In 2006-07, net annual balance of the Chorabari Glacier was calculated negative (-) amounting to 4.54x106m3 of water equivalent (w. e.) with specific balance of (-) 0.77m. Annual mass balance measurements of the Dokriani Glacier in Gangotri area of Garhwal Himalaya were conducted from 1992-93 to 1994-95 and 1997-98 to 1999-2000. The study was carried out by glaciological method, including weekly measurement of ablation stakes and fixed date measurement of net accumulation. Results of annual mass balance for six years show negative trend with the maximum deficit of -3.19X106 m3 water equivalent (w.e.) in 1998-99. Annual mean mass balance from 1992-93 to 1999-2000 was -2.25X196 m3 a-1 w.e. The resulting 13.54X106 m3 w.e. cumulative volume loss, equal to a thickness reduction of 1.94 m over the study period is significant, since the Dokriani Glacier has average ice thickness of 50 to 55 m. Substantial wasting by -2.5 to -3.0 m w.e. a-1 in the ablation area, compared to the mass gain by 0.45 to 0.55 m w.e. a-1 in the accumulation area was recorded. Equilibrium line altitude (ELA) has ascended from 5030 to 5095 m a.s.l. and accumulation area ratio (AAR) fluctuated between 0.67 and 0.70 during the study period.

Bulletin of Glaciological Research (2008) 25, 9-17.

The existing seismological network in the Kangra Chamba sector has been upgraded with 12 three-component digital seismometers which has been successful obtain new insight on the nature and sources of continued clustered seismicity. The minimum 1D velocity model derived through travel-time-distance plots and travel-time inversion of P and S phases divides the average 44 km thick crust into four layers.The top ~10 km thick layer represents the metamorphosed sediments of the Chamba nappe that dominates the surface geology of the study area. Suggestion of a thin low-velocity layer at 15 km depth possibly marks the detachment zone separating the downgoing Indian plate from the overriding wedge. Clustering of seismic events immediately northeast of the epicenter of the 1905 Kangra earthquake is seen, while away from this zone the seismicity in the Chamba sector has more even distribution. In the later sector, space-depth distribution of hypocenters suggests that strain resulting from the ongoing collision of the Indian plate with Asia is being consumed by reverse-fault movement on the Chamba thrust.

Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (2009) 99 (1), 95109, doi:10.1785/0120080220

Geological field, petrographic, and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) studies help in understanding the evolutionary history of the Garhwal synform that lies in the western Outer Lesser Himalaya. Orientations of the magnetic susceptibility axes reveal large variations at short distances as a result of superimposed deformation, and predominant stress conditions favorable for normal faulting. Rocks forming the outer limbs of the Garhwal Synform are metamorphosed up to the lower greenschist facies. The metamorphic grade increases to chlorite zone in the inner limb and the core is characterized by chlorite biotite to garnet zones. The different grades of metamorphism are separated by thrusts and the structure is described as a pop-up klippen.

ISLAND ARC (2008), DOI:10.1111/J.1440-1738.2008.00628.X

Sedimentological studies and optically stimulated luminescence chronology suggest that T3 formation comprised multiple events of debris flows separated by the aggradation as channel bars between 13 and 10.5 ka, the high-angle fan comprises channel bar aggradation formed during 15 10 ka, T2 formed due to aggradation in a braided channel environment with lesser events of debris flows during 108 ka, T1 formed as bars of the braided river during <7 and 3 ka and low-angle fans formed due to aggradation in a small tributary joining the Brahmaputra River dated to <3 ka. These events responded to contemporary climatic changes and uplift in the Siwalik range along the Himalayan Frontal Fault.

JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE (2009) 24(2) 175 188

Two small petrographic thin sections from bedded chert horizons that together comprise an area of ~5 cm2 and have a total rock weight of ~0.1 g. Optical microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy and imagery demonstrate that each of the thin sections contains a rich assemblage of 3-dimensionally permineralized organic-walled microfossils.

ASTROBIOLOGY (2008) 8, 735 746.