Kashmir Valley is which type of Valley?

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• While the Kashmir Valley has a tectonic origin, it has been significantly shaped by erosional processes, making it an erosional valley as well.
• Formation of Kashmir Valley:
  • Tectonic Uplift:
    • The valley was initially formed due to tectonic movements during the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.
  • Glacial and River Erosion:
    • Over millions of years, the glaciers and rivers (especially the Jhelum River) played a major role in eroding and deepening the valley.
    • During the Ice Age, glaciers covered the valley, carving out the landscape and leaving behind U-shaped valleys and moraines.
  • Sedimentary Deposits and Lake Formation:
    • The valley was once a huge lake, known as the Karewa Basin, which later drained due to river erosion.
  • Present-Day Features:
    • The valley continues to be shaped by erosional forces, making it an erosional valley in its present form. Hence, option 3 is correct.