The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Peninsular Plateau of India is an ancient stable landmass composed of hard crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks. While the main block covers Central and South India, geological movements have resulted in detached extensions of this plateau in other regions, specifically the northeast.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: An extension of the Peninsular Plateau is indeed visible in the northeast of India. This region comprises the Meghalaya Plateau and the Karbi-Anglong Plateau. Despite being geographically separated, they are geologically part of the Peninsular block.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The northeastern extension is locally known as the Meghalaya Plateau and Karbi-Anglong Plateau. The Bundelkhand Plateau is a distinct region located in central India, spanning across parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and is not associated with the northeastern extension.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The northeastern extension is separated from the Chotanagpur Plateau (part of the main Peninsular block) by a significant fault known as the Malda Fault (or Malda Gap). This depression was formed due to the force exerted by the northeastward movement of the Indian plate at the time of the Himalayan origin and was subsequently filled by alluvial deposits from the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
Key Takeaway: The Meghalaya and Karbi-Anglong plateaus are geological extensions of the Peninsular Plateau, separated from the main Chotanagpur block by the Malda Fault.