Deccan Traps

The Deccan Traps are a large volcanic plateau in India, formed by a series of massive volcanic eruptions around 66 million years ago. Covering parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, these eruptions expelled vast amounts of lava, creating a landscape of layered basalt rock. The Deccan Traps are significant because they coincide with the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. Scientists study this region to understand volcanic activity, its effects on the environment, and its role in Earth's geological history, particularly in relation to climate change and biodiversity.