---
title: "Himalaya formation and plate tectonic evidence"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:himalaya-formation-and-plate-tectonic"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/himalaya-formation-and-plate-tectonic
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Himalaya formation and plate tectonic evidence

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 2: Basic Reviews of the Earth

- Asked in: 2080 Baisakh, 1+2 marks
- Video: [How the Himalayas Changed the World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mto0ih2pvC8) — PBS Eons
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/himalaya-formation-and-plate-tectonic
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-2

## Question

How is the Himalaya formed? Mention the evidence of plate tectonics.

## Short answer

The Indian plate drifted north, subducted Tethys oceanic crust, and collided with Eurasia about 50 million years ago, compressing sediments into thrust-folded mountains that rise 4–5 cm/year. Key plate tectonics evidence: continental fit, matching fossils and rocks, and symmetrical sea-floor magnetic stripes.

## Answer

#### Formation of the Himalaya
About 200 million years ago the Indian plate broke from Gondwanaland and drifted north. The Tethys Sea between India and Eurasia narrowed as its floor was subducted under Eurasia. Around 50 million years ago the Indian continental plate collided with Eurasia. The light continental crust resisted subduction, so the thick Tethys sediments were compressed, folded and thrust southwards along the MCT, MBT and MFT, and uplifted to form the Himalaya. Movement continues at about 4-5 cm per year.

#### Evidences of plate tectonics
- The coastlines of continents fit together, such as South America and Africa.
- Matching rock types, mountain belts and fossils (Glossopteris, Mesosaurus) on separated continents.
- Sea-floor spreading shown by magnetic stripes symmetrical about mid-ocean ridges and young age of ocean floor near ridges.
- Distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes along plate boundaries.
- Palaeomagnetism and evidence of past glaciation in now-tropical lands.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Tethys sediments were thrust southwards along:
   A. San Andreas
   B. Moho
   C. MCT, MBT, MFT
   D. Gutenberg
   Answer: C. Main thrusts. (Key point: Himalaya)

2. Glossopteris and Mesosaurus fossils on separated continents show:
   A. Fossils were carried by wind
   B. Climate was uniform
   C. Continents are fixed
   D. Continents were once joined
   Answer: D. Same species across oceans. (Key point: Fossil evidence)

3. Symmetrical magnetic bands about ridges show:
   A. Sea-floor spreading
   B. Faulting
   C. Subduction
   D. Folding
   Answer: A. New crust forms at ridge. (Key point: Magnetic stripes)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Formation and evolution of the Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aformation-and-evolution-of-the) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2, asked 5×
- [Evidences of plate tectonics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aevidences-of-plate-tectonics) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2
- [Tectonic divisions of the Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atectonic-divisions-of-the-nepal) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 4×
- [Tectonic division and Lesser Himalaya geology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atectonic-division-and-lesser-himalaya) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Plate tectonics and plate boundaries](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aplate-tectonics-and-plate-boundaries) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2, asked 8×
- [Constructive and destructive boundary; Himalaya formation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aconstructive-and-destructive-boundary-himalaya) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

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- [Vortex formation in intake](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aintake-vortex-formation-no-vortex) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5