Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peni…

- **Correct Answer:** (b) 1 and 2
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- **Why Statement 1 is correct:** The western coast of the Indian Peninsular Block has been significantly shaped by tectonic faulting, downwarping, and subsequent fracturing during the separation of India from Africa and Madagascar. This vertical tectonic activity led to the physical submergence of vast tracts of land along the Arabian Sea coast, a classic historical example being the submerged ancient city of Dwarka and the formation of deep natural harbors like Mumbai.
- **Why Statement 2 is correct:** The Peninsular Block is one of the oldest, most rigid, and stable landmasses on Earth, composed primarily of ancient gneisses and granites. Because it has been exposed to subaerial weathering for hundreds of millions of years without major recent mountain-building folding episodes, its original high reliefs have been denuded into **residual or relict mountains**. The Veliconda hills (Andhra Pradesh) and Mahendragiri hills (Odisha) are prime examples of these heavily dissected, ancient remnants of the Eastern Ghats.
- **Why Statement 3 is incorrect:** Deep, steep-sided, V-shaped river valleys and sharp gorges are definitive features of youthful, high-energy rivers undergoing active vertical downcutting, which is characteristic of the **Himalayan river systems**. In stark contrast, the rivers of the Peninsular Block (like the Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi) are mature, old-stage rivers. They flow along highly graded gradients and have wide, shallow, and broad valleys because their erosion has primarily shifted from vertical cutting to lateral widening.