PLATEAUS A plateau is a flat or gently sloping elevated area that has been uplifted significantly above the surrounding land. It typically has one or more steep sides or escarpments. Plateaus can be formed by a variety of geological processes, including: 1. Tectonic uplift – when sections of the Earth's crust are pushed upward due to movements in tectonic plates. 2. Volcanic activity – when layers of lava build up over time, forming a broad, elevated landform (e.g., the Deccan Plateau in India).