Beneath the towering Himalayas, the geology is more intricate than ever imagined, with some researchers claiming that Tibet might be tearing apart amid the rising mountains. The research presented at the American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting unveils this startling revelation about the Himalayas and Tibet.
Led by Ocean University of China geophysicist Lin Liu, a team of researchers delves into the depths of Tibet’s tectonic drama. By combining S-wave and shear-wave splitting data with P-wave data from 94 seismic stations, the researchers construct a nuanced model of subterranean activity, challenging existing perceptions.
COLLIDING GIANTS: INDIAN AND EURASIAN PLATES
The Himalayas rise as a consequence of the collision between two colossal continental plates – the Indian and Eurasian plates. Unlike cases where oceanic and continental plates collide, the dynamics here are more intricate, leaving geoscientists puzzled about the processes underway in Tibet.
SUBDUCTION COMPLEXITY: INDIAN PLATE’S DILEMMA
In the collision zone beneath the Himalayas, predicting the fate of the Indian plate is no straightforward task. Some propose underplating, where the Indian plate slides beneath the Eurasian plate without deep subduction. Others suggest a more complex scenario, involving both subduction and delamination.
THE PEELING PLATE: DELAMINATING DYNAMICS
The new research hints at a dual explanation. Evidence suggests that the Indian plate is indeed subducting, but with a twist – it’s warping and tearing. The upper half appears to be delaminating, peeling away as the tectonic drama unfolds beneath the world’s highest mountain range.
UNRAVELING THE SUBTERRANEAN MYSTERY
To capture a clearer picture of the tumultuous activity below Tibet, researchers analyze earthquake waves traversing the collision zone. Images reconstructed from these waves reveal what appears to be tears in the Indian plate’s crust, providing insight into the intricate and evolving dynamics.
VARIABLE DEPTHS AND UNSEEN CHALLENGES
The study uncovers variable depths of the Indian plate, ranging from 62 miles (100 km) to a staggering 124 miles (200 km). This variability suggests that parts of the plate are peeling away, adding a layer of complexity to our understanding of the tectonic processes shaping the Himalayas.
As Tibet’s geology unfolds its secrets, the research sheds light on the dynamic and complex processes shaping the Himalayas. The revelation of a potentially tearing Indian plate beneath the colossal peaks adds a new chapter to our understanding of the subterranean dramas playing out beneath the world’s highest mountain range.
Tibet is bordered by the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan, and by Myanmar, India, Bhutan, and Nepal. It is also bordered by the disputed Kashmir region and the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang.
Tibet is the second-largest province-level division of China, spanning over 1,200,000 square kilometres.
Tibet is made up of the three provinces of Amdo, Kham, and U-Tsang.
The capital of Tibet is Lhasa, which is home to the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
