The correct option is 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Indian Desert, located to the northwest of the Aravali hills, is an arid region characterized by low rainfall and high evaporation. The physiography of this region is primarily shaped by aeolian (wind) processes, resulting in distinct erosional and depositional landforms.
Analysis of Land Features:
- 1. Mushroom rocks: Correct. These are typical erosional landforms found in desert regions. They are formed when wind-borne sand particles erode the lower section of a rock pillar more effectively than the upper section (due to gravity keeping heavier sand particles near the ground), resulting in a structure resembling a mushroom.
- 2. Shifting dunes: Correct. The Indian Desert is an undulating sandy plain covered with various types of sand dunes. Barchans (crescent-shaped dunes) and longitudinal dunes are prominent features here. These dunes often shift due to the strong wind action characteristic of the region.
- 3. Oasis: Correct. An oasis is a fertile area in a desert or semi-desert environment where the water table approaches the surface. In the southern part of the Indian Desert, such features exist, supporting scattered vegetation and human settlements.
- 4. Glacial moraines: Incorrect. Moraines are accumulations of dirt and rocks that have fallen onto the glacier surface or have been pushed along by the glacier as it moves. These are glacial depositional features found in high-altitude or high-latitude regions (such as the Himalayas), not in hot arid deserts.
Key Takeaway:
The Indian Desert is defined by aeolian landforms such as mushroom rocks, sand dunes (barchans, seifs), and oases. Glacial features like moraines are restricted to cryospheric (ice-covered) regions.