Ganga and Yamuna rivers emerge from Himalaya along two major faults known as
Ganga and Yamuna Tear Faults, respectively. The two major strike-slip faults transverse
to the Siwalik range are clearly seen in satellite imagery of Dehradun area. Earthquake records,
landslide and recent changes in geomorphological features indicate that the area between Main
Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Main Frontal Thrust (MFT) is tectonically active. An effort has
been made to study the tectonic evolution and neotectonism of Ganga and Yamuna tear faults.
Both spectral and spatial enhancement techniques have been employed to the digital data of
IRS-1B LISS-I to delineate the lineaments and major faults of the area. Based on Mohr’s theory
failure criteria and statistical analysis of remotely sensed lineament data, the horizontal compressive
stress (SHmax) has been estimated at various sites of the study area. These data are consistent with
the published (SHmax) orientation determined from earthquake focal mechanism solution. With help
of a computer program active faults and lineaments have been extracted from the previously obtained
remotely sensed lineament data. The past earthquake data and basement depth contour data have been
used to have an integrated approach with the help of available SIS techniques to reconstruct present day
regional geodynamic model. Attempts have been made to investigate the genesis of Ganga and Yamuna
tear faults and possible cause of recent tectonic activities of the area with the help of proposed geodynamic
model.