Activity 7 – Quantification of strain accumulation / release rate along MHT at different time scales
The cardinal aspects of this activity are the characteristics of crustal deformation, and strain accumulation and release processes by major plate boundary faults and associated frontal active fault systems from sub-decadal to kilo year time scales. We understand the long-term geologic deformation rates of frontal active fault systems that situated right over the trailing locked portion of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) but what remains elusive is their relationship with the short term or sub-decadal scale geodetic deformation rates. The kinematic mechanism of strain energy transfers from the highly strained Higher Himalayan region towards the frontal arc holds the key that can explain the mountain building processes and plate movement in terms of uplift/subsidence rates, strain distribution, partitioning and the slip mechanism. Besides these, we shall address the issues related to the orogenic exhumation history and relative efficacy of tectonics and glaciation on millennial scale surface erosion. The relative contribution of these two erosional pathways on the orogenic exhumation is a kind of work that test the hypothesis on what (tectonics or erosion) regulates the mountain building processes. The Paleo-seismological or Earthquake Geological observations (encompassing Structural Geology, Geomorphology, Sedimentology, High-resolution field survey, Soil science and Remote Sensing) as well as well-established geophysical tools like GNSS, InSAR, Gravity/Magnetic and computational methods along with state-of-the-art Thermochronology and Fission Track Dating would be utilized to achieve the objectives.
Team Members:
 Dr. R.Jayangonda Perumal(Activity In-charge) Scientist ‘F’ Phone No: 01352525142 Email: ramperu’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |  Param Kirti Rao Gautam Scientist ‘E’ Phone No: 01352525473 Email:param’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |  Rajesh S. Scientist ‘D’ Phone No: 01352525459 Email: satraj’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |
 Vikas Scientist ‘D’ Phone No: 01352525133 Email:vikas.himg’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |  Dr. Subham Bose Scientist ‘B’ Phone No: Email:subham’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |  Dr. Rajeeb Lochan Mishra Scientist ‘B’ Phone No: 01352525383 Email: rajeeblochanmishra’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |
 Dr. Mahesh Kapawar Scientist ‘B’ Phone No: 01352525388 Email:maheshkapawar’AT’wihg[dot]res[dot]in |