Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Terai and Intermontane Basins

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Geology of the Nepal Himalaya

Part of the book series: Regional Geology Reviews ((RGR))

  • 2095 Accesses

Abstract

North fringe of Ganga foreland basin; subsurface structure of Terai; Dang and Deukhuri intermontane valleys; fluvial terraces of Dang; sediments of Pokhara and neighborhood; Begnas Formation, Siswa Formation, Tallakot Formation; Ghachok Formation, Pokhara Formation, and Phewa Formation; origin of lakes in Pokhara Valley and tectonic implications; Kathmandu basin fill; Lukundol Formation, Pyanggaon Terrace Deposit, Chapagaon Terrace Deposit, Boregaon Terrace Deposit, Dharmasthai Formation, Gokarna Formation, Tokha Formation, Thimi Formation, Kalimati Formation, Patan Formation, and Lower Terrace Deposit; paleoclimate in Kathmandu Valley; Thakkhola–Mustang graben; Thakmar series; Tetang Formation, Thakkhola Formation; Sammargaon Formation; Marpha Formation; Dangarjong normal fault; tectonic and environmental interpretations.

The lack of isostatic equilibrium and the existence of very smooth, inclined substratum suggest that the Himalayas are currently under the influence of large scale tectonic forces, probably due to collision of the Indian plate against the Asian plate.

—Kono (1974, p. 283)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adhikari BR (2009) Sedimentology and basin analysis of the Thakkhola-Mustang graben, central Nepal. Unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, submitted to Vienna University, 158 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Argand E (1924) La tectonique de l’Asie. Congrès Géologique International, Belgique, Comptes Rendues de la 13ème Session, en Belgique 1922. H. Vaillant-Carmanne, Liège, pp 171–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Armijo R, Tapponnier P, Mercier JL, Han T (1986) Quaternary extension in southern Tibet: field observation and tectonic implications. J Geophys Res 91:13803–13872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bajracharya SR, Verma VK (1989) Morphometric analysis of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu valley. J Nepal Geol Soc 6:11–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassoullet JP, Colchen M (1974) Les formations tradi-orogéniques de la Thakkhola, Himalaya du Népal. 2ème Réun. Sc. Terre., Pont-a-Mousson, France, 34 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhandari S, Paudayal KN (2007) Palynostratigraphy and palaeoclimatic interpretation of the Plio–Pleistocene Lukundol Formation from the Kathmandu valley, Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 35:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Blisniuk P, Hacker BR, Glody J, Ratschbacher J, Bi S, Wu Z, McWilliams MO, Calvert A (2001) Normal faulting in central Tibet since at least 13.5 Myr ago. Nature 412:628–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bordet P, Colchen M, Krummenacher D, Le Fort P, Mouterde R, Rémi M (1971) Recherches géologiques dans l’Himalaya du Népal, région de la Thakkhola. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, 279 pp (with two geological maps in colors)

    Google Scholar 

  • Burbank DW (1992) Causes of recent Himalayan uplift deduced from deposited patterns in the Ganges basin. Nature 357:680–683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colchen M (1999) The Thakkhola–Mustang graben in Nepal and the late Cenozoic extension in the Higher Himalayas. J Asian Earth Sci 17:683–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman ME, Hodges KV (1995) Evidence for Tibetan plateau uplift before 14 m. y. ago from a new minimum age for east–west extension. Nature 374:49–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhital MR, Giri S (1993) Engineering geological investigations at the collapsed Seti Bridge site, Pokhara. Bull Dept Geol 3(1):119–141 (Tribhuvan University)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhoundial EP (1966) Investigation of lignite deposits in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Unpublished report submitted to the Geological Survey of India, 34 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Dill HG, Khadka DR, Khanal R, Dohrmann R, Melcher F, Busch K (2003) Infilling of the younger Kathmandu–Banepa intermontane lake basin during the Late Quaternary (Lesser Himalaya, Nepal): a sedimentological study. J Quat Sci 18:41–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dill HG, Kharel BD, Singh VK, Piya B, Busch K, Geyh C (2001) Sedimentology and paleogeographic evolution of the intermontane Kathmandu Basin, Nepal, during the Pliocene and Quaternary. Implications for formation of deposits of economic interest. J Asian Earth Sci 19:777–804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DoI (Department of Irrigation) (1993) Feasibility study on expanding groundwater development for irrigation in the Birganj area of the Terai. Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. and Nepalconsult (P) Ltd., Kathmandu, vol II: Annexes, pp 1–27 (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dongol GMS (1985) Geology of the Kathmandu fluviatile lacustrine sediments in the light of new vertebrate fossil occurrences. J Nepal Geol Soc 3(1 & 2):43–57

    Google Scholar 

  • England PC, Houseman GA (1986) Finite strain calculations of continental deformation. 2. Comparison with the India–Asia collision. J Geophys Res 91:3664–3676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fort M, Freytet P, Colchen M (1982) Structural and sedimentological evolution of the Thakkhola Mustang Graben (Nepal Himalaya). Zötschrift für Geomorphologie N. F 42(Suppl):75–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii R, Sakai H (2001) Palynological study of the drilled sediments from the Kathmandu Basin and its palaeoclimatic and sedimentological significance. J Nepal Geol Soc 25(Special Issue):53–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii R, Sakai H (2002) Paleoclimatic changes during the last 2.5 myr recorded in the Kathmandu Basin, central Nepal Himalayas. J Asian Earth Sci 20:255–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garzione CN, DeCelles PG, Hodkinson DG, Ojha TP, Upreti BN (2003) East–west extension and Miocene environmental change in the southern Tibetan plateau: Thakkhola graben, central Nepal. Geol Soc Am Bull 115(1):3–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garzione CN, Dettman DL, Quade J, DeCelles PG, Butler RF (2000) High times on the Tibetan plateau: Paleoelevation of the Thakkhola graben, Nepal. Geology 28:339–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gautam P, Hosoi A, Sakai T, Arita K (2001) Magnetostratigraphic evidence for the occurrence of pre-Brunhes (>780 kyr) sediments in the northwestern part of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 25(Special Issue):99–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurung H (1970) Geomorphology of Pokhara valley. Himalayan Rev II–III:37–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen T (1959) Geologie des Thakkhola (Nepal). Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae 52(2):709–719 (with one plate)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen T (1968) Report on the geological survey of Nepal. Volume 2: Geology of the Thakkhola. Denkschriften der Schweizerischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, vol LXXXVI/2, 159 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen T (1969) Report on the geological survey of Nepal. Volume 1: Preliminary reconnaissance. Denkschiiften der Schweizerischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, Band LXXXVI/1, 185 pp (with a geological map)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison TM, Copeland P, Kidd WSF, Lovera O (1995) New insights into the origin of two contrasting Himalayan granite belts. Geology 25:899–902

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison TM, Ryerson FJ, Le Fort P, Yin An, Lovera OM, Catlos EJ (1997) A Late Miocene–Pliocene origin for the Central Himalayan inverted metamorphism. Earth Planet Sci Lett 146:El–E7

    Google Scholar 

  • Hormann K (1974) Die Terrassen an der Seti Khola – Ein Beitrag zur Quartären Morphogenese in Zentralnepal. Erdkunde 28:161–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurtado JM, Hodges KV, Whipple KX (2001) Neotectonics of the Thakkhola graben and implications for recent activity on the South Tibetan fault system in the central Nepal Himalaya. Geol Soc Am Bull 13:222–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iwata S (1984) Geomorphology of the Thakkhola-Muktinath region, central Nepal, and its late Quaternary history: Geographical Reports of the Tokyo Metropolitan University, vol 19, pp 25–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwata S, Yamanaka H, Yoshida M (1982) Glacial landforms and river terraces in the Thakkhola region, central Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 2(Special Issue):81–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson J, McKenzie D, Priestley K, Emmerson B (2008) New views on the structure and rheology of the lithosphere. J Geol Soc Lond 165:453–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JICA (Japan International Co-operation Agency) and DoI (Department of Irrigation) (1995) The master plan study on the Terai groundwater resources evaluation and development project for irrigation. Final report, Sanyu Consultants Inc., vol II, no 6: sector report, pp 9–38 (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kizaki K (1994) An outline of the Himalayan upheaval. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kathmandu, 127 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Koirala A, Shrestha OM, Karmacharya R (1993) Engineering geology of the southern part of Kathmandu valley. Bull Dept Geol 3(1):151–159 (Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koirala A, Rimal LN, Sikrikar SM, Pradhananga UB, Pradhan PM (1998) Engineering and environmental geological map of Pokhara valley, scale 1:50,000. Department of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu (map in colors)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kono M (1974) Gravity anomalies in east Nepal and their implications to the crustal structure of the Himalayas. Geophys J Roy Astron Soc 39:283–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Fort P, France-Lanord C (1994) Granites from Mustang and surrounding regions, central Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 10:79–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Molnar P, Tapponnier P (1978) Active tectonics of Tibet. J Geophys Res 83:5361–5375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moribayashi S, Maruo Y (1980) Basement topography of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal—An application of gravitational method to the survey of a tectonic basin in the Himalayas. J Jpn Soc Eng Geol 21(2):30–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa T, Yasuda Y, Tabata H (1996) Pollen morphology of Himalayan Pinus and Quercus and its importance in palynological studies in Himalayan area. Rev Palaeobot Palynol 91:317–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakata T, Iwata S, Yamanaka H, Yagi H, Maemoku H (1984) Tectonic landforms of several active faults in the western Nepal Himalayas. J Nepal Geol Soc 4(Special Issue):177–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Paudayal KN, Ferguson DK (2004) Pleistocene palynology of Nepal. Quat Int 117:69–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paudayal KN (2006) Late Pleistocene pollen assemblages from the Gokarna Formation, Kathmandu valley, Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 33:33–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt JP, England PC (1994) Convective removal of lithosphere beneath mountain belts: thermal and mechanical consequences. Am J Sci 294:307–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Royden LH, Burchfield C, King RW, Wang E, Chen Z, Shen F, Liu Y (1997) Surface deformation and lower crustal flow in eastern Tibet. Science 276:788–790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai H (2001) Stratigraphic division and sedimentary facies of the Kathmandu Basin Group, central Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 25(Special Issue):19–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakai T, Gajurel AP, Tabata H, Ooi N, Takagawa T, Kitagawa H, Upreti BN (2008) Revised lithostratigraphy of fluvio-lacustrine sediments comprising northern Kathmandu basin in central Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 37:25–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma CK (1975) Natural resources of Pokhara valley. Navana Printing Works Pvt. Ltd., Calcutta, 106 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma T, Merh SS, Vashi NW (1978) The terraced conglomerates of Pokhara valley in central Nepal. In: Symposium on morphology and evolution of landforms. Department of Geology, University of Delhi, pp 226–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha OM, Koirala A, Karmacharya SL, Pradhananga UB, Pradhan R, Karmacharya R (1998) Engineering and Environmental geological map of the Kathmandu Valley (1:50,000). Department of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Talent JA, Dongol GMS, Chhetri VS (1991) Biostratigraphic reports—spurious and dubious—from Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 7:9–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuladhar RM (1982) A note to the lignite occurrence in Lukundol, Kathmandu. J Nepal Geol Soc 2(1):47–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamanaka H, Yagi H (1984) Geomorphological development of the Dang Dun, Sub-Himalayan zone, southwestern Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 4(Special Issue):151–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamanaka H, Yoshida M, Arita K (1982) Terrace landforms and Quaternary deposit around Pokhara valley, central Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 2(Special Issue):113–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Yonechi F (1973) A preliminary report on the geomorphology of Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Science report, Tohoku University, 7th Series, vol 23, pp 153–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida M, Igarashi Y (1984) Neogene to Quaternary lacustrine sediments in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal. J Nepal Geol Soc 4(Special Issue):73–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida M, Igarashi Y, Arita K, Hayashi D, Sharma T (1984) Magnetostratigraphic and pollen analytic studies of the Takmar series, Nepal Himalayas. J Nepal Geol Soc 4(Special Issue):101–120

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Megh Raj Dhital

Authors
  1. Megh Raj Dhital
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Megh Raj Dhital .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dhital, M.R. (2015). Terai and Intermontane Basins. In: Geology of the Nepal Himalaya. Regional Geology Reviews. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02496-7_34

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation