Download Formation of Himalayas

Formation of Himalayas
The Himalayas are being pushed higher by an ongoing
continental collision.
1
H
Convergent Boundary Develops
As India began moving toward Eurasia 200 million years ago, a
convergent boundary developed along the edge of Eurasia. The
oceanic lithosphere between the two continents sank into a
subduction zone.
India
Eurasia
im
ala
yas
Folded mountains formed as
oceanic and
continental
plates pushed
together.
Volcanoes formed as magma
rose from the subduction
zone to the surface.
2
Continental Collision Begins
The sea floor was completely destroyed about 50 million years
ago, and India and Eurasia collided.
Crust along the
edges of both
continents was
crumpled and
folded into
mountains.
Subduction stopped after
the continents collided. No
more magma formed.
3
The Collision Continues
Currently, the Himalayas are growing more than one centimeter
higher each year.
Himalayas
As the collision
continues, the
crust keeps
folding. Also,
earthquakes
are common.
A remnant of sea floor crust
remains deep under the
mountains.
In each illustration, where is the boundary between India and Eurasia?
Chapter 8: Mountains and Volcanoes 257