| Abstract: | Compression movements generated by continental collision apart from leading to uplift of the intervening ocean sediments brings about closure of the oceanic body in a phased manner.In the culminating phase of uplift when ocean sediments assume the form of a gigantic mountain system, a number of depressions or closed basins of various dimensions are developed in the orogenic belt. These depressions are principally developed by the differential folding of rocks coupled with faulting and thrusting associated with the uplift process.The mountain drainage gets impounded in these depressions and gives rise to the formation of lakes..During cold climate the depressions are also developed by glacial abrasion wh ich are subsequently filled by snowmelt to form the lakes of various dimensions.Himalaya is dotted with a number of lakes of both tectonic and glacial origin and signify the crown stage of tectonic development of the World's tallest and youngest mountain belt.A number of lake basins have developed in the various longitudinal belts of this mountain system. Several lake basins like Tso Morari, Pangong Tso and Tso Kar have developed in close proximity of the Indus Suture zone (ISZ),the tectonic belt which marks the zone of continental collision between India and Asia.These lakes by virtue of their location, size, sediment content, water chemistry and associated geomorphic features are the potential source of information in regard to climo|tectonic changes witnessed by Himalaya|Tibet region in late Cenozoic period. The paper attempts at elucidating these changes that have occurred in Ladakh Trans Himalaya citing the illustration of the Tso Kar lake. |
