The location of the Tibetan Plateau is a result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. To the south, the Great Himalayas act as a massive barrier, while the Kunlun Mountains define its northern edge. This “sandwich” position is what defines it as an intermontane plateau. The plateau’s high altitude is maintained by the continuous northward push of the Indian Plate. Because it is boxed in by these ranges, the interior of the plateau is remarkably flat despite its extreme elevation, creating a unique high-altitude desert environment that is largely isolated from oceanic moisture.