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Validity of the Himalayan tectonic models

A cross-section of the Himachal Himalaya. The cross-section reveals the back-fold nature of the Phojal Fold, which was earlier thought to be a simple overturned recumbent fold. The early recumbent fold (Frec) is refolded by a late-stage recumbent folding event (Fback), which is interpreted as a back fold based on the disposition of the axial plane trace. The Manali shear zone also got recumbently folded twice. This is the first-ever report of a backfolded shear zone in the Himalaya. This unique geometry of the Himachal Himalaya questions to the validity of the existing Himalayan tectonic models. Frec- Early recumbent fold, Fback- Late back fold, MCT- Main Central Thrust, LHS- Lesser Himalayan Sequence, and THS- Tethyan Himalayan Sequence, GHC- Greater Himalayan Crystalline. Arun Ojha, Jour of Struc. Geol., 2024.

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