Download 6.1 himalaya 4

Himalayas
Abode of the Gods
Learning Objectives
1 – Apply the mountain building cycle to the
tectonic evolution of the Himalaya.
2 – Understand the unique geological features
found in active continent-continent collisions
and identify these in other mountain systems.
3 –Understand how continent-continent
collisions can change climates and climates can
influence the landscape of collisions.
1 – Apply the mountain building cycle to the tectonic evolution of the Himalaya.
Igneous rocks?
Sedimentary Rocks?
Metamorphic Rocks?
Question 6.1-2
Where would you explore for gems and mineral resources – for energy resources?
Gems and mineral resources
Energy Resources
Summary of Outcome 6.1
• Mountains are born in the Ocean
– Accumulation Phase (passive margin)
– Thick deposits of sediment sourced from another
mountain building event
• Mountains rise by plate convergence and thickening
the crust.
• Collision zones are the ultimate mountain builders –
thicken the crust the most.
• Thick continental crust is unstable because it is warm
and weak.
• Mountain system collapses and erodes, which restarts
the cycle.
2 – Understand the unique geological features found in active
continent-continent collisions and identify these in other
mountain systems.
• Subduction initiation (seed of continental crust)
• Arc collision (amalgamation of continental crust)
Arc-arc collision
Arc-Seamount collision
Arc-continent collision
• Continent – Continent Collision (fusion of continental
masses into super continent)
• Breakup of super continent by subduction initiation
Arc-Continent Collision
What happens to a Passive Continental Margin
that enters a subduction zone?
Accumulation
phase
crustal thickening
phase
Price, 1981
1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake
2 – Understand the unique geological features found in active continent-continent collisions and
identify these in other mountain systems.
Sedimentation
Metamorphism