Consider the following statements about the Himalayan Mountains. 1. The Brahmaputra marks the eastern-most boundary of the Himalayas. 2. The altitudinal variations of Himalayas are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half. 3. The folds of Great Himalayas are symmetrical in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements about the Himalayan Mountains. 1. The Brahmaputra marks the eastern-most boundary of the Himalayas. 2. The altitudinal variations of Himalayas are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half. 3. The folds of Great Himalayas are symmetrical in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Correct Answer 1 and 2 only

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Important Points

•  The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains stretch over the northern borders of India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • These mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
  • Their width varies from 400 Km in Kashmir to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The altitudinal variations are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Himalaya consists of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent.
• The northern-most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri.
  • It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres.
• The folds of the Great Himalayas are asymmetrical in nature. Hence, statement 3 is NOT correct.

​Additional Information

• ​The range lying to the south of the Himadri forms the most rugged mountain system and is known as Himachal or lesser Himalaya.
  • The ranges are mainly composed of highly compressed and altered rocks.
  • The altitude varies between 3,700 and 4,500 metres and the average width is of 50 Km.
  • This range consists of the famous valley of Kashmir, the Kangra and Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
• The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks.
  • They extend over a width of 10-50 Km and have an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 metres.
  • These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers from the main Himalayan ranges located farther north.
  • The longitudinal valley lying between lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns.
    • Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some of the well-known Duns.