Terraces, in the Himalayan Tributaries of Ganges in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The Ganga system in Garhwal Himalaya comprises of Alaknanda followed by Bhagirathi, Bhalangana, Mandakini, Pindar, Atta Gad and Jalkhur with their terraces. Alaknanda is the trunk stream and the others are tributaries. The Alaknanda and its tributaries include terraces of three domains: glacial, fluvio-glacial and fluvial deposits in three distinct environments in Pleistocene, late-Pleistocene and Holocene. Stratigraphic succession of terraces and sequential stages of valley development in the Ganga system of Garhwal Himalaya has been worked out. There was continuous decrease in rate of uplift of Himalaya from early to late Holocene, as evidenced by the conspicuous divergent disposition of older terraces and convergence of younger terraces all along the length of the Alaknanda river.