New Discovery: Indian Tectonic Plate Movement May Be Splitting Tibet
Geophysicists have made a groundbreaking discovery that suggests the movement of the Indian tectonic plate, responsible for the growth of the Himalayas, may also be tearing apart Tibet. The collision of the Indian and Eurasian continental tectonic plates under the mountain range is well-known for causing the growth of the Himalayas. Normally, when two tectonic plates collide, the denser one slides beneath the other in a process called subduction. However, because the Indian and Eurasian plates have similar densities, it is unclear which plate will end up on top.
Know what are tectonic plates:
Unlike the denser ocean plates, continental plates are thicker and buoyant, making them less likely to subduct into the mantle during collisions. Scientists speculate that the Indian plate could be resisting subduction, instead continuing to slide horizontally under Tibet. However, an international team of geophysicists have proposed another possibility, which finds a middle ground between the two scenarios.
Through analyzing earthquake waves under Tibet, the team suggests that the Indian plate may be “delaminating” as it slides beneath the Eurasian plate. This means that the dense bottom part of the Indian plate is peeling away from the top. Additionally, they have found evidence of a tear at the boundary between the peeled-apart section of the plate and the intact Eurasian plate.
#Tibet could be splitting in half as the #Indian tectonic plate slides into the Eurasian one. #Science #sciencenews https://t.co/oZonMTkoHc
— IE Science (@iexpressscience) January 18, 2024
This discovery has astonished researchers, as it was previously unknown that continents could behave in this manner. The implications of this finding could have a profound impact on the field of earth sciences. The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, has the potential to enhance our understanding of the formation of the Himalayas and may even contribute to improved knowledge of earthquake hazards in the region.
As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of tectonic plate movements, this discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of the complex forces shaping our planet. The ongoing research in this field promises to shed further light on the dynamics of the Himalayas and Tibet, and perhaps even uncover new insights into the geological processes occurring deep beneath us.
Here is a excellent explanation on earthquakes
Understanding Earthquakes!
— Tree of Knowledge (@ToK_ScienceTree) January 1, 2024
The Earth is like a giant ball covered with a hard shell, which isn't smooth but has cracks and pieces. These pieces are called tectonic plates.
Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, usually when two tectonic… pic.twitter.com/oQ7c0gFP0y
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