When you talk about the largest mountain range in the world you always talk about the himalayas. It is a mountain range that has among them the highest peaks that exist on our planet, among them the famous Everest and K2. It also has numerous mountain glaciers, such as Himalayan glaciers, with high ecological values. Despite its enormous size, it is considered one of the youngest mountain systems on our planet.
In this article we are going to talk about all the characteristics, geology, flora and fauna that exist in the Himalayas and the importance it has for nature. Do you want to know more about the most famous mountain range in the world? Keep reading because you will learn everything
Generalities
The Himalayas are found throughout south-central Asia. This mountain range keeps some of the most incredible formations on Earth alive. It travels a long distance that occupies 5 countries of extension: India, Nepal, China, Bhutan and Pakistan. Due to the climate and the altitude of its mountains, there are large ice deposits that make it rank three in the world ranking. Antarctica and the Arctic is the only thing that can surpass these mountains in terms of ice. Although it does not enter the world top ice, it stands out for its incalculable beauty Appalachian Mountains.
Despite the very cold climate in these mountains, numerous villages and various settlements have been established over time. The culture that develops in these places is unique, as it cannot be found anywhere else. In addition to the unique culture and the cold climate, it is a major tourist attraction, not only for visitors from other countries but also for professional climbers who attempt to reach the summit to break world records.
The inhabitants of this place are known as Sherpas and are the most expert in the mountains of Nepal. In fact, many are dedicated to teaching novice climbers everything they need to know to survive in the heights of the Himalayas. And it is that at high levels the temperature drops together with the atmospheric pressure and they generate really difficult environmental conditions to be able to climb.
On Sherpas were born in these places Therefore, they have undergone a process of adaptation to environmental conditions over many years. The Himalayas are also a powerful religious element for all the peoples living near the mountains. Not only does one religion reign in these places; Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs perform their rituals.
Key features
The total length of the Himalayas is 2400 kilometers long and runs from east to west of the Indus River. It goes through all the countries in central-eastern Asia and ends at the Brahmaputra. Its maximum width is 260 km.
Being a mountain range of these dimensions, numerous rivers flow with great flow thanks to the fresh water resulting from the melting of the glaciers. You can also enjoy beautiful U-shaped valleys as a result of glacial erosion. These external geological processes are truly fascinating and worth seeing in person. The main rivers that flow through the Himalayas are the Ganges, Indo, Yarlung Tsangpo, Yellow, Mekong, Nujiang and the Brahmaputra. All these rivers have a great flow and are famous for their natural and pure waters. They have the ability to regulate the planet's climate and carry numerous sediments and flows to the surrounding areas. These flows are loaded with natural organic matter very rich in nutrients.
How was the Himalayan mountain range formed?
For this mountain range of such dimensions to form, some external geological process of great magnitude had to exist. The Himalayan mountain range was formed thanks to the collision of the Indic plate with the Eurasian one. These two continental plates collided with great force and developed all the mountain ranges that we see today. Compared to other large mountains on our planet, the Himalayas are relatively young. I say relatively because on a human scale it is very old, but let's not forget geological time.
One of the reasons they are known to be modern picks is because they are not worn at all. When a mountain is older it is noticeable that the peak is very eroded after the continuous processes of precipitation, snow, rain and wind. The process by which it was formed is not yet fully understood, but it is compared to the Alps to try to find out its age. The scientific community has established that when both continental plates collided, the Earth's crust rose gradually over millions of years.
After paleontological and geological studies of the area it has been established that the beginning of the formation of this mountain range began 55 million years ago. It was at this time that both plates began to collide. This process has not yet ended. This is the reason why there are so many earthquakes in the area, as has been observed in Nepal. This is why the Himalayas are said to be young, given that their mountains are still growing today. No geological process is rapid; it is estimated that their growth will finish within 60 million years.
Himalayan flora and fauna
As mentioned before, this natural environment is teeming with an incredible diversity of both flora and fauna. There is a wide variety of species and types of landscapes depending on the closest climate. For example, we find temperate, subtropical and lowerland forests such as alpine landscapes. As we increase in altitude we are finding areas where there is only ice and snow.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has studied in depth all the species and has generated a list in which it indicates that they cohabit 200 mammals, more than 10.000 types of plants and 977 species of birds. This is a wealth that must be valued, because today there are few places with such a diversity of both flora and fauna.
Brief and didactically explained. It's wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for your comment and for reading Ricardo!
A greeting!