat surface.
Q6. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the 'Old' stage of landform evolution by running water?
Explanation: Waterfalls and rapids are typically found in the youthful stage where gradients are steeper; old age features gentle gradients and meandering rivers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a landform and a landscape?
A landform is a small to medium tract or parcel of the Earth's surface, while a landscape is a larger area composed of several related landforms.
What are the main geomorphic agents discussed in this chapter?
The chapter primarily discusses running water, groundwater, wind, glaciers, and waves as geomorphic agents, with a focus on running water.
How does running water cause erosion?
Running water causes erosion through processes like sheet erosion (overland flow) and linear flow (streams and rivers), which remove and transport materials from the Earth's surface.
What happens during the 'mature' stage of landform evolution?
In the mature stage, streams are well-integrated, valleys are deep and V-shaped, and floodplains begin to form. Stream divides become sharper, and features like waterfalls and rapids disappear.
Can landforms change over time?
Yes, landforms are dynamic and evolve through stages of youth, maturity, and old age due to the continuous action of geomorphic processes and agents, as well as changes in climate and tectonic movements.
What is a peneplain?
A peneplain is a nearly flat plain formed by the extensive erosion of a landmass by streams over a long period, leaving only low resistant remnants.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 Geography — Fundamental of Physical Geography — Chapter 6 — C H A P T E R. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.