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Chapter : 2. Physical Features of India
Formation of Himalayas
Formation of Himalayas : Geologists have us believe that where now Himalayas stand, once there was a vast sea (called Tethys). All these changes were brought about by the internal movements below the earth crust and external forces operating on the surface of the earth. The formation of Himalayas is also the result of these crystal plates. One of such plates (Indo-Australian plate) separated from the super continent Gondwana land and drifted slowly towards north. It collided with the much larger Eurasion plates about 5 crore years ago. The northern edge of the Indo-Australian plate was pushed beneath the Eurasion plate. As a result of the collision of these two plates, the sedimentary rocks of enclosed ocean were folded to form the so-called Himalayas and other mountain system of western Asia and central Asia.