Basics
- What is it?: Series of several parallel ranges.
- Topography
- Ranges are separated by deep valleys that create a dissected topography.
- The southern slope has a steep gradient and the northern slope is gentler.
- Syntaxial Bends of Himalayas
- Himalayas extend east to west from the Indus Gorge in the west to the Brahmaputra Gorge in the east.
- The Himalayan range takes a sharp southward bend at these gorges. These bends are called the syntaxial bends of Himalayas.
Classification of Himalayan Ranges
- Greater Himalayas
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- Other Name: Inner Himalaya, Central Himalaya, or Himadri.
- Average Elevation: 6100 m above sea level
- Average Width: 25 km
- Feature
- Loftiest continuous ranges and isocline in structure.
- The folds in this range are asymmetrical with a steep southward slope and gentle northward slope giving a ‘hogback topography’.
- Terminates abruptly at the syntaxial bends. One in the Nanga Parbat in the northwest and the other in the Namcha Barwa in the northeast.
- Height increases from west to centre and decreases from centre to east.
- Width is higher in the west and lower in the east.
- Passes in the Region
- Peak: This range has the highest peak, Mt. Everest.
- Glaciers: Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Zemu.
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| State | Passes of the Greater Himalayas |
| Jammu and Kashmir |
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| Himachal Pradesh |
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| Uttarakhand |
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| Sikkim |
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- Karewas
- Present in between the trans Himalayas and great himalayas.
- The fertile soil of lacustrine origin is called Karewas.
- It supports saffron cultivation.
- Karewas
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- Lesser or Middle Himalayas
- Location:
- In between the Shiwaliks in the south and the Greater Himalayas in the north.
- Runs almost parallel to both ranges.
- Other Name: Himachal or Lower Himalayas.
- Width: 60-80 km
- Length: 2400 km
- Elevations: 3,500 to 4,500 m above sea level.
- Features
- Noncontinuous and dissected by rivers.
- Lower Himalayas have steep, bare southern slopes (steep slopes prevent soil formation) and more gentle, forest-covered northern slopes.
- Division
- In Uttarakhand, the Middle Himalayas are marked by the Mussoorie and the Nag Tibba ranges.
- The Mahabharat Lekh, in southern Nepal, is a continuation of the Mussoorie Range
- East of the Kosi River, the Sapta Kosi, Sikkim, Bhutan, Miri, Abor, and Mishmi hills represent the lower Himalayas.
- Major Hill Stations: Shimla, Mussoorie, Ranikhet, Nainital, Almora, and Darjeeling.
- Division of the Range Based on Rivers.
- Pir Panjal Range: Extend from the Jhelum River to the upper Beas River.
- Dhauladhar Range: Between Chenab River and Ravi River.
- Mussoorie Range: Between Sutlej and Alakananda Rivers.
- Kumaon Range: Between Alakananda and Kali rivers
- Mahabharat Range: Between Kali and Koney rivers.
- Miri Range: Between Kameng and Subansiri rivers
- Abor Range: Between Subansiri and Dihang rivers.
- Important Valley
- Kashmir Valley: Between the Pir Panjal and the Zanskar Range
- Kangra Valley: Extends from the foot of the Dhauladhar Range to the south of Beas.
- Kulu Valley: It is a transverse valley in the upper course of the river Ravi.
- Location:
- Shiwalik Range
- Other Name: Also known as the Outer Himalayas.
- Formation: Formed during the Pliocene – Pleistocene period.
- Disaster Risk: They are highly prone to landslides.
- Location: Located in between the Great Plains and the Lesser Himalayas.
- Elevation: 600 to 1500 metres.
- Width: The width of the Shiwaliks varies from 50 km in Himachal Pradesh to less than 15 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Distance and Direction: Runs for a distance of 2,400 km in west to east direction.
- Features
- The southern slopes are steep while the northern slopes are gentle.
- They are an almost unbroken chain of low hills except for a gap of 80-90 km which is occupied by the valley of the Tista River and the Raidak River.
- These are the youngest parts of the Himalayas.
- Geographical Feature: Duns are a part of Shiwalik. For example, Dehradun in Uttarakhand.