Skip to main content
Log in

Geomorphic and structural evidences of neotectonic activity in the Sub-Himalayan belt of Nahan Salient, NW India

  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Neotectonism in the Sub-Himalayan belt is not new. Moreover, the word ‘Sub-Himalaya’ is almost synonymous with ‘neotectonic activity’. In the present paper, we report some of the most convincing geomorphic and structural evidences of neotectonic activity from the Sub-Himalayan belt in the Nahan Salient. The geomorphic evidences mainly include the four geomorphic surfaces identified from the transverse topographic profiles drawn parallel to the Himalayan front. These surfaces are commonly covered with terrace deposits that are tilted as well as faulted at a number of places. A number of faults, directly observable in the field, are normal in nature and they are oriented at high angles to the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). These faults are similar to the E-W extension in southern Tibet in response to the oblique convergence of India at ∼N20°E in the NW Himalaya. They are attributable to the kinematics of neotectonic compression along the HFT, the frontal ramp-oblique ramp-frontal ramp geometry of the thrust fault and related adjustments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armijo, R., Tapponnier, P., Mercier, J.L. and T-L, H. (1986) Quaternary extension in the southern Tibet: field observations and tectonic implications. Jour. Geophys. Res., v.91, pp.13803–13872.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delcaillau, B., Carozza, J.M. and Laville, E. 2006. Recent fold growth and drainage development: the Janauri and Chandigarh anticlines in Siwalik foothills, NW India. Geomorphology, v.76, pp.241–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubey, A.K. (1997) Simultaneous development of noncylindrical folds, frontal ramps, and transfer faults in a compression regime: Experimental investigations of Himalayan examples. Tectonics, v.16, pp.336–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubey, A.K. and Bhakuni, S.S. (2004) Development of extension faults on the oblique thrust ramp hanging wall: example from the Tethys Himalaya. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.24, pp.427–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, S., Wesnousky, S.G., Rockwell, T.K., Briggs, R.W., Thakur, V.C. and Perumal, R. J. (2006) Paleoseismic evidence of great surface rupture earthquakes along the Indian Himalaya. Jour. Geophys. Res., 111(B03304), doi: 10.1029/2004JB003309.

  • Nakata, T. (1972) Geomorphic history and crustal movement of the foothills of the Himalaya. Report of Tohoku University, 7th Series. (Geography), v.2, pp.39–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parkash, B., Sharma, R.P. and Roy, A.K. (1980) The Siwalik Group (Molasse) sediments shed by the collision of continental plates. Sedimentary Geol., v.25, pp.127–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, J., Burgmann, R., Gaur, V.K., Bilham, R., Larson, K.M., Ananda, M.B., Jade, S., Mukul, M., Anupama, T. S., Satyal, G. and Kumar, D. (2001) The motion and active deformation of India. Geohys. Res. Lett., v.28, pp.647–651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powers, P.M., Lille, R.J. and Yeats, R.S. (1998) Structure and shortening of the Kangra and Dehra Dun reentrants, Sub-Himalaya, India. Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., v.110, pp.1010–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raiverman, V. (2002) Foreland sedimentation: in Himalayan tectonic regime. A relook at the orogenic process. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Publication, Dehradun. 371p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumm, S.A. (1993) River response to base level change: implications for sequence stratigraphy. Jour. Geol., v.101, pp.279–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A.K., Parkash, B., Mohindra, R., Thomas, J.V. and Singhvi, A.K. (2001) Quaternary alluvial fan sedimentation in the Dehradun valley piggyback basin, NW Himalaya: tectonic and palaeoclimatic implications. Basin Res., v.13, pp.449–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, T. (2006) Structure and Morphotectonics of a part of the Himalayan Foothills in the Morni Hills of Northern Haryana and adjoining territories of Himalchal Pradesh and Chandigarh. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Panjab University Chandigarh.

  • Singh, T. (2008) Tectonic implications of geomorphometric characterization of watersheds using spatial correlation: Mohand Ridge, NW Himalaya, India. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, v.54, pp.489–501. DOI: 10.1127/0372-8854/2008/0052-0489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, T. and Jain, V. (2009) Tectonic constraints on watershed development on frontal ridges: Mohand Ridge, NW Himalaya, India. Geomorphology, v.106, pp.231–241. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.11.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, T. and Awasthi, A.K. (2010) Stream profiles as indicators of active tectonic deformation along the Intra-Foreland Thrust, Nahan Salient, NW Himalaya. Curr. Sci., v.98, pp.95–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, D.C. and John, G. (1999) Deformation in the Himalayan frontal zone: evidence from small scale structures in the Mohand — Khara area, NW Himalaya. Gondwana Res. Group Mem., v.6, pp.273–284.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tejpal Singh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Singh, T., Sharma, U., Awasthi, A.K. et al. Geomorphic and structural evidences of neotectonic activity in the Sub-Himalayan belt of Nahan Salient, NW India. J Geol Soc India 77, 175–182 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-011-0021-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-011-0021-8

Keywords

Navigation