The Himalayas were formed due to the collision of which two tectonic p...
The correct answer is option 'A': The Himalayas were formed due to the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.
Explanation:
- The formation of the Himalayas is a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This collision started around 50 million years ago and is still ongoing, resulting in the continuous growth of the Himalayan mountain range.
1. Indian Plate:
- The Indian Plate is a major tectonic plate located in the northern hemisphere. It is primarily composed of the Indian subcontinent and extends from the Arabian Sea to the Himalayas in the north.
2. Eurasian Plate:
- The Eurasian Plate is another major tectonic plate that covers a large part of Europe and Asia. It stretches from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the west to the Himalayas and the Pacific Ocean in the east.
- The collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate is a convergent boundary, where two plates move towards each other. This type of boundary often leads to the formation of mountain ranges.
- The collision began when the Indian Plate, which was previously a separate landmass, started moving northwards towards the Eurasian Plate. As the Indian Plate approached the Eurasian Plate, the sediments and crust of the Indian Plate were pushed beneath the Eurasian Plate in a process called subduction.
- The subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate created immense pressure and heat, causing the sediments to melt and rise to the surface. This molten material, known as magma, eventually cooled and solidified to form the granitic rocks that make up the core of the Himalayan mountain range.
- The collision also caused the crustal rocks to buckle and fold, resulting in the uplift of the Himalayas. The immense pressure and force generated by the collision led to the formation of the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.
- The ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate continues to push the Himalayas higher, resulting in the growth of the mountain range at a rate of approximately 5 millimeters per year.
- The Himalayas not only serve as a physical barrier between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia but also play a crucial role in influencing weather patterns, climate, and the distribution of flora and fauna in the region.
In conclusion, the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate led to the formation of the Himalayas, one of the most spectacular and majestic mountain ranges in the world.
The Himalayas were formed due to the collision of which two tectonic p...
The Himalayas were formed as a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
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