Here's why:

* Massive Size: It covers an area of about 500,000 square kilometers (193,000 square miles), roughly the size of France and Spain combined.

* Thickness: The plateau's volcanic rock reaches a thickness of up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) in some places.

* Volcanic Origin: The Deccan Traps were formed by massive volcanic eruptions over a period of millions of years, starting about 66 million years ago.

The massive scale and volume of lava erupted from the Deccan Traps have a significant impact on the Earth's geology and environment.