---
title: "Lithology of Higher Himalaya and Tethys zone"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:lithology-of-higher-himalaya-and"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/lithology-of-higher-himalaya-and
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Lithology of Higher Himalaya and Tethys zone

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 7: Geology of Nepal

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 3 marks; 2073 Shrawan, 2 marks; 2069 Chaitra, 2 marks (asked 3 times)
- Video: [Lecture 52: Himalayan Tectonics- I](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9g60-ey944) — IIT Roorkee July 2018
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/lithology-of-higher-himalaya-and
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-7

## Question

Describe the lithological characteristics of the Higher Himalaya and the Tibetan-Tethys zone.

## Short answer

The Higher Himalaya consists of high-grade metamorphic rocks like kyanite-silimanite schist, gneiss, migmatite, calc-silicate gneiss, marble, augen gneiss, quartzite, and leucogranite intrusions. The Tibetan-Tethys zone comprises Cambrian to Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks: limestone, shale, sandstone, slate, quartzite, and marl, with famous ammonite fossils in Jurassic shale.

## Answer

**Higher (Great) Himalaya.** Lies between the MCT and STDS; altitude about 4000-8848 m. Rocks are Precambrian to Early Palaeozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks and granites.

**Lithology (three formations)**
- **Formation I (lower):** kyanite-sillimanite schist and gneiss, with migmatite.
- **Formation II (middle):** calc-silicate gneiss, marble and diopside-bearing rocks.
- **Formation III (upper):** augen gneiss, quartzite, and the Manaslu and other leucogranite intrusions.

**Structure:** the Higher Himalaya is a thick slab of crystalline rocks whose foliation dips generally northward at gentle to moderate angles. It is bounded by the MCT below and the STDS above, and is folded and sheared near these boundaries. Glacial and periglacial landforms are common.

**Engineering problems:** very high relief, rockfall, avalanches, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), glacial and moraine hazards, hard rock needing blasting, and difficult access.

**Tibetan-Tethys (Inner, Trans) Himalaya.** Lies north of the Higher Himalaya, beyond the STDS; altitude about 2500-5000 m. It has a dry, rain-shadow climate.

**Lithology:** Cambrian to Cretaceous (and Eocene) marine sedimentary rocks, rich in fossils: limestone, shale, sandstone, slate, quartzite and marl; the Thakkhola graben has Neogene sediments. The famous ammonite fossils (shaligram) of the Kali Gandaki valley come from Jurassic shale.

**Structure:** a thick sedimentary pile, unmetamorphosed or weakly metamorphosed, folded (open to tight folds) and thrust in places, and cut by later normal faults (Thakkhola graben).

**Engineering problems:** karst in limestone, frost action, permafrost, rockfall, and difficult access.

## Check yourself

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

1. The Higher Himalaya lies between:
   A. MFT and MBT
   B. MBT and MCT
   C. STDS and the Tibetan border only
   D. MCT and STDS
   Answer: D. The Tethys zone lies beyond the STDS. (Key point: Boundaries)

2. The Higher Himalaya rocks are:
   A. High-grade metamorphic rocks and granites
   B. Fossiliferous limestone
   C. Unconsolidated alluvium
   D. Weak sandstone
   Answer: A. Schist, gneiss, migmatite, marble and leucogranite. (Key point: Rocks)

3. Which hazard is typical of the Higher Himalaya?
   A. Karst only
   B. Glacial lake outburst floods and avalanches
   C. Liquefaction in alluvium
   D. Arsenic in groundwater
   Answer: B. High relief and glaciers drive these. (Key point: GLOF)

4. The shaligram ammonites of Kali Gandaki come from:
   A. Siwalik sandstone
   B. Terai alluvium
   C. Jurassic shale of the Tethys zone
   D. Higher Himalaya gneiss
   Answer: C. Tethys rocks are rich in fossils. (Key point: Tethys fossils)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Lithology of Lesser and Tethys Himalaya; Siwalik difference](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Alithology-of-lesser-and-tethys) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Discontinuities; Siwalik and Higher Himalaya lithology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Adiscontinuities-siwalik-and-higher-himalaya) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Physiographic division; Siwalik and Higher Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aphysiographic-division-siwalik-and-higher) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Lesser Himalaya zone in detail](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Alesser-himalaya-zone-in-detail) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Altitude and lithology of Churiya, Fore and Trans Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aaltitude-and-lithology-of-churiya) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7

## Related in other subjects

- [Problems of Higher and Tethys Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahigher-tethys-problems) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2
- [Geological hazards of Higher Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahigher-himalaya-hazards) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2
- [Problems of Siwalik and Higher Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Asiwalik-higher-himalaya-problems) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2, asked 2×