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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Rock Types
Plate Techtonics and Landforms
Plate Boundaries and Landforms
Weathering and Erosion Processes
Liquid Water
Glaciers
Other Processes
Rock Types:
The Himalayas in Nepal show a very diverse array of rock types, indicative of the intricate geological history of the region. Among the most prevalent rocks are sedimentary like shale and limestone, mainly situated in foothills and foreland basins. Metamorphic rocks, such as schist and gneiss, dominate the higher elevations, a result of intense tectonic forces from the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The subduction of the Indian plate beneath the Eurasian plate has facilitated the formation of igneous rocks through volcanic activity. The geological history, marked by plate convergence, folding, faulting, and uplift over millions of years, has sculpted the remarkable mountainous terrain of the Himalayas, with ongoing processes like subduction and metamorphism continually shaping the rock composition in this dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
Plate Techtonics and Landforms
Continual tectonic action among the Indian and Eurasian plates is what creates Nepal's breathtaking scenery. The Himalayas are the result of the plates colliding, with the Indian plate progressively shifting northward at a constant rate. The Indian plate subducts under the Eurasian plate, producing an extreme heat and pressure that triggers seismic activity and volcanic eruptions. Although not a volcanic area, Nepal suffers from regular earthquakes as a result of this subduction. Uplifted by these tectonic forces, the Himalayas have been eroded by glaciers, rivers, and weathering over millions of years, creating the stunning and varied landforms that characterize Nepal's geography today.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1367912099000474
Plate Boundaries and Landforms:
The Himalayas in Nepal are near the convergent boundary of the Indo-Australian and Asian tectonic plates. The collision between these plates has given rise to the Himalayan mountain range, and the associated tectonic activity is responsible for the frequent earthquakes in the region. The April 25, 2015 earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, was a consequence of the ongoing convergence between these plates, leading to the release of built-up strain along fault lines. The quake, occurring at a shallow depth of about 15km, resulted in a significant movement of the Earth (up to 3m) and affected a densely populated area in Kathmandu. The geology and landforms in the Himalayas are continuously shaped by these tectonic processes, contributing to the region's vulnerability to seismic events, landslides, and other geological hazards.
Weathering and Erosion Processes:
Because Nepal’s topography has such a variety, land degradation is a prominent issue in the Himalayas and Nepal all together. Soil erosion is a major issue because with intense rain seasons and monsoons, Nepal is likely to experience floods, landslides and soil erosion. Soil erosion greatly affects Nepal as Nepal is a rural based economy where they depend a lot on the crops. Soil erosion can lead to less soil and crop productivity as well as pollution of land and water sources and overall loss of farm income.
https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/3/1/12
Liquid Water
Nepal gets their water from the lowland plateaus where melted glaciers, packed with ice and snow, flow down into. The largest water source used is sourced from Kathmandu Valley. However, due to pollution as well as water scarcity in some parts of Nepal, it is estimated that 80% of the population is lacking safe and adequate drinking water. Due to climate change, the glaciers that served as a steady controlled water source are now melting. As Nepal's population increases, the Himmilayns can’t sustain the water supply, creating a stronger prevalence of water scarcity. Alternative sources of water is the only way people of Nepal can continue to seek clean and reliable water. Researchers recommended an alternative method of the collection of rainwater to increase the water supply. The reliability of that approach could be flawed as a lack of predictable rainfall has increased over the years due to climate change, challenging the idea of a true monsoon season in which Nepal has previously experienced.
Glaciers:
Nepal is home to some of the largest mountainous regions on earth which in relation means the perfect environment for glaciers. Unfortunately, as a result of climate change, there’s no doubt the glaciers in the himalayan mountains have melted significantly, “glaciers have shrunk 10-times faster over the past four decades than during the previous seven centuries”. (Judy Woodruff). People have started to migrate due to the unpredictable weather and conditions. Difficulties especially arise when it comes to water predictability. There’s either a shortage or there is a monsoon, it is very unreliable and has forced the people that live in valleys of Nepal to have significant lifestyle changes. The Himalayan mountains affect more than 300 million people in the region. The massive ice reserves contribute to the flow of many different rivers in the area. Due to climate change, the Tibetan plateau has been warming up which increases the amount of water from the ice reserves that melts into the rivers. These sudden bursts of water severely impact the villages in the area and just overall add to Nepal's issue with floods due to unpredictable climate change.
Other Processes
Nepal is a completely landlocked country so a majority of its landforms have come to be due to erosion from lakes and rivers and tectonic plate activity. Wind has helped to shape some landforms in the Himalayas by creating Sand Dunes. These sand dunes can be found in Hunder and Nubra Valley of India but specifically in Nepal they are located around the China-Nepal border. The Dang and Deukhuk valleys were formed by both water and wind erosion as well. While the Trisuli River is mostly responsible for the creation of Jalbire Canyon, wind also helped it come to be and it is now a very popular tourist destination.
https://traveltips.usatoday.com/landforms-nepal-59134.html
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