Geology of the Nepal Himalaya: Regional Perspective of the Classic Collided Orogen (Regional Geology Reviews)

This book addresses the geology of the entire Himalayan range in Nepal, i.e., from the Gangetic plain in the south to the Tethyan zone in the north. Without a comprehensive look at the various Himalayan zones, it is practically impossible to fully grasp the processes at work behind the formation and development of the spectacular Himalaya. However, the goal is not merely to document all the scientific ontology but rather to reveal a sound basis for the prevailing concepts. Both the early literature on Himalayan geology and contemporary trends are fully covered. For the first time, the origin, use, and abuse of common Himalayan geological terms such as the Siwaliks, Lesser Himalaya, Main Boundary Thrust, Main Central Thrust, and Tethys are discussed. The book will help readers to progress from a cognitive approach to a constructive one by linking various types of knowledge, such as seeking relations between various geological structures as well as between earlier thoughts or views and contemporary approaches. Front Matter....Pages i-xxiv Introduction....Pages 1-10 Front Matter....Pages 11-11 Geological Setting of Himalaya....Pages 13-21 Physiography of Nepal....Pages 23-33 Front Matter....Pages 35-35 Northwest Himalaya....Pages 37-52 Southeast Himalaya and Adjacent Indian Peninsula....Pages 53-62 Front Matter....Pages 63-63 Introduction to Lesser Himalaya....Pages 65-80 Lesser Himalaya of Mahakali–Seti Region....Pages 81-91 Lesser Himalaya of Karnali–Bheri Region....Pages 93-124 Lesser Himalaya of Gandaki Region....Pages 125-152 Lesser Himalaya of Bagmati–Gosainkund Region....Pages 153-162 Lesser Himalaya of Koshi Region....Pages 163-177 Lesser Himalaya of Arun–Tamar Region....Pages 179-193 Front Matter....Pages 195-195 Introduction to Higher Himalaya....Pages 197-211 Higher Himalaya of Mahakali–Seti Region....Pages 213-218 Higher Himalaya of Karnali–Bheri Region....Pages 219-225 Higher Himalaya of Gandaki Region....Pages 227-235 Higher Himalaya of Bagmati–Gosainkund Region....Pages 237-249 Higher Himalaya of Koshi Region....Pages 251-258 Higher Himalaya of Arun–Tamar Region....Pages 259-265 Models of Himalayan Metamorphism....Pages 267-282 Front Matter....Pages 283-283 Introduction to Tethys Himalaya....Pages 285-294 Tethys Himalaya of Mahakali Region....Pages 295-304 Tethys Himalaya of Karnali–Bheri Region (Dolpa)....Pages 305-315 Tethys Himalaya of Gandaki Region (Thakkhola)....Pages 317-344 Tethys Himalaya of Gandaki Region (Manang)....Pages 345-360 Tethys Himalaya of Koshi Region (Mount Everest and Neighborhood)....Pages 361-368 Front Matter....Pages 369-369 Introduction to Siwaliks....Pages 371-384 Siwaliks of Mahakali–Seti Region....Pages 385-390 Siwaliks of Karnali–Bheri Region....Pages 391-408 Siwaliks of Gandaki Region....Pages 409-417 Siwaliks of Bagmati–Gosainkund Region....Pages 419-426 Siwaliks of Koshi Region....Pages 427-432 Siwaliks of Arun–Tamar Region....Pages 433-438 Front Matter....Pages 439-439 Terai and Intermontane Basins....Pages 441-459 Neotectonics....Pages 461-477 Conclusions....Pages 479-485 Back Matter....Pages 487-498