Question

The origin of Himalayas can best be explained by
A)Continental Drift Theory
B)Ocean Floor Mapping
C)Theory of Plate Tectonics
D)None of these

Answer 1

Hint :The Himalayas are believed to have formed over 50 million years ago during the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian plate. Due to the density of the Indian plate being higher, it slid below the Eurasian plate and in the process disintegrated and clasped up the Eurasian plate into the various mountain ranges that are now a part of the Himalayas.

Complete answer :
Theory of Plate Tectonics is the most accepted theory which explains the Himalayan origin. This theory is the modern version of continental drift, a theory first proposed by scientist Alfred Wegener in 1912.
About 225 million years ago, India was a large island separated from Asia by the Tethys Sea. When the supercontinent “Pangea” began to break up about 200 Mya, India started to drift northwards toward Asia due to tectonic plate movement.
From about 50-40 Mya the rate of northward drift slowed down to 4-6 cm every year. This marked the beginning of the collision between the Eurasian and the Indian continental plates, closing of the former Tethys Sea and initiation of Himalayan uplift.
The Himalayas are still rising by more than 1 cm every year, which explains the occurrence of shallow focus earthquakes in the region. However, weathering and erosion are also lowering the Himalayas at the same rate. This shows that they are still in the process of formation. That’s why the Himalayas are considered young and restless.

Option C , is the correct answer.

Note :
It is important to note that the Himalayas do not consist of a single range but a series of three ranges running more or less parallel to each other.
They are supposed to be formed in three different phases following one after the other.
After the formation of the Great Himalayas, the middle Himalayas formed and finally in the last phase Shiwaliks were formed.