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MAJOR GEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN HIMALAYA

 Formation of Himalaya

The Himalayas are a vast mountain range located in South Asia, which includes some of the highest peaks in the world, such as Mount Everest. The formation of the Himalayas is the result of the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Around 50 million years ago, India was a separate continent that began moving northward towards Asia, eventually colliding with the Eurasian plate around 40 to 50 million years ago. As the two plates collided, the Indian plate was forced beneath the Eurasian plate, causing the crust to thicken and rise. This process, called subduction, resulted in the formation of the Himalayas. Over millions of years, the Himalayas continued to rise as the Indian plate pushed against the Eurasian plate, resulting in the creation of the highest mountain range in the world. The ongoing collision between the two plates also caused the formation of many other mountain ranges, including the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and the Pamir Mountains. Today, the Himalayas are still rising at a rate of approximately 5 millimeters per year, and the ongoing collision between the two tectonic plates continues to shape the landscape of South Asia.

(https://landscapes-revealed.net/how-did-the-himalayas-get-to-be-earths-highest-mountain-range/)

Division of Himalaya

The entire Himalayan arc is about 2500 km long. It has been divided into the Punjab Himalaya, Kumaon   Himalaya, Nepal Himalaya, Sikkim-Bhutan Himalaya, and NEFA Himalaya, respectively, from South-West to East (Gansser, 1964). Each section of the Himalayan arc can be subdivided into five tectonic zones (Gangetic Plain, Siwalik, Lesser Himalaya, Higher Himalaya, and Tibetan Tethys Himalaya), from South to North, respectively.


Tectonic Division of Himalaya (After Upreti and Le Fort, 1999, Heim and Gansser (1939), and Gansser (1964))

Major Geological Problems in Higher Himalaya

The higher Himalayan region faces several geological problems that pose significant risks to human settlements, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Snow avalanches are a common occurrence in the region and can cause widespread damage and loss of life. Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are another significant problem in the higher Himalayas, as warming temperatures and melting glaciers have led to the formation of unstable glacial lakes that can burst and cause flooding downstream. Rockfall is also a major concern in the region, as Steep Mountain slopes are prone to erosion and can result in large rocks falling onto roads, buildings, and people. Landslides are also a frequent occurrence in the higher Himalayas, particularly during the monsoon season, and can result in significant damage to infrastructure and human settlements. These geological problems in the higher Himalayas are exacerbated by climate change, which is leading to more extreme weather events and increasing the risk of natural disasters.

Major Geological Problems in Lesser Himalaya

The Lesser Himalaya region also faces several geological problems that pose significant risks to human settlements, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Landslides are a common occurrence in the region, particularly during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall can destabilize slopes and cause them to fail. Rockfall is also a significant problem, as the region is characterized by steep mountain slopes that are prone to erosion and rock falls. Debris flow, which is a mixture of soil, rock, and water that moves down slopes, is another major concern in the Lesser Himalaya region. Debris avalanche, a rapid and destructive mass movement of rock and debris down a slope, is also a risk in the region. Deep gully erosion, caused by the concentrated flow of water, is another geological problem that can result in significant damage to infrastructure and human settlements. Flash floods are also a frequent occurrence in the region, particularly during the monsoon season, and can cause widespread damage and loss of life. These geological problems in the Lesser Himalayas are compounded by human activities such as deforestation and land-use changes, which can increase the risk of natural disasters

Major Geological Problems in Siwalik (Sub Himalaya)

The Siwalik region, also known as the Sub Himalaya, faces several geological problems that pose significant risks to human settlements, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Landslides and debris flow are common occurrences in the region, particularly during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall can destabilize slopes and cause them to fail. Erosion is also a significant problem in the Siwalik region, as the region is characterized by soft sedimentary rocks that are easily weathered by wind and water. Weathering, which is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces, is another geological problem that can result in significant damage to infrastructure and human settlements. Rockfall is also a concern in the Siwalik region, particularly in areas where steep mountain slopes have been exposed due to erosion and weathering. These geological problems in the Siwalik region are compounded by human activities such as deforestation and land-use changes, which can increase the risk of natural disasters.

Major Geological Problems in Tarai

The Tarai region, which lies at the foothills of the Himalayas, faces several geological problems that pose significant risks to human settlements, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Floods are a common occurrence in the Tarai region, particularly during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall can cause rivers to overflow and inundate low-lying areas. Liquefaction, the transformation of soil from a solid to a liquid state, is another significant problem in the Tarai region, particularly in areas with loose and saturated soils. Stream bank cutting, which is the erosion of riverbanks due to the force of water, is also a concern in the region, as it can lead to the loss of land and damage to infrastructure. Subsidence, which is the sinking or settling of the ground surface, is another geological problem that can result in damage to buildings and infrastructure. These geological problems in the Tarai region are compounded by human activities such as deforestation and land-use changes, which can increase the risk of natural disasters.

 

 

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