Role of initial basin width in partitioning total shortening in the Lesser Himalayan fold-thrust belt: Insights from regional balanced cross-sections

摘要

Published, regional, balanced cross-sections constructed across various transects along the Himalayan fold-thrust belt (FTB) suggest significant lateral variations in the magnitude and partitioning of total minimum shortening among various lithotectonic units. The variation in shortening is greatest in the Lesser Himalayan sequence (LHS). Western Nepal Himalaya records the highest shortening. Shortening variation shows non-uniform spatial distribution along the length of the FTB, with regions of lower shortening estimates lying in between regions of higher shortening estimates.