🇳🇵 Nepal Geology
North-South Cross Section
Tethys Himalaya 🏔️
The “Tibetan” zone. Composed of fossil-rich sedimentary rocks (limestone, shale) deposited in the ancient Tethys Sea. It lies in the rain shadow.
Higher Himalaya ❄️
The crystalline backbone. Contains high-grade metamorphic rocks (Gneiss) and granites. Home to the 8,000m giants like Everest and Annapurna.
Lesser Himalaya 🌊
The Mahabharat Range. Composed of older sedimentary and low-grade metamorphic rocks (Slate, Phyllite) with almost no fossils. Features deep valleys and terraced farming.
Siwaliks (Chure) 🐵
The youngest hills. Formed from river sediments (Molasse) rising up. Large number of fossils including Ramapithecus. Very fragile geology, prone to landslides.
Terai / Gangetic Plain 🌾
The granary of Nepal. Flat, fertile plains composed of recent sediment deposits (gravel, sand, silt) from the Himalayas.
Click zones to expand • Dotted red lines are thrust faults
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