The Making of the Himalayas through the Lens of Ladakh Geology, Structure, and Landscapes by Michael G. Petterson, Lanka Nanayakkara

This book provides a beautifully illustrated overview of the physical science of mountains, showcasing the evocative and highly informative terrains of Ladakh. Readers are taken across the mountains and valleys of Zanskar, the Indus Valley, and Nubra, relating a story that took millions of years to tell. This story includes the geology and tectonics of the Himalayas alongside the creation of landscapes, the people that live within them, and the scientific understanding required for minds to unravel the mysteries (mantras) of mountains.

The book is region- and theme-focused. Early chapters detail the science of continental collision tectonics, crustal deformation, and the geography of the Ladakhi mountains, together with a broad geo-tectonic overview of Ladakh and surrounding regions. Geology and stratigraphy of the Indian Plate units (High Himalaya Crystallines and Zanskar Sequence) are presented, step by step, together with deep crustal metamorphic processes, and the folding and thrusting of rocks, essential for the making of the Himalayas. The Kohistan-Ladakh Island Arc is presented as an opportunity to learn how new crust is created within oceans, producing batholithic and volcanic sequences, and how mountains are eroded to produce molasse sedimentary rocks. Geological accounts end crossing the Shyok Suture into the Karakoram Terrane. Focus then turns to how tectonics, ice, rivers, gravity, and wind shape and mould the spectacular mountain landscapes of Ladakh and the culture of resilient people who live amongst them.

This book is intended for anyone with a curious mind about mountains and how they are formed and shaped. Mountains evoke deep human connections to our dynamic Earth in humbling and inspiring ways. This book speaks to people within and way beyond academia and professional geology: to anyone who loves mountains.