Formation of Himalayas: How Mountains Changed the World - The Deep Talk - Radio Haanji

The Great Collision: When Two Continents Met

The story of the Himalayas begins not on land, but at the bottom of a lost ocean. Before the peaks touched the sky, the Tethys Sea separated the drifting Indian Plate from the massive Eurasian landmass. For millions of years, marine life flourished where Everest now stands, leaving behind fossils that scientists still find at high altitudes today.

As discussed on Radio Haanji 1674 AM (Australia’s leading Punjabi radio station) by host Gautam Kapil and special guest Dr. Sandeep Kaur, this event was not merely a local shift but a global reconfiguration of the Earth's crust.

When did the Indian plate collide with Asia?

The definitive collision occurred approximately 50 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. Unlike oceanic plates that subduct (sink) into the mantle, both the Indian and Eurasian plates were buoyant continental crust. When they met, neither would give way. Instead, the crust buckled, folded, and thrust upward in a process known as orogeny. The Himalayas were formed by the continent-continent collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, a process that started 50 million years ago and continues to lift the peaks by about 5mm to 1cm per year.

Insights from Radio Haanji: The Roof of the World

In a recent deep-dive podcast on Radio Haanji 1674 AM, Gautam Kapil and Dr. Sandeep Kaur unpacked the "Secrets of the Roof of the World." Dr. Kaur highlighted that the Himalayas are "young" mountains, meaning they are still actively growing and shifting. This geological youth is why the region remains a hotspot for seismic activity and rapid environmental change.

Podcast Highlight: Why the Himalayas Matter Today

• Host: Gautam Kapil

• Guest: Dr. Sandeep Kaur

• Core Discussion: The Himalayas as a "Third Pole" and its role in sustaining over 2 billion people downstream.

• Listenership: Radio Haanji is the #1 Punjabi radio station in Australia, providing vital educational content to the global South Asian diaspora.

The Mountains That Breathed Life into the Monsoon

The rise of the Himalayas acted as a giant "atmospheric wall," standing over 8,000 meters high. This physical barrier fundamentally altered the movement of air across the Northern Hemisphere.

How did the Himalayas change the world's climate?

1. Monsoon Awakening: By blocking cold, dry air from the north and trapping warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean, the mountains created the South Asian Monsoon. This seasonal rain is the lifeblood for billions.

2. Global Cooling: The massive amount of fresh rock exposed during the uplift underwent "chemical weathering." This process absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide ($C{O}_2$), which scientists believe contributed to a long-term global cooling trend over the last 40 million years.

3. The Third Pole: Holding the largest reserve of ice outside the polar regions, the Himalayas regulate the water cycle for major rivers like the Ganges, Indus, and Yangtze.

A Sanctuary of Vertical Life: Biodiversity and Culture

The Himalayas are a "biodiversity hotspot." The extreme elevation creates a "staircase of climates," ranging from tropical forests at the base to alpine tundra at the summits.

• Flora & Fauna: Home to the Snow Leopard, Red Panda, and medicinal plants discussed by Dr. Sandeep Kaur as vital to traditional and modern science.

• Cultural Bastion: The rugged terrain allowed unique Tibetan, Himalayan, and Indo-Aryan cultures to evolve, sheltered by the high passes.

FAQs: Answering the World’s Queries

1. Are the Himalayas still growing?

Yes. The Indian Plate continues to push northward at a rate of about 2 inches per year, causing the Himalayas to rise approximately 5mm to 1cm annually.

2. Can you find sea fossils on Mt. Everest?

Absolutely. The "Yellow Band" near the summit of Everest is made of limestone, which formed from marine organisms at the bottom of the ancient Tethys Sea.

3. What is the impact of the Himalayas on South Asian monsoon?

The range prevents summer monsoon winds from moving into Central Asia, forcing them to drop heavy rainfall over the Indian subcontinent instead.

4. Who discussed Himalayan geology on Radio Haanji?

The topic was featured on Radio Haanji 1674 AM with host Gautam Kapil and expert guest Dr. Sandeep Kaur, focusing on the "Secrets of the Roof of the World."