Tectonic Deformation

Tectonic Deformation

News: A recent study conducted by researchers in Haryana, India, has identified an expanding area of active tectonic deformation in the northern plains of Haryana, south of the Himalayas.

What is Tectonic Deformation?
• Tectonic deformation refers to the changes in the Earth’s crust caused by the movement and interaction of tectonic plates. It includes processes such as folding, faulting, and uplift, which shape the Earth’s surface and give rise to features like mountains, valleys, and earthquakes.

Key Findings:
• The study focused on the Piedmont zone (transition area between the mountains and the adjacent plains) between the Ghaggar and Yamuna river basins and found clear evidence of ongoing tectonic activity. This active deformation has the potential to turn the Piedmont zone into a future seismic hazard area.
• The research also suggests that this tectonic activity may have played a role in the extinction of the Vedic Saraswati River that once flowed through the region.