The magnificent Himalayas were formed through the process of continental collision, showcasing significant geological features in the history of Asia.
If all the ocean water on the surface were drained, what would Earth look like?
Formation of the Himalayas
Approximately 300 million years ago, Earth was home to an ancient supercontinent known as “Gondwanaland“. During the Mesozoic Era (250-65 million years ago), it split into the continents and landmasses we recognize today, such as Africa, Australia, South America, Antarctica, Madagascar, and India. This marked the separation of the world’s oceans, leading to the formation of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
About 100 million years ago, a landmass separated from the African continent and moved eastward. At that time, India was merely an island floating in the Tethys Ocean. Over the next 85-90 million years, India broke away from Madagascar and drifted northeast. It moved at an average speed of 18-19 cm per year until it collided with the Eurasian continent.
Approximately 50-60 million years ago, the northward movement of the Indian Plate significantly slowed to about 4-6 cm per year. This deceleration indicated that the initial collision between Asia and India had begun.
The Himalayas are the youngest mountain range in the world in terms of geological history.
The continents and oceanic crust on Earth are composed of large and irregular tectonic plates, known as tectonic plates. The lithospheric plates consist of 15-20 tectonic plates that move and collide with each other at varying speeds through convection processes. The movement and separation of such plates are referred to as tectonic drift.
About 50 million years ago, the Indian Plate completely sealed off the Tethys Ocean, whose existence is evidenced by sedimentary rocks deposited on the ocean floor and volcanoes at its margins. Due to the lightweight nature of these sediments, they were uplifted into mountains instead of sinking to the ocean floor. The collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate along the border between India and Nepal formed a tectonic belt that gave rise to the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas, as oceanic sediments accumulated like soil before being buried. India continued to move laterally beneath the Tibetan Plateau, causing this plateau to rise.
The Himalayas are the youngest mountain range in the world in terms of geological history. Its most distinctive feature is that it is still actively growing. Estimates suggest that the highest rate of uplift for the Himalayas is 1 cm per year. Additionally, this mountain range is home to the highest peaks in the world, with most of the ten tallest mountains situated here.
Future Geological Situation of the Himalayas
The Himalayan region spans across eight countries in Asia, including India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The population here has been rapidly increasing over the past few decades, and temperatures are rising quickly due to the impacts of climate change. Weather patterns in the Himalayas have also become unpredictable, with glaciers beginning to melt and retreat.
The Himalayas will face a water crisis in the future.
According to recent studies, the Himalayas will confront a water crisis as it is a popular destination for many people worldwide. The groundwater levels here have dropped to critical levels. To address the ongoing water stress, proper urban planning for mountain cities is essential. Nepal has successfully implemented this by designating urban areas to conserve water for the ecosystem.
Currently, the Indian Plate continues to move northward at a rate of about 5 cm per year. This deformation affects the Eurasian Plate while the Indian Plate is compressed at a rate of 4 mm per year. This causes the Himalayas to rise approximately 5 mm per year (up to 1 cm/year). The movement of the Indian Plate into the Eurasian Plate also triggers seismic activities, resulting in frequent earthquakes in the region.
