Differences in the topography of central Nepal and Bhutan are characterized by map and profile patterns of elevation, slope, relief, and stream gradients. Nepal exhibits a narrow hinterland zone of extreme relief, steep slopes and channels, and deep fluvial dissection and a wide foreland zone of lower relief; active shortening on the Main Frontal thrust occurs far outboard of the steep topography. In contrast, Bhutan has two high-relief zones separated by a narrow, low-relief step in the topographic and river profiles; the southern zone has the higher relief, rising abruptly from the Main Frontal thrust to a series of 4000 m peaks, whereas the northern zone consists of low-relief, high-elevation, plateau-like terrain cut by widely spaced, steep-walled valleys. Spatial relationships between these geomorphic features, and geologic contrasts, are used to examine scenarios of tectonic and surface-process interactions. The observations favor a model of along-strike segmentation in which timing differences in the varying balance of uplift and erosion produce spatial differences of topographic and geologic patterns, although other interpretations are possible.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.