Previous Year Question
With reference to the Himalayan range, which of the statements is/are correct?
The sedimentary rocks of the greater Himalayas were fossil less.
Marine livings fossils are found in the sedimentary rocks of lesser Himalayas.
Remains of human civilization are found in outer or Shivalik Himalayas.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3 are correct
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Greater Himalaya is the highest and central mountain range of the Himalayas. In the conventional geological classification used in the examination, its highly metamorphosed/crystalline and ancient rocks are generally treated as fossil-poor or fossil-less.
Several sedimentary sequences of the Lesser Himalaya were deposited in ancient marine environments. Studies by the Wadia Institute have confirmed the occurrence of conodonts, acritarchs and microfossils in rock sequences such as the Tal and Krol of the Lesser Himalaya. These provide evidence of ancient marine depositional environments.
The Siwalik or Outer Himalaya is the outermost and comparatively youngest Himalayan range. Its sediments are particularly well known for vertebrate fossils. Evidence of prehistoric life and hominid-associated localities has also been reported from the Siwalik region; therefore, in the examination context, the third statement is also considered correct.