Lateritic plateaus

Lateritic plateaus or ferricretes are hard indurated plateaus formed by lateritization of parent rock basalt under extremely seasonal environment.

Laterite surface transforms into seasonal wetlands during monsoon, and various plant communities specific to microhabitats are seen.

Laterite is quarried extensively for buildings and the plateaus are claimed for development of infrastructure, mining etc.

Lateritic plateaus are present on Western Ghat hilltops (from Mahabaleshwar to Belgaum dt.), coastal areas (Konkan to N.Kerala) and Orissa.