Question

. Name three longitudinal divisions of the Himalayas. State three main characteristics of each

Answer 1

The 3 parallel ranges of Himalayas are:

1.Greater Himalayas or himadri

2.lesser Himalayas

3. Shivaliks

The features :

THE GREAT OR INNER HIMALAYAS OR HIMADRI:

1.This is the northernmost range and is also known as 'Himadri'.

2.This is the most continuous range.

3.It contains the loftiest peaks.

4.The average height of peaks in this range is 6,000 meters.

5.All the prominent Himalayan peaks are in this range.

6.The folds of the Great Himalayas are irregular in nature.

7.The core of this part is composed of granite.

8.Because of the lofty heights, the peaks of this range are perennially covered with snow.

9.Famous glaciers like the Siachen Glacier, the Gangotri and Yamunotri, etc.

THE LESSER HIMALAYA OR HIMACHAL:

1.This range lies towards the south of the Great Himalayas.

2.The altitude of peaks in this range varies from 3,700 to 4,500 meter.

3.Average width of this range is 50 km.

4.This range is mainly composed of highly compressed and altered rocks.

5.The most important mountain range here is the Pir Panjal mountain range and it is the longest range.

6.Dhaula Dhar and Mahabharat mountain ranges are also important ranges of lesser himalayas.

7.All great valleys like Kashmir Valley, Kangra Valley, Kullu Valley are present here.

8.This region is also known as for its hill stations (for e.g. Kullu,-Manali, Kufri, Shimla, Mussoorie, Nanital, etc.).

THE SHIWALIKS:

1.The outermost range of the Himalayas is known as Shiwaliks, also known as Manak Parbat in ancient times.

2.The altitude varies between 900 and 1100 meters in this range.

3.The width varies between 10 to 50 km.

4.These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by the rivers.

5.The longitudinal valleys lying between the Himachal and Shiwaliks are called 'Dun'.

6.Unlike typical river valleys, duns have a structural origin and are covered with boulders and gravel originating from the erosion of the Himalayas and the Shiwalik uplands. Major duns found in the region are Dehra, Kothri, Chaukham, Patli and Kota.