Tearing Apart the Indian Plate

Introduction

Beneath the towering peaks of the Himalayas, a geological phenomenon is quietly reshaping the Indian subcontinent. For 60 million years, the Indian Plate has been colliding with the Eurasian Plate, resulting in the formation of the Himalayan mountain range. However, recent studies have shown that this collision is not as simple as it seems. The Indian Plate is actually splitting apart, creating a new subduction zone that could have catastrophic consequences for the region.

Key Details

The Indian Plate is tearing apart at a rate of 5 centimeters per year, creating a new subduction zone under the Himalayas. This has been confirmed by the discovery of a previously unknown fault line, the Main Central Thrust, which runs parallel to the Himalayan range. This new subduction zone has the potential to cause a massive earthquake, with experts predicting a magnitude of 8.5 or higher. This could have devastating consequences for the densely populated region, with the potential to affect over 100 million people.

Impact

The discovery of the new subduction zone has raised concerns among scientists and officials, as it could lead to one of the worst earthquake disasters in history. In the past, the region has experienced earthquakes of similar magnitude, such as the 1905 Kangra earthquake, which claimed over 20,000 lives. With the population and infrastructure