Which of the following statements with regard to the Colorado Plateau is/are correct? 1. It is a classic example of an intermontane plateau, geologically defined by flat-lying sedimentary strata containing prominent mesas and buttes. 2. The plateau is structurally bisected by the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon system. 3. The region is widely known for widespread, perched groundwater tables that naturally erupt as positive-pressure Artesian wells. Select the correct answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Notes:

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Located in the Western United States (covering parts of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico), the Colorado Plateau is an unwarped intermontane plateau. Long-term subaerial erosion has carved its horizontal rock layers into steep-sided, flat-topped landforms known as mesas and smaller buttes.
Statement 2 is correct: The Colorado River system acts as the primary drainage and erosive agent of this plateau, slicing deeply through the crust to form the world-famous Grand Canyon.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While the Colorado Plateau is famous for complex sandstone aquifers and deeply carved canyon springs, it is not a classic basin defined by widespread positive-pressure structural Artesian wells (which require specific deep, confined synclinal basins like the Great Artesian Basin of Australia).