In the “Cycle of Erosion,” a landscape is eventually worn down to a featureless plain near sea level, called a peneplain. If tectonic activity (like the Himalayan orogeny) then lifts this flat land into a high-altitude position, it becomes an uplifted peneplain. This process creates a plateau that appears perfectly flat on top but is surrounded by deep valleys or waterfalls where rivers “jump” off the newly raised edge. This is why the Ranchi Plateau features famous waterfalls like Hundru Falls—the rivers are adjusting to the sudden tectonic elevation of the old, flat landscape.