Final answer:
The Himalayas were formed through the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, which involved subduction followed by a continent-continent collision, causing the rise of the mountain range.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Formation of the Himalayas:
The Himalayas were formed by B. Convergence of an oceanic plate with a continental plate, followed by continent-continent collision.The formation of the Himalayas is a perfect example of what happens when two continental tectonic plates collide. This geological event began approximately 70 million years ago and continues to shape the region today. The Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate, resulting in immense geological pressure. The process started with the subduction of the oceanic crust of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian continental crust. As the oceanic plate was consumed, the two continental landmasses eventually collided. Through this collision, the earth's crust buckled and folded, creating immense mountain ranges. Some rock material was forced deep below the surface, while other parts were thrust upwards, forming the towering Himalayan peaks.
This ongoing tectonic activity causes the Himalayas to rise several millimeters annually, also causing frequent seismic activity in the form of earthquakes and tremors. This mountain range's significance goes beyond its geographical features, influencing the culture, religion, and lifestyle of the people in the surrounding regions.The concept of a 'suture zone' is often used to describe the boundary where once-separated continental plates have merged after the collision. The presence of ophiolites, which are remnants of oceanic crust, indicates the location of previous ocean basins between the colliding plates, supporting the suture zone concept. Such geological evidence helps scientists to trace back and understand the plate tectonic history of mountain ranges like the Himalayas.