THEORY OF MOUNTAIN BUILDING: GEOSYNCLINE THEORY OF KOBER
Leopold Kober an Australian geologist, proposed the Geosyncline theory which
is based on the forces of contraction produced by the cooling of the earth. In
other words, the force of contraction generated due to the cooling of the earth
causes horizontal Movement squeeze, buckle and fold sediment, forming
mountains. He proposed the geosyncline theory in the early 20th century but
was published in 1955.
Kober’s theory explain the formation of the Himalayas. He believed that the
Himalayas were formed from a great geosyncline called the “Tethys Sea”. The
Tethys sea was located between the Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates.
As per Kober, there are two zones:
Orogen or Mobile zone: The place of mountain building.
Kartogen or Rigid zone: Orogen is surrounded by Kartogen.
Kober defined the three stages of Mountain building:
1. Litho-genesis
2. Orogenesis
3. Gipthogenesis
1. Litho-genesis: There is a negligible force of compression in the beds of
geosyncline. As the geosyncline continues to fill with sediment, the
weight causes the crust beneath. This process is known as “Subsidence”.
As subsidence continues, the geosyncline begins to deepen and allow
more sediments to accumulate and can continue for million of years.
Leopold Kober an Australian geologist, proposed the Geosyncline theory which
is based on the forces of contraction produced by the cooling of the earth. In
other words, the force of contraction generated due to the cooling of the earth
causes horizontal Movement squeeze, buckle and fold sediment, forming
mountains. He proposed the geosyncline theory in the early 20th century but
was published in 1955.
Kober’s theory explain the formation of the Himalayas. He believed that the
Himalayas were formed from a great geosyncline called the “Tethys Sea”. The
Tethys sea was located between the Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates.
As per Kober, there are two zones:
Orogen or Mobile zone: The place of mountain building.
Kartogen or Rigid zone: Orogen is surrounded by Kartogen.
Kober defined the three stages of Mountain building:
1. Litho-genesis
2. Orogenesis
3. Gipthogenesis
1. Litho-genesis: There is a negligible force of compression in the beds of
geosyncline. As the geosyncline continues to fill with sediment, the
weight causes the crust beneath. This process is known as “Subsidence”.
As subsidence continues, the geosyncline begins to deepen and allow
more sediments to accumulate and can continue for million of years.
