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The Shiwalik Range, also known as the Shivalik Hills or the Outer Himalayas, is a mountain range in northern India and southern Nepal. It is the southernmost and outermost range of the Himalayas. The formation of the Shiwalik Range is closely linked to the geological processes that shaped the Himalayan Mountain system.
The Himalayas, including the Shiwalik Range, have been formed through the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates over millions of years. Around 50 million years ago, the Indian plate, which was originally located south of the equator, began moving northward towards the Eurasian plate.
As the Indian plate approached the Eurasian plate, it started to subduct beneath it. Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate sinks beneath another due to the difference in density. The subduction of the Indian plate led to the upliftment of the overlying sedimentary and crustal rocks, creating the Himalayas.
The Shiwalik Range specifically formed during the later stages of Himalayan orogeny, which refers to the mountain-building processes. These later stages occurred approximately 2 to 5 million years ago. During this time, as the Indian plate continued to collide with the Eurasian plate, immense compressional forces acted on the sedimentary rocks that had accumulated in the region.
The compressional forces resulted in folding, faulting, and upliftment of the rocks, giving rise to the Shiwalik Range. The range primarily consists of sedimentary rocks, including sandstones, shales, conglomerates, and clay. These rocks were originally deposited in ancient marine and terrestrial environments.
The formation of the Shiwalik Range is a result of ongoing tectonic processes. The Indian plate is still pushing northward, causing the Himalayas to rise and the Shiwalik Range to experience continued deformation and uplift. These processes contribute to the dynamic nature of the region and its ongoing geological evolution.
You can refer to reputable geological textbooks and academic sources for detailed information on the geology and formation of the Shiwalik Range and the Himalayas. Here are a few references that you can consult:
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"The Himalaya: Geological Aspects" edited by P. S. Saklani (2016). Click to buy!
"The Making of India: Geodynamic Evolution" edited by K.S. Valdiya (2006). Click to buy!
"Geology of India and Burma" by Krishnan M. S (2013). Click to buy!
These references should provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the geology and formation of the Shiwalik Range.
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