The Deccan Traps are a large volcanic province located in western and central India. They were formed by a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred around 66 million years ago, covering an area of approximately 500,000 square kilometers. The name "traps" comes from the Swedish word "trappa," meaning stairs, referring to the step-like hills created by the layered basalt rock. These eruptions are believed to have contributed to the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. The Deccan Traps consist of multiple layers of solidified lava flows, which provide valuable insights into the geological history of the Earth and the processes involved in large-scale volcanic activity.