Source: The post is based on the article “GSI proposes ‘Geo Heritage’ tag for Jurassic age ‘Natural Arch’ in Odisha” published in New Indian Express on 18th June 2023
What is the News?
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has proposed declaring the ‘Brahmani Natural Arch’ in the Sundargarh forest division of Odisha as a Geo Heritage Site.
Once declared, it will be the biggest natural arch of the country to have the Geo Heritage tag.
Note: India currently has two other natural arches, located at Tirumala hills in Tirupati and Andaman and Nicobar, but both are smaller than the one in Sundargarh.
About Brahmani Natural Arch
Located in: Kanika range of Sundargarh forest division of Odisha
Key Features: The oval-shaped arch has a base length of 30 meters and a height of 12 meters.
– The natural arch is composed of ferruginous sandstone from the Upper Kamthi Formation.
– It dates back to the lower to middle Jurassic age, approximately 184 to 160 million years old.
– The site showcases primary sedimentary structures and is believed to have formed due to fault activities and sub-aerial weathering.
– Research on the geological significance of the site began in 2017 after its discovery during coal exploration in the district.
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