The northward drift of the Indo-Australian plate resulted in its colli...
The sedimentary rocks which were accumulated in the depression known as the Tethys were folded to form the mountain system of western Asia and Himalaya.
The convectional currents split the crust into a number of pieces leading to the drifting of the Indo-Australian plate after being separated from the Gondwana land, towards the north. The northward drift resulted in the collision of the plate with the much larger Eurasian Plate. Due to this collision, the sedimentary rocks in the Tethys were folded to form the mountain system of western Asia and Himalaya.
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The northward drift of the Indo-Australian plate resulted in its colli...
Collision of Indo-Australian and Eurasian Plates: Result and Explanation
The collision between the Indo-Australian plate and the Eurasian plate had significant geological consequences. One of the major outcomes of this collision was the folding of sedimentary rocks that had accumulated in the Tethys geosyncline.
Formation of Sedimentary Rocks in Tethys Geosyncline:
- The Tethys geosyncline was a long, narrow trough that formed during the Mesozoic era. It extended from the eastern Mediterranean region to Southeast Asia.
- Over millions of years, sediments derived from erosion of surrounding land were deposited in the Tethys geosyncline, leading to the accumulation of thick layers of sedimentary rocks.
- These sedimentary rocks included various types such as sandstones, shales, and limestones, which were formed from the compaction and cementation of sediments.
Collision and Folding of Sedimentary Rocks:
- As the Indo-Australian plate moved northward, it gradually collided with the Eurasian plate.
- The collision resulted in the compression of the sediments that had accumulated in the Tethys geosyncline.
- The immense pressure and forces generated by the collision caused the sedimentary rocks to fold and buckle.
- The folding of the rocks created large-scale structures known as fold mountains or orogenic belts.
- The most prominent example of such a fold mountain range is the Himalayas, which were formed as a result of the collision between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates.
Importance of Fold Mountains:
- Fold mountains are significant features of the Earth's surface and have various implications.
- They are major sources of mineral deposits, including coal, oil, and natural gas.
- Fold mountains also play a crucial role in influencing climate patterns, as they can block the movement of air masses and cause rainfall on one side while creating arid conditions on the other.
- Furthermore, fold mountains are often associated with seismic activity and the occurrence of earthquakes.
In conclusion, the collision between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates resulted in the folding of sedimentary rocks that had accumulated in the Tethys geosyncline. This process led to the formation of large-scale fold mountains, such as the Himalayas. The folding of sedimentary rocks is a significant geological consequence of plate tectonics and has various implications for the Earth's surface and its processes.
The northward drift of the Indo-Australian plate resulted in its colli...
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