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Formation, Age, and Composition

Geological Age

1. The Himalayas are young fold mountains, evidenced by:
   • Deep gorges
   • U-turn river courses
   • Parallel ranges
   • Steep gradients
   • Landslides
2. Relative Age of Ranges:
   • The Shiwalik Range (Outer Himalayas) is the youngest mountain range in India.
   • The Great Himalayan Range is the oldest among the parallel fold ranges.
3. Geological Eras:
   • The Shiwalik series of rocks was formed in the Cenozoic era.
   • Among Indian rock systems, the Gondwana system is younger than the Vindhyan, Cuddapah, and Dharwar systems.

Rock Composition and Fossils

• The sedimentary rocks of the Greater Himalayas are fossil-less.
• The sedimentary rocks of the Lesser Himalayas contain marine living fossils.
• Remains of human civilization are found in the Outer or Shiwalik Himalayas.

Physiographic Divisions of the Himalayas

Major Parallel Ranges (North to South)

1. Great Himalayas (Himadri): Oldest and highest range.
2. Lesser Himalayas: Located between the Shiwalik and the Great Himalayas.
3. Shiwalik Range: Southernmost and youngest foothills region.

Regional Divisions (West to East)

• Kashmir Himalaya: Where the ‘Karewa’ landform is found.
• Kumaon Himalaya: Situated between the Satluj and Kali rivers.

Specific Relief Feature Sequences

• South to North Sequence 1: Pir Panjal Range → Zaskar Range → Ladakh Range → Karakoram Range.
• South to North Sequence 2: Dhauladhar Range (Lesser Himalaya) → Zaskar Range → Ladakh Range → Karakoram Range.
• Mountain Peaks (East to West): Kanchenjunga → Everest → Dhaulagiri → Annapurna.

General Features

• The Himalayas are spread over more than five Indian states.
• The altitude of Shiwalik peaks is generally between 850 – 1200 meters.
• The tree-line in the western Himalayas is at a higher altitude compared to the eastern Himalayas.
• The height of the Great Himalayas is approximately 8,850 meters above sea level.
• “Himachal” refers to the Middle Himalaya range.
• Factors affecting vegetation change with altitude: Decrease in temperature, changes in rainfall, and strong winds.

Associated Landforms

Sub-Himalayan Flat Plains

• The flat plains along the sub-Himalayan region are called Bhabar.
• The Bhabar region is an example of a Piedmont situation (a plain at the base of mountains).

Characteristics of Himalayan Rivers

• Rivers originating from the Himalayas are perennial (flow year-round).
• This is due to precipitation from both the South-Western monsoon and winter snow, ensuring a continuous water supply.

Eastern Hills and Specific Ranges

Patkai Range

• It is one of the latest mountain ranges in origin.
• Indian states along the Patkai hills: Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Tripura is not situated along the Patkai hills.

Hill Ranges of Meghalaya (West-to-East Sequence)

• Correct sequence: Garo → Khasi → Jaintia.

Location of Important Places

• Cherrapunji is situated on the Khasi Hills.
• The Valley of Kashmir is situated between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range.
• Mount Kailash is situated in Tibet.

State-wise Locations of Hills

• Garo Hills: Meghalaya
• Miri Hills: Arunachal Pradesh
• Kollai Mallai Hills: Tamil Nadu
• Dalma Hills: Jharkhand

Specific Regions and Features

Ladakh Plateau

• It is a part of the Aksai Chin region.

Western Himalayan Resource Region

• Its main resources are forests.

Atal Tunnel

• Built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• Connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti Valley.
• Strategically important for India.
• (Note: The data indicates it is not located across the Pir Panjal Range).

Other Indian Geographical Features

Western Ghats

• They are spread over more than five Indian states.

Pulicat Lake

• It is spread over two states only (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu).

Geographical Extent

• The Himalayan Mountain Ranges are not a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh (the plains of Uttar Pradesh are south of the Himalayas).

Know More About the Northern Mountainous Region:

• Northern Mountainous Region – Physical Divisions of India – Old Year Questions
• Northern Mountainous Region – Physical Divisions of India One Liner Questions & Answers