The Himalayas are known as young mountains, because they are still forming. The Indian and Australian plates are still moving northwards at about 45 millimetres each year, making this boundary very active. It is predicted that over the next 10 million years, the Himalayan mountains will increase in height by about 5 millimetres each year. It is important to note that movement of tectonic plates is often sudden and causes earthquakes.
FIGURE10 The movement of the Indian landmass to its current location
SkillBuilder discussion Investigating Based on what you have read, and the information in FIGURE10 , work in pairs to make a list of five questions you could ask to find out more about the geographical phenomenon of plate movements.
Eurasian Plate
10 million years ago
I ND I A today
SRI LANKA
38 million years ago
INDIAN
OCEAN
55 million years ago
1000 km
0
500
71 million years ago
India landmass
Key
India Sri Lanka Coastline
Sri Lanka
Source: Map drawn by MAPgraphics Pty Ltd, Brisbane
14.3 SkillBuilder activity GEOGRAPHICAL INQUIRY 1. Explain the formation of fold mountains. You can create a flow chart to help with your explanation. 2. Discuss why this type of tectonic activity creates mountain ranges and not individual peaks. 3. Explain why you think the largest mountains of the world are created through this process.
TOPIC14 Geomorphological processes and hazards
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