The Himalaya Mountains were formed as a result of the Indian Plate pushing into the heart of Asia. There are only three ways plates can interact while moving. This, in turn, causes there to be only three types of boundaries that are produced by different stress fields. The first boundary is called divergent. This is a tension or a stress that pulls the plates apart.
Divergent boundaries cause mid oceanic ridges.
Some other common characteristics are high heat flow, mild volcanic activity, and shallow earthquakes. The second boundary is called convergent and this is a compression, or a stress that can shorten or compresses the plates. Convergent boundaries cause mountain ranges to develop. The Himalayas were formed when the plate carrying India collided with the plate carrying Eurasia. Strong earthquakes are very common with convergent boundaries as well.