New tectonically active zone in Himalayas could alter quake study

News: Scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology(WIHG), Dehradun, have found that the Indus suture zone of Himalayas that was conventionally thought to be locked is tectonically active.

Facts:

• Indus Suture Zone: It is a suture zone in the Ladakh region where Indian and Asian Plates join.
• Geological Features that proves Indus Suture Zone is Tectonically active:
  • Sedimentary beds are tilted and thrust broken.
  • Rivers are associated with uplifted terraces.
  • Bedrock shows brittle deformation at much shallower depths.

Additional Facts:

• Suture Zone: It is a linear belt of intense deformation where distinct terranes or tectonic units with different plate tectonic, metamorphic and paleogeographic histories join together.