Earth is comprised of a series of tectonic plates that are in a constant state of motion. Millions of years ago, two of these plates, the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate collided. This collision lead to the formation of the Himalayas.
Since both the Indian and Eurasian plates are similar in rock density, one plate could not overcome the other. Instead, they buckled up on contact. As the plates continued to move toward each other, so too did the Himalayas continue to rise and expand. Amazingly, this journey continues today and the Himalayas are considered to be geologically active because of this. They're still expanding and growing skyward at an approximate rate of 5 mm per year. Incredible, right?
Also of note is that the continued movement of the Indian plate makes the region seismically active. Since seismic activity is what causes earthquakes, the Himalayas are no stranger to this natural phenomenon.
Even though these mountains stand at an impressive height now, some scientists believe that they should have risen even higher, at an approximate yearly rate of 1 cm. They theorise that instead of continue to buckle and rise as the Indian plate progresses forward, the Eurasian plate has begun to stretch out and away from the Indian plate. The resulting effect is that the mountain both rises and subsides. It grows and it settles downward. Were that not the case, the mountain range could have stood many kilometres higher than it does now.
One day, millions of years into the future, the Himalayas will look distinctly different, as will the rest of the world. Such is the immense power of plate-tectonic force. If you found this information to be interesting, try researching how earth looked millions of years ago. There are a number of fascinating sketches out there, and they could help you to visualise the formation of the Himalayas, among other things.
Since both the Indian and Eurasian plates are similar in rock density, one plate could not overcome the other. Instead, they buckled up on contact. As the plates continued to move toward each other, so too did the Himalayas continue to rise and expand. Amazingly, this journey continues today and the Himalayas are considered to be geologically active because of this. They're still expanding and growing skyward at an approximate rate of 5 mm per year. Incredible, right?
Also of note is that the continued movement of the Indian plate makes the region seismically active. Since seismic activity is what causes earthquakes, the Himalayas are no stranger to this natural phenomenon.
Even though these mountains stand at an impressive height now, some scientists believe that they should have risen even higher, at an approximate yearly rate of 1 cm. They theorise that instead of continue to buckle and rise as the Indian plate progresses forward, the Eurasian plate has begun to stretch out and away from the Indian plate. The resulting effect is that the mountain both rises and subsides. It grows and it settles downward. Were that not the case, the mountain range could have stood many kilometres higher than it does now.
One day, millions of years into the future, the Himalayas will look distinctly different, as will the rest of the world. Such is the immense power of plate-tectonic force. If you found this information to be interesting, try researching how earth looked millions of years ago. There are a number of fascinating sketches out there, and they could help you to visualise the formation of the Himalayas, among other things.