Overview

The Himalaya stands as one of Earth's grandest expressions of continental collision, and yet, it remains one of its least fully understood in terms of how deep-seated processes shape seismic hazard at the surface. Nowhere is this challenge more urgent than in the Uttarakhand Himalaya, a region of high tectonic strain, complex subsurface architecture, and dense human habitation. In this monograph, I offer a compelling and data-rich investigation into the forces that govern earthquake generation in this critical segment of the India-Eurasia collision zone. Drawing on a synthesis of modern seismological tools-high-resolution tomography, receiver function imaging, magneto-telluric profiles, and dense GPS geodesy-Dr. Mandal reveals a detailed view of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) and its surrounding lithosphere. The images and models presented here highlight a fluid-rich, segmented fault zone with characteristics unlike those observed in the better-known western or eastern Himalayan regions. The clear documentation of low-velocity anomalies, double Moho structures, and fluid-saturated crustal layers helps to illuminate why the region has experienced moderate-to-large earthquakes over the past two centuries, yet continues to store significant unreleased strain. Equally important is the recognition of transverse structures-the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, Moradabad Fault, and others-which subdivide the MHT and impose lateral heterogeneity on the fault's mechanical behavior. These inherited features, long neglected in broad-scale seismic hazard models, emerge here as key controls on rupture length and seismic magnitude. Dr. Mandal's work thus makes a crucial contribution: it not only resolves deep tectonic architecture with remarkable clarity, but also links these features to observed surface deformation and seismicity. This monograph exemplifies the kind of integrative science that the study of continental deformation demands. It bridges the gap between crustal imaging and earthquake hazard modeling, providing a framework that can-and should-inform policy, infrastructure planning, and scientific efforts aimed at risk mitigation in the central Himalaya. Readers will find in these pages a careful, rigorous, and deeply contextualized analysis of one of Earth's most hazardous tectonic corridors. This monograph provides a comprehensive work for advancing our understanding of the seismogenic behavior of the Himalayan arc. It is my hope that this volume will inspire continued collaboration and inquiry, not only in Uttarakhand but across all seismically active mountain belts where the Earth's past continues to shape its future.

Full Product Details

9798296506184

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Countries Available