Indian Plate Is Tearing Under Tibet, Not Sliding Smoothly, Says New Study

A Big Discovery About the Himalayas

A new geological study has found something surprising under the Himalayas. Scientists used 3D imaging to look deep underground and found that the Indian Plate is not smoothly sliding under the Tibetan Plateau as earlier thought. Instead, it is tearing and warping in a chaotic way.

This major finding comes just weeks after a strong earthquake hit Myanmar. It helps us better understand how the Himalayas were formed and how they are still changing today.

What Is the Indian Plate?

The Indian Plate is a large piece of the Earth’s outer layer (called the lithosphere) that moves slowly over time. It is pushing northward, crashing into the Eurasian Plate. This process created the Himalayas — the tallest mountain range in the world.

For many years, scientists thought the Indian Plate was simply slipping or sliding under Tibet. This process is called underplating or subduction. But the new study shows something different.

What the New Study Found

Researchers used advanced 3D imaging technology to study how the Indian Plate behaves deep underground. They found that the plate is not just sliding — it is actually tearing apart in some places.

This means the movement is not smooth or simple. It is more violent and messy than previously believed.

The East and West Are Different

The study also found that the Indian Plate behaves differently in the east and west, divided by the 90°E longitude line:

West of 90°E: The plate is still mostly intact. It slides under Tibet and reaches about 100 kilometers north of a major fault line called the Yarlung-Zangbo suture. This supports the older idea of smooth underplating.

East of 90°E: The plate starts to break and separate. This process is called delamination. It means the plate is peeling or tearing apart instead of staying whole.

Why This Matters

This discovery is very important for people living near the Himalayas. If the Indian Plate is tearing apart deep underground, it can cause strong earthquakes and new fault lines. These changes also affect how mountains grow and how the land moves.

Countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet may face increased earthquake risks and changing landscapes in the future.

Rivers, Hills, and Valleys Will Keep Changing

The tearing of the Indian Plate means the shape of the land — including rivers, hills, and valleys — will keep changing over time. These changes are part of ongoing geological activity.

People in the region will need to stay alert for future changes and possible natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides.