Skip to main content
Log in

Linkage of paraglacial processes from last glacial to recent inferred from Spituk sequence, Leh valley, Ladakh Himalaya

  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The paraglacial sequence in the Leh valley, Ladakh Himalaya preserves imprints of various processes active during deglaciation in the late phase of Last Glacial. In present work, a high resolution sedimentological record generated for Spituk is presented identifying aeolian episodes, mudflow events from Ladakh Range and debris flows extending from Zanskar Range across present Indus River. Two temporal phases of water ponding within Spituk Sequence are also identified. The seismites recorded at various stratigraphic depths and their association with the sediment facies signifies gravity induced process besides possible seismic activity as an added phenomena. Linkage between paraglacial processes since Last Glacial to Recent is tracked and evaluated.

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

  • Allen, J. (1977) The possible mechanics of convolute lamination in graded sand beds. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.134, pp.19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagati, T.N., Mazari, R.K. and Rajagopalan, G. (1996) Palaeotectonic implication of Lamayuru lake(Ladakh). Curr. Sci., v.71, pp.479–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagati, T.N. and Thakur, V.C. (1993) Quaternary basins of Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti in northwestern Himalaya. Curr. Sci., v.64, pp.898–903.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballantyne, C. (2002a) A general model of paraglacial landscape response. The Holocene, v.12, pp.371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballantyne, C. (2002b) Paraglacial geomorphology. Quaternary Sci. Rev., v.21, pp.1935–2017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhutani, R., Pande K. and Venkatesan, T.R. (2009) 40Ar-39Ar dating of volcanic rocks of the Shyok suture zone in north-westtrans-Himalaya: Implications for the post-collision evolution of the Shyok suture zone. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.34(2), pp.168–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boggs, S. (2009) Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 600p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brookfield, M.E. and Andrews-Speed, C.P. (1984) Sedimentology, petrography and tectonic significance of the shelf, flysch and molasse clastic deposits across the Indus suture zone, Ladakh, NW India. Sedimen. Geol., v.40, pp.249–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, E.T., Bendick, R., Bourles, D.L., Gaur, V., Molnar, P., et al. (2002) Slip rates of the Karakorum fault, Ladakh, India, determined using cosmic ray exposure dating of debris flows and moraines Jour. Geophys. Res., v.107, pp.2192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burbank, D.W. and Fort, M.B. (1985) Bedrock control on glacial limits: Examples from the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, northwestern Himalaya, India. Jour. Glaciology, v.31, pp.143–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgisser, H.M., Gansser, A. and Pika, J. (1982) Late Glacial lake sediments of the Indus valley area, northwestern Himalayas. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, v.75, pp.51–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Church, M. and Ryder, J. (1972) Paraglacial sedimentation: a consideration of fluvial processes conditioned by glaciation. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.83, pp.3059.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clift, P.D., Campbell, I.H., Pringle, M.S., Carter, A., Zhang, X., et al. (2004) Thermochronology of the modern Indus River bedload: New insight into the controls on the marine stratigraphic record. Tectonics, v.23, pp.1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, M. and Hodges, K. (1995) Evidence for Tibetan plateau uplift before 14 Myr ago from a new minimum age for eastwest extension. Nature, v.374, pp.49–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dainelli, G. (1922) Studi sul glaciale Nicola Zanichelli [Finito di stampare a Firenze nelle tipografia” Enrico Ariani”].

  • Drew, F. (1873) Alluvial and lacustrine deposits and glacial records of the Upper-Indus Basin. Qua. Jour. Geol. Soc., v.29, pp.441–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dzulynski, S. (1965) New data on experimental production of sedimentary structures. Jour.Sediment. Res., v.35, pp.196–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dzuynski, S. and Smith, A.J. (1963) Convolute lamination, its origin, preservation, and directional significance. Jour. Sediment. Res., v.33, pp.616.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fort, M. (1978) Observations sur la g î omorphologie du Ladakh Bulletin de l’Association de Géographes Francais, v.452, pp.159–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fort, M. (1983) Geomorphological observations in the Ladakh area (Himalayas): Quaternary evolution and present dynamics Stratigraphy and Structure of Kashmir and Ladakh Himalaya. Hindustan Publishers, Delhi, India, pp.39–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fort, M., Burbank, D.W. and Freytet, P. (1989) Lacustrine sedimentation in a semiarid alpine setting: an example from Ladakh, Northwestern Himalaya. Quaternary Res., v.31, pp.332–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garzanti, E. and Van Haver, T. (1988) The Indus clastics: forearc basin sedimentation in the Ladakh Himalaya (India) Sediment. Geol., v.59, pp.237–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hein, F., (1982) Depositional mechanisms of deep-sea coarse clastic sediments, Cap Enrage Formation, Quebec. Canadian Jour. Earth Sci., v.19, pp.267–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobley, D. E. J., Sinclair, H.D. and Cowie, P. A. (2010) Processes, rates, and time scales of fluvial response in an ancient postglacial landscape of the northwest Indian Himalaya. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.122, pp.1569–1584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jade, S., Bhatt, B.C., Yang, Z., Bendick, R., Gaur, V.K. et al., (2004) GPS measurements from the Ladakh Himalaya, India: Preliminary tests of plate-like or continuous deformation in Tibet. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.116, pp.1385–1391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamieson, S.S.R., Sinclair, H.D., Kirstein, L.A. and Purves, R.S. (2004) Tectonic forcing of longitudinal valleys in the Himalaya: morphological analysis of the Ladakh Batholith, North India Geomorphology, v.58, pp.49–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juyal, N. (2010) Cloud burst-triggered debris flows around Leh. Curr. Sci., v.99, pp.1166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotlia, B.S., Hinz-Schallreuter, I., Schallreuter, R. and Schwarz, J. (1998) Evolution of Lamayuru palaeolake in the Trans Himalaya: Palaeoecological implications Eiszeitalter und Gegenwart, v.48, pp.177–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppard, R.K. (1978) Convolute laminations in the turbidites of the Aberystwyth Grits. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.135, pp.248–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, D. R., (1976) Grain flow and grain flow deposits. Jour. Sediment. Petrol., v.46, pp.188–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moretti, M., Soria, J.M., Alfaro, P. and Walsh, N. (2001) Asymmetrical soft-sediment deformation structures triggered by rapid sedimentation in turbiditic deposits (Late Miocene, Guadix Basin, southern Spain). Facies, v.44, pp.283–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osmaston, H. (1994) The geology, geomorphology and Quaternary history of Zanskar. In: J. Crook and H. Osmaston (Eds.), Himalayan Buddhist Villages: Environment, Resources, Society and Religious Life in Zangskar,Ladakh. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publ., pp.1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen, L. A., M. W. Caffee, K. R. Bovard, R. C. Finkel and M. C. Sharma, (2006) Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating of the oldest glacial successions in the Himalayan orogen: Ladakh Range, northern India. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.118, pp.383–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pal, D., Mathur, N.S. and Srivastava, R.A.K. (1978) Tectonic framework of miogeosynclinal sedimentation in Ladakh Himalayas: a critical analysis. Himalayan Geol., v.8, pp. 500–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phartiyal, B. and Sharma, A. (2009) Soft-sediment deformation structures in the Late Quaternary sediments of Ladakh: Evidence for multiple phases of seismic tremors in the North western Himalayan Region. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.34, pp.761–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phartiyal, B., Sharma, A., Upadhyay, R., Ram, A. and Sinha, A.K. (2005) Quaternary geology, tectonics and distribution of palaeo- and present fluvio/glacio lacustrine deposits in Ladakh, NW Indian Himalaya—a study based on field observations. Geomorphology, v.65, pp.241–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricci Lucchi, F. (1969) Channelized deposits in the middle Miocene flysch of Romagna (Italy). G. Geol, v.36, pp.203–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder, J.M. (1971a) Some aspects of the morphology of paraglacial alluvial fans in south-central British Columbia. Canadian Jour.Earth Sci., v.8, pp.1252–1264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryder, J.M. (1971b) The stratigraphy and morphology of paraglacial alluvial fans in south-central British Columbia. Canadian Jour. Earth Sci., v.8, pp.279–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, J. (1956) Oriented phenomena produced by sedimentation from turbidity currents and in subaqueous slope deposits. Jour. Sediment. Petrol., v.26, pp.178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, J. (1965) Primary sedimentary structures formed by turbidity currents and related resedimentation mechanisms. Primary sedimentary structures and their hydrodynamic interpretation. SEPM Spec. Publ., v.12, pp.192–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sangode, S.J. and Bagati, T.N. (1995) Tectono -climatic signatures in High Himalayan Lakes: A Palaeomagnetic/ Rock magnetic approach in the lacustrine sediments of Lamayuru, Ladakh, India. Himalayan Geol., v.6, pp.51–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sant, D.A., Wadhawan, S.K., Ganjoo, R.K., Basavaiah, N., Sukumaran, P. and Bhattacharya, S. (2011) Morphostratigraphy and Palaeoclimate appraisal of the Leh valley, Ladakh Himalayas. India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.77, pp.499–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Searle, M., Corfield, R.I. Stephenson, B.E.N. and Mccarron, J.O.E. (1997) Structure of the North Indian continental margin in the Ladakh-Zanskar Himalayas: implications for the timing of obduction of the Spontang ophiolite, India-Asia collision and deformation events in the Himalaya. Geol. Magz., v.134, pp.297–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Searle, M.P., Pickering, K.T. and Cooper, D.J.W. (1990) Restoration and evolution of the intermontane Indus molasse basin, Ladakh Himalaya, India. Tectonophysics, v.174, pp.301–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, K.K. and Kumar, S. (1978) Contribution to the geology of Ladakh, Northwest Himalaya. Himalayan Geol., v.8(1), pp.252–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shukla, U.K., Kotlia, B.S. and Mathur, P.D. (2002) Sedimentation pattern in a trans-Himalayan Quaternary lake at Lamayuru (Ladakh), India. Sediment. Geol., v.148, pp.405–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, H.D. and Jaffey, N. (2001) Sedimentology of the Indus Group, Ladakh, northern India: implications for the timing of initiation of the palaeo-Indus River. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.158, pp.151–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, B. (1993) Geological set up of the Ladakh Granitoid Complex, Ladakh Himalaya. Jour. Himalayan Geol., v.4(1), pp.57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srikantia, S.V., Ganesan, T.M., Rao, P.N., Sinha, P.K. and Tirkey, B. (1978) Geology of Zanskar area, Ladakh Himalaya. Himalayan Geol., 8(11), pp.1009–1033.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srimal, N., Bhandari, A.K. and Chakravarti, S.K. (1982) Island Arc Volcanism in the Ladakh Himalaya. Indian Jour. Earth Sci., v.9(1), pp.44–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, R.A.K., Pal, D. and Mathur, N.S. (1979) Sedimentology of Indus Formation, Ladakh. Him. Geol. V.9(11), pp.668–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stromberg, S. and Bluck, B. (1998) Turbidite facies, fluid-escape structures and mechanisms of emplacement of the Oligo-Miocene Aljibe Flysch, Gibraltar Arc, Betics, southern Spain. Sediment. Geol., v.115, pp.267–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullwold, H.H. (1959) Nomenclature of load deformation in turbidites. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.70, pp.1247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur, V.C. (1981) Regional framework and geodynamic evolution of the Indus-Tsangpo suture zone in the Ladakh Himalayas Trans. Royal Soc. Edinburgh, v.72, pp.89–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Upadhyay, R. (2001) Seismically-induced soft-sediment deformational structures around Khalsar in the Shyok Valley, northern Ladakh and eastern Karakoram, India. Curr. Sci., v.81, pp.600–604.

    Google Scholar 

  • Upadhyay, R. (2003) Earthquake-induced soft-sediment deformation in the lower Shyok river valley, northern Ladakh, India. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.21, pp.413–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, F., Clift, P.D. and Yang, J. (2007) Zircon Hf isotopic constraints on the sources of the Indus Molasse, Ladakh Himalaya, India. Tectonics, v.26, pp.1–15.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dhananjay A. Sant.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sant, D.A., Wadhawan, S.K., Ganjoo, R.K. et al. Linkage of paraglacial processes from last glacial to recent inferred from Spituk sequence, Leh valley, Ladakh Himalaya. J Geol Soc India 78, 147–156 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-011-0074-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-011-0074-8

Keywords

Navigation