Explain the origin of Himalayas on the basis of Plate Tectonics theory.

Origin of the Himalayas Based on Plate Tectonics Theory:

According to the Plate Tectonics Theory (W.J. Morgan, Harry Hess, McKenzie - 1968), the Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by a major Continent-Continent (C-C) Convergent Plate Collision:

• 1. Breakup of Gondwanaland & Northward Drift: ~100–120 million years ago (Mesozoic Era), the Indian Tectonic Plate separated from Gondwanaland and drifted rapidly north-northeastwards across the ancient Tethys Ocean towards the stationary Eurasian Plate.
• 2. Continental Collision & Subduction (c. 50–55 Million Years Ago): During the Eocene epoch, the buoyant continental Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate, initiating subduction beneath Tibet.
• 3. Crumpling of Tethyan Marine Geosynclinal Sediments: Intense tectonic compression squeezed, folded, faulted, and uplifted the vast marine sedimentary strata of the Tethys Geosyncline into colossal mountain folds in three sequential phases:
  1. Greater Himalayas (Himadri): Oligocene epoch.
  2. Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): Miocene epoch.
  3. Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks): Pliocene-Pleistocene epoch.
• Ongoing Tectonic Uplift: The Indian Plate continues to push under Tibet at ~5 cm/year, causing ongoing seismic activity and continuous height increase of Everest.