Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A recent study has revealed that the Indian tectonic plate is shifting towards the Eurasian plate at a rate of 2mm per year, resulting in a decrease in landmass. This movement is causing significant geological changes, including the growth of the Himalayas and a potential splitting of Tibet.
The collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate is causing the Himalayas to grow taller. The study suggested that the collision is occurring faster in the oceans compared to land, impacting the topography and geological features of the region.
The research indicated that Tibet may be undergoing a process of tearing apart into two parts due to the movement of the tectonic plates. Geophysicists described the surface of the plate peeling off, resembling the lid of a tin of fish. This process began around 60 million years ago as India collided with Eurasia.
The study was led by Lin Liu, a geophysicist from the Ocean University of China and presented it at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. It highlighted the complexities of the Himalayan region, challenging previous beliefs about its geological makeup.
Lin Liu expressed surprise at the discovery, stating that continents can behave in unexpected ways. The solid earth science community considered this finding fundamental in understanding the geological processes shaping the Earth's landscape.
The study observed a faster rate of collision in oceanic regions than on land. In cases of oceanic and continental plate collisions, the denser oceanic plate will slide beneath the lighter continental plate in a process known as subduction. This phenomenon may contribute to increased seismic activity in North India, Northeast India, and Tibet.
The study relied on the analysis of earthquake waves beneath Tibet and gases rising to the surface. Geodynamicists emphasized the importance of understanding the limitations and uncertainties of the process, acknowledging that the data provides only a snapshot of the ongoing geological changes.
The research contributed to a better understanding of how tectonic plates interact. Geophysicists anticipate that this knowledge will aid in developing more effective earthquake prediction methods, offering insights into the dynamic geological evolution of the region.