Late Quaternary glaciation and seismicity in the Higher Central Himalaya: evidence from Shalang basin (Goriganga), Uttaranchal

Abstract

The Shalang basin, which is a tributary basin of the Goriganga in the higher central Himalaya, is endowed with record of late Quaternary glaciation and seismicity. Three distinct glaciation events in the form of lateral moraines have been identified and are used to reconstruct the palaeo-Equilibrium Line Altitudes (ELA). Maximum ELA depression (~600 m) was associated with the oldest and longest Stage-I glaciation. Subsequent glacial advancements were limited in extent and remained above 3500 m. Luminescence dating of glaciogenic sediments suggests that the oldest Stage-I glacial event is equitable to Marine Isotopic Stage-4 (MIS-4), whereas stages-II and III are assigned MIS-2 and little ice age respectively. Morphology of the moraines and presence of seismites in a lake sequence suggest tectonic activity along the Trans-Himadri Fault during the late Quaternary.