---
title: "Geological hazards of Higher Himalaya"
subject: "Engineering Geology II"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_4/engineering_geology_ii:higher-himalaya-hazards"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/higher-himalaya-hazards
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Geological hazards of Higher Himalaya

Engineering Geology II · Chapter 2: Engineering Geology in Himalayas

- Asked in: 2068 Bhadra, 2.5 marks
- Video: [Himalayan Tunneling 🚇 | Engineering Challenges & Geotechnical Risks in Lesser & Higher Himalayas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD1DPqqzrWo) — ACoreConcept
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/higher-himalaya-hazards
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/chapter-2

## Question

Describe the major geological hazards in the Higher Himalayan zone.

## Short answer

Major hazards are GLOFs, snow avalanches, rock falls and landslides from steep jointed slopes, debris flows, earthquakes on active thrusts (MCT), frost action, permafrost thaw, and rock burst in deep tunnels.

## Answer

The Higher Himalaya contains the highest peaks and is made of gneiss, schist, quartzite and granite with high relief, glaciers and snow. Its major geological hazards are:

1. **Glacier hazards and GLOF:** melting glaciers fill moraine-dammed lakes that burst and cause floods.
2. **Snow avalanches** on steep slopes, which destroy roads and settlements.
3. **Rock fall, rock avalanche and landslides** from steep, jointed, frost-shattered rock slopes.
4. **Debris flows** from moraines and glacial deposits during heavy rain or melting.
5. **Earthquakes** due to active thrusts such as the MCT and related faults.
6. **Frost action and permafrost thaw** which weaken ground.
7. **Rock burst and squeezing** in deep tunnels because of high stress.

## Check yourself

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

1. How does a GLOF occur?
   A. A moraine-dammed glacial lake bursts and floods downstream
   B. An earthquake lowers the sea
   C. A river dries up
   D. Rain fills a quarry
   Answer: A. Melting glaciers fill moraine-dammed lakes that can burst. (Key point: GLOF)

2. Why do rock falls and rock avalanches occur in the Higher Himalaya?
   A. Flat slopes and soft clay
   B. Steep, jointed, frost-shattered slopes
   C. Deep alluvium
   D. Lack of snow
   Answer: B. Steep jointed rock shattered by frost fails as rock fall and avalanches. (Key point: Rock slope failure)

3. Which hazards affect deep tunnels in this zone?
   A. Liquefaction
   B. Rock burst and squeezing from high stress
   C. Arsenic
   D. Gully erosion
   Answer: B. High stress at depth causes rock burst and squeezing. (Key point: Tunnel hazard)

## Related in Engineering Geology II

- [Himalayan hazards and mitigation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahimalaya-hazards-mitigation) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [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×
- [Factors causing hazards in Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-himalaya-hazard-factors) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [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
- [Engineering geological problems of Siwalik zone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Asiwalik-problems) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2, asked 4×
- [Mitigation of geological hazards](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ageohazard-mitigation-measures) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5

## Related in other subjects

- [Lithology of Higher Himalaya and Tethys zone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Alithology-of-higher-himalaya-and) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 3×
- [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