Tectonic Geomorphology of the Rambiara Basin, SW Kashmir Valley Reveals Emergent Out-of-sequence Active Fault System

Various geomorphic indices for the Rambiara drainage basin, which lies in SW of the Kashmir Valley, together with the development of unpaired fluvial terraces reveal the area to be tectonically active. Field and geomorphic data identify a group of three NE-dipping active reverse fault, one of which, named Balapur Fault, is traced over at least 40 km along the southwest side of the Kashmir Valley. Stratigraphic relations across the Balapur Fault give 13m separation. The existence of the active Balapur and associated faults north of the Panjal Thurst (=MCT) presents a picture of a more complex strain partitioning regime in the Kashmir Himalaya than is usually visualized.