The Making of Mountains: A Geological Tour Through The Himalayas
Tuesday 24 August – Wednesday 08 September 2027 Special Interest

The Geology Of The Himalayas
The Himalayas, which means “abode of snows” in Hindi, is a mountain belt of superlatives; the highest peaks in the world, and still rising upwards today. Formed by the collision between the Indian and Asian continents, the intervening ocean was squeezed shut, and sediments from the bottom of this ocean were pushed upwards; today ancient marine fossils are found at the top of Mt. Everest!

The heat and pressure from the collision were sufficient to cause rocks to melt, bend and break, the results of which can be seen in the mountains today. Continued convergence between the two continents means that the mountain belt is still continuing to rise today.

Our tour starts on the Asian continental plate in Ladakh. We travel south, crossing the suture zone which is the ancient line of the continental collision, and then we continue across the Indian plate. The tour provides an excellent overview of the geological history of the Himalayas and an explanation of the various rock features through which we travel, combined with spectacular and varied scenery from glaciers to high altitude deserts. There is also plenty of opportunity to witness the fascinating cultures and historical sites in the regions through which we travel.

Flying from New Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, we experience the spectacular aerial views of the Himalayan mountain range below. After acclimatising in Leh and enjoying Ladakhi culture for a few days, we begin the overland journey south to cross the Himalayan mountain range. We journey from the arid landscapes in the north, through the “moonscape” of the Himalayan interior, to the lush green monsoon-drenched foothills of the southern slopes of the range. We then make a stop at Shimla hill station, so beloved by the British as a retreat from the heat of the plains during the Raj era, before returning to Delhi and a day trip to the Taj Mahal. The trip focusses on the spectacular geology of the mountain belt, with ample field stops to examine the rocks, and evening briefs explaining how the mountain range formed. And there is more to this trip than the geology: the tour will also appeal to those who have a broad interest in enjoying the stunning scenery and varied cultures of the regions through which we travel.

Prof Yani Najman
Yani Najman gained her PhD in Himalayan geology from Edinburgh University, UK, in 1995. She then held research positions, studying the formation of the Himalayan mountain belt, at the Universities of Cambridge, UK, Edinburgh, UK, and Calgary, Canada. She has been at Lancaster University since 2003, where her research focus remains that of the Himalayan mountains and Tibetan plateau. Yani has published over 80 research papers in a number of international scientific journals, including the highly prestigious journal Nature, and she has given more than 25 keynote talks throughout her career to date. She was awarded the European Geosciences Union Outstanding Young Scientist Medal in 2003, and recognised in Britain’s Young Achievers in 1998. She is currently an Associate Editor of Geological Magazine.

In addition to numerous field seasons in the Himalayas of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet and Bhutan, Yani has spent considerable time cycling, ski-touring, trekking and travelling through the mountains of Asia.

For more information on Yani’s research, click here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/about-us/people/yani-najman