Question Details

The Himalayas have uplifted from which of the following geosynclines?

Options

A

Appalachians geosynclines

B

Aravalli geosynclines

C

Caledonian geosynclines

D

Tethys geosynclines

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option D

Tethys geosynclines

Solution :

The correct option is Tethys geosynclines.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Geological Background: Millions of years ago, the Earth's landmass was configured differently. There was a supercontinent in the north called Laurasia (or Angaraland) and another in the south called Gondwanaland.
Between these two massive landmasses lay a shallow, long, and narrow sea known as the Tethys Sea, which functioned as a giant geosyncline (a large-scale depression in the Earth's crust where sediments accumulate).

2. Sediment Accumulation: Over millions of years, rivers flowing from both the northern Laurasian landmass and the southern Gondwanaland landmass deposited vast amounts of silt, sand, and clay into the Tethys geosyncline.
These sedimentary layers became compacted and consolidated over geological time.

3. Tectonic Plate Collision: The Indian plate (part of Gondwanaland) began drifting northward due to convection currents in the Earth's mantle and eventually collided with the Eurasian plate (part of Laurasia).

4. Upliftment of the Himalayas: As the two plates converged, the sedimentary rocks that had accumulated in the Tethys geosyncline were subjected to intense lateral compressional forces.
This compression caused the sedimentary strata to fold, buckle, and uplift, eventually forming the fold mountain range we know today as the Himalayas.

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