1. Plate Tectonics: The Earth's surface is made up of large plates that move slowly over time. This movement is driven by heat from the Earth's core.

2. Indian Subcontinent: Millions of years ago, the Indian subcontinent was a separate landmass, drifting northward.

3. Collision: Around 50 million years ago, the Indian subcontinent collided with the Eurasian Plate.

4. Folding and Uplift: The immense force of the collision caused the land to buckle, fold, and uplift, creating the towering Himalayan mountain range.

5. Ongoing Process: The collision continues today, albeit at a very slow pace. This is why the Himalayas are still rising, and why earthquakes are common in the region.

In short, the Himalayas were formed by the immense pressure created when the Indian Plate crashed into the Eurasian Plate, pushing the land upward.