THE GEOMORPHOLOGY AND LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION OF THE LAHUL-HIMALAYA, NORTHERN INDIA

Aspects of landscape evolution in the Lahul Himalaya are reconstructed from the study of glacial, mass movement, glaciofluvial, fluvial, roc k glacial, lacustrine and aeolian processes and landforms. Rapid uplif t oi this region helped produce deeply incised valleys and long steep slopes, and was important in controlling the style of glaciation and p roducing a strong climatic gradient which in turn influenced the distr ibution of earth surface processes and landforms. Three main glaciatio ns and at least two minor glacial advances have helped erode deep vall eys producing impressive moraines. Paraglacial processes have played a substantial role in rapidly modifying the landscape by mass movement and fluvial erosion soon after each glaciation.