On the Geology of Part of the Himalaya Mountains and Tibet

Abstract

It is, I think, to Humboldt that we are indebted for the first correct views of the general configuration of the surface of the central portion of the great continent of Asia, and for the announcement that, while the greater proportion of the area is comparatively low, the high lands are confined within somewhat narrow limits. The elevated region is known to extend through nearly 30 degrees of longitude, from the sources of the Oxus to those of the Hoang-ho, the Yellow River of China. Its southern limits are tolerably well known also, but we almost entirely depend upon Chinese geographers for the information that we possess of its extension to the north. The chain of mountains that, under the name of Himalaya, forms the northern boundary of Hindostan, is in reality the southern face of this great mass of elevated land, while its northern face in like manner appears upon our maps as the range called Kouenlun. To the south lie the plains of India, whose greatest elevation is not more than 1200 feet above the sea; while on the north the countries around Yarkund and Khoten appear to form an equally striking plateau, which, as we may safely conclude, from the nature of its vegetable productions, can hardly exceed in altitude 3000 feet. The loftiest summits known on the surface of the earth are to be found towards the southern edge of this elevated region, more than one peak having ben measured whose height is upwards of 28,000