Author(s): Afroz Ahamd Shah
Email (s): afroz.shah@gmail.com
Institution or organization of origin: Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Country: Brunei
Abstract:
The tectonic convergence between the lithospheric plates of India and Eurasia has created several basins and lakes throughout the dimensions of the Himalayan orogen. Previous studies on these lakes have mainly focused on issues like management, restoration, biodiversity, sedimentation and so on. However, the formation of lakes and basins has not been explored extensively and therefore, our contribution shows the critical importance of knowing the tectonic and non-tectonic causes of how lakes and basins have formed during the tectonic convergence and why it is important to study it. We have used the 30m shutter radar topography to make the various geomorphic features such as topographic ridges, basins, water bodies, faults, folds etc. The geological and structural maps are used and correlated with our geomorphic maps to map the relative ages of lakes and basins and to know the cause of their formation. The results show that lakes and basins have formed in a variety of ways that involve faults, folds, and non-tectonically caused topographic depressions e.g., glacial melting. Therefore, we have classified the basins and lakes based on their genesis, which could be useful to scientific and non-scientific communities who are interested in such studies.