How steep are the Himalaya? Characteristics and implications of along-strike topographic variations

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2003 How steep are the Himalaya? Characteristics and implications of along-strike topographic variations Chris Duncan; Chris Duncan 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jeff Masek; Jeff Masek 2Code 923, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eric Fielding Eric Fielding 3Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Mail Stop 300-233, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Chris Duncan 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Jeff Masek 2Code 923, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA Eric Fielding 3Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Mail Stop 300-233, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 28 May 2002 Revision Received: 20 Sep 2002 Accepted: 24 Sep 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2003) 31 (1): 75–78. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0075:HSATHC>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 28 May 2002 Revision Received: 20 Sep 2002 Accepted: 24 Sep 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Chris Duncan, Jeff Masek, Eric Fielding; How steep are the Himalaya? Characteristics and implications of along-strike topographic variations. Geology 2003;; 31 (1): 75–78. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0075:HSATHC>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Differences in the topography of central Nepal and Bhutan are characterized by map and profile patterns of elevation, slope, relief, and stream gradients. Nepal exhibits a narrow hinterland zone of extreme relief, steep slopes and channels, and deep fluvial dissection and a wide foreland zone of lower relief; active shortening on the Main Frontal thrust occurs far outboard of the steep topography. In contrast, Bhutan has two high-relief zones separated by a narrow, low-relief step in the topographic and river profiles; the southern zone has the higher relief, rising abruptly from the Main Frontal thrust to a series of 4000 m peaks, whereas the northern zone consists of low-relief, high-elevation, plateau-like terrain cut by widely spaced, steep-walled valleys. Spatial relationships between these geomorphic features, and geologic contrasts, are used to examine scenarios of tectonic and surface-process interactions. The observations favor a model of along-strike segmentation in which timing differences in the varying balance of uplift and erosion produce spatial differences of topographic and geologic patterns, although other interpretations are possible. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.