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India.com
8 hours ago
- Science
- India.com
India will be split into two halves due to...! Scientists flag BIG danger hidden under the Himalayas, say it can trigger...
Representational/AI-generated. The Himalayas are the majestic mountain ranges surrounding the Indian plains and valleys, but beneath these breathtaking mountains lies a a threat of such gargantuan proportions that it can literally split the entire country into two separate halves. India could be split into two As per a team of scientists at the Stanford University, the tectonic plate on which India rests has started developing cracks, and this phenomenon can trigger devastating earthquakes, weather changes, and even alter the entire map of the Indian sub-continent in the near future. Simon Klemperer, a geophysicist at the Stanford University, and his team, have identified a unique process taking place in the Indian tectonic plate. Under the process, which the geophysicists have dubbed 'delamination', the heavy, dense part of the Indian tectonic plate is now slowly breaking and sinking into the depths of the Earth, as if a part of India's land is quietly and steadily, sliding deep inside the planet. Indian tectonic plate breaking up According to a new study by the American Geophysical Union, the Indian tectonic plate has been sliding northwards for the last 60 million years, and this collision gave birth to mountain ranges like Himalayas, but now this phenomenon poses a major threat to the Indian sub-continent. The study reveals that heavier parts of the plate are no longer able to support themselves, and are breaking up and sliding deeper inside the earth. The process is slow, but the its effects can be seen in the coming future, it said. Northern India most vulnerable As per the research, its believed that the Himalayas surrounding Northern India and its adjoining areas are the most vulnerable to this phenomenon, and the intensity and intensity and frequency of earthquakes in North India, Nepal, Tibet and Northeast India could surge by a significant margin, if the breaking up of the tectonic plates intensifies. North India is already categorized as an active seismic zone. The research warns that this breaking up of plates could drastically alter the shape of the landmass, and even change direction of rivers, and the position of mountains. Additionally, changes in the elevation and structure of the land could affect monsoon and climate cycles. Scientists predict that populous cities in the region, such as national capital Delhi, Dehradun, Guwahati, and Shillong, are at the most risk due to their infrastructure and large populations.
Economic Times
23-04-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Hidden rift in Indian Plate may trigger future Himalayan quakes
Synopsis A rare geological process is tearing the Indian Plate apart deep beneath the surface, scientists have discovered. In a study published by the American Geophysical Union, researchers revealed the plate is delaminating—its dense lower layer peeling off and sinking into the Earth's mantle. This shift could reshape earthquake patterns across the Himalayas and beyond, challenging long-held views of how continents behave. The implications are vast, from seismic risk to tectonic theory, and may herald a new era in Earth sciences. In a seismic revelation that could reshape our understanding of the planet's crust, scientists have found that the Indian Plate is splitting apart. A part of the plate's lower layer is peeling off and plunging into the Earth's mantle. The process—called delamination—was detected beneath the Tibetan Plateau using seismic waves and helium gas analysis from natural springs. These findings have raised urgent scientific questions about the stability of one of Earth's most active tectonic zones. ADVERTISEMENT The Indian Plate, which has been colliding with the Eurasian Plate for about 60 million years, gave rise to the Himalayas. But this new study reveals a less visible, more dramatic shift underway—right beneath our research, published by the American Geophysical Union, has caught many experts off-guard. Delamination is rare, and its presence in such a prominent plate suggests tectonic processes are far more complex than earlier believed. 'We didn't know continents could behave this way, and that is, for solid earth science, pretty fundamental,' said Douwe van Hinsbergen, a geodynamicist at Utrecht findings challenge the traditional view of tectonic plates as rigid blocks. Instead, they reveal that parts of these plates—especially their deeper sections—can soften, break off, and sink back into the Earth over geological potential impact on seismic activity is profound. The Himalayan region is already one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world. With the Indian Plate tearing from below, new stress lines could be forming in the crust above. ADVERTISEMENT Simon Klemperer, a geophysicist at Stanford University, warned that this process could produce new zones of seismic instability: 'The tearing and sinking of the plate could create new stress points in the Earth's crust, triggering more frequent and potentially more powerful quakes.' Particular attention is being paid to the Cona-Sangri Rift, a deep fracture in the Tibetan Plateau. Scientists believe it may be directly connected to this hidden tear. If confirmed, regions around this rift could face heightened earthquake threats in the coming decades. ADVERTISEMENT The implications go beyond India. The study suggests that delamination may not be unique to the Indian Plate. Researchers are now scanning other continental plates for signs of similar activity. If such processes are more common than previously believed, this could change how scientists understand everything from how mountains form to why tectonic plates move the way they do.'This could be a missing piece in our puzzle of how continents evolve and interact,' said Fabio Capitanio, a geodynamicist at Monash University. 'It's just a snapshot, and much more data is needed to understand the full picture.' ADVERTISEMENT The discovery raises new questions about continental interiors. Can such deep rifts explain the formation of other mountain chains? Are there hidden fractures beneath our continents waiting to be found?For now, the answers remain partial. Capitanio urged caution, noting that while the discovery is exciting, it is based on early data. 'It's just a snapshot,' he said, underlining the need for deeper studies to map how this process evolves over time. ADVERTISEMENT Researchers continue to monitor seismic activity and helium levels across the region, using these tools to paint a clearer picture of what's happening miles beneath the Earth's surface. The story of the Indian Plate's subterranean split is still academic theory, the real-world consequences of delamination are significant. If confirmed, this process could help explain long-standing geological puzzles and improve earthquake forecasting. It might also change how nations plan infrastructure in vulnerable zones and how scientists model Earth's internal behaviour. As the Indian Plate tears apart from within, it leaves a pressing question in its wake: How many more hidden splits lie beneath the continents we thought we knew? (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein. NEXT STORY
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
India is splitting in two!!! Geologists sound alarm over hidden tectonic upheaval
In a groundbreaking discovery that could rewrite our understanding of Earth's inner dynamics, geologists have revealed that the Indian Plate , the massive slab of Earth's crust carrying the subcontinent, is splitting in two. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A part of it is peeling away and sinking deep into the Earth's mantle, a process known as delamination . This hidden and previously undetected geological activity could have far-reaching consequences, not just for India but for the entire planet. It may alter patterns, reshape landscapes, and challenge long-standing scientific theories about plate tectonics. The findings have stunned experts and sparked urgent calls for deeper research into Earth's shifting crust. How is this shift happening The Indian Plate has long been a key player in one of the world's most dramatic geological collisions, the crash into the Eurasian Plate that formed the Himalayas. But now, scientists have found something even more astonishing beneath its surface. Using advanced seismic analysis and helium isotope tracking in the springs of Tibet, researchers have uncovered evidence of delamination, a rare process where the dense lower part of a tectonic plate peels away and sinks into the Earth's mantle. This means the Indian Plate is effectively tearing apart, creating a massive vertical rift deep underground. 'We didn't know continents could behave this way,' said Douwe van Hinsbergen, a geodynamicist at Utrecht University. 'This changes some of our most fundamental assumptions about solid earth science.' Earthquake hotspots may get hotter The discovery has serious implications for earthquake risk in the Himalayan region, already one of the most seismically active zones on Earth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to Stanford geophysicist Simon Klemperer, the tearing and sinking of the plate could create new stress points in the Earth's crust, triggering more frequent and potentially more powerful quakes. One major concern is the Cona-Sangri Rift in the Tibetan Plateau, a deep fracture that could be directly tied to the ongoing delamination. If this connection is confirmed, regions along this rift could face heightened seismic danger in the years ahead. A discovery that shifts the scientific ground The study, published in the American Geophysical Union, not only reveals the Indian Plate's splitting but also suggests that other continental plates might be undergoing similar processes. Scientists are now scanning regions worldwide for signs of comparable plate behaviour, a move that could revolutionise how we understand everything from mountain formation to plate tectonics itself. 'This could be a missing piece in our puzzle of how continents evolve and interact,' said Fabio Capitanio, a geodynamicist at Monash University, who cautions that the findings are still early-stage. 'It's just a snapshot, and much more data is needed to understand the full picture.' What will be the effect of this shift on Earth sciences If confirmed, this discovery could explain long-standing mysteries about how and why certain mountain ranges form, and even help scientists make better predictions about future earthquakes and geological hazards. More importantly, it opens a new frontier in Earth science, one that challenges old models and demands a fresh look at how our planet works. For now, scientists continue to monitor seismic waves and chemical signatures in the region, hoping to unravel the evolving story of a continent in motion and the silent, subterranean split that could shake the world.
