Produced by: Manoj Kumar
The Himalayas arose from a 60-million-year collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, a slow-motion event shaping Earth’s tallest peaks.
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Beneath these peaks, enigmatic tectonic dynamics continue, resisting subduction and challenging traditional geologic theories.
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Unlike oceanic plates, continental plates are thick and buoyant, making their collision behavior a matter of ongoing scientific debate.
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One theory suggests the Indian Plate slides horizontally beneath Tibet, while another posits its lower section subducts into the mantle.
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A study analyzing earthquake waves beneath Tibet and gases surfacing nearby reveals a potential fracture in the Indian Plate.
The research suggests the denser lower portion of the Indian Plate is peeling away, or “delaminating,” from its upper layer.
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Evidence indicates a vertical tear separating the delaminated slab from the untouched portion, reshaping tectonic models.
Geodynamicist Douwe van Hinsbergen noted, “We didn’t know continents could behave this way—this is fundamental for solid Earth science.”
Presented at the American Geophysical Union conference, this study offers insights into Himalayan formation and earthquake risk assessment.
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