8. What are fault zones? Name the fault zones in India.

Fault zones are areas where geological faults, fractures, or discontinuities in the Earth's crust have accumulated significant stress and strain, leading to the potential for seismic activity such as earthquakes. These zones are characterized by the presence of faults, which are planes of weakness along which movement has occurred or has the potential to occur due to tectonic forces.

In India, several fault zones are recognized for their significance in terms of seismic activity and tectonic processes. Some of the major fault zones in India include:

1. Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) Fault Zone: The Main Boundary Thrust is a major geological fault zone that marks the boundary between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. It extends along the foothills of the Himalayas from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to the Indus River valley in the west. The MBT fault zone is associated with significant seismic activity and is capable of producing large-magnitude earthquakes.

2. Main Central Thrust (MCT) Fault Zone: The Main Central Thrust is another important fault zone in the Himalayan region of India. It lies to the south of the Main Boundary Thrust and marks the boundary between the Lesser Himalayas and the Great Himalayas. The MCT fault zone is associated with the movement of rocks during the Himalayan orogeny and contributes to seismic activity in the region.

3. Eastern Boundary Fault (EBF) Zone: The Eastern Boundary Fault is a major fault zone that extends along the eastern margin of the Indian Plate, separating it from the Burmese Plate and the Sunda Plate. It runs from Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast to the Bay of Bengal in the southeast and is associated with seismic activity in the northeastern states of India.

4. Western Boundary Fault (WBF) Zone: The Western Boundary Fault marks the western margin of the Indian Plate, separating it from the Arabian Plate. It runs along the western coast of India and is associated with seismic activity in regions such as Gujarat and Maharashtra.

5. Kachchh Mainland Fault (KMF) Zone: The Kachchh Mainland Fault is a significant fault zone in the Kachchh region of Gujarat. It is associated with the seismic activity observed in the region, including the devastating earthquake that struck Gujarat in 2001.

These fault zones play a crucial role in shaping the geological and tectonic landscape of India and are important considerations for understanding seismic hazards and assessing earthquake risk in the country.