National Geological Monuments of India

Why in news?

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified certain geological sites across the Northeast for promotion of geo-tourism as some States in the region prepare to ease the lockdown restrictions from September 2021.

About National Geological Monuments:

• National Geological Monuments are geographical areas of national importance and heritage, as notified by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), for their maintenance, protection, promotion and enhancement of geo-tourism.
• There are 34 notified National Geological Heritage Monument Sites in India.
• GSI or the respective State governments are responsible for taking necessary measures to protect these sites

List of National Geological Monuments (state-wise):

• ANDHRA PRADESH
  • Volcanogenic bedded Barytes
  • Eparchaean Unconformity
  • Natural Geological Arch, Tirumala Hills
  • Erra Matti Dibbalu- the dissected and stabilized coastal red sediment mounds located between Vishakhapatnam and Bhimunipatnam.
• KERALA
  • Laterite near Angadipuram PWD rest house premises
  • Varkala Cliff Section
• TAMILNADU
  • Fossil wood near Tiruvakkarai
  • National fossil wood park
  • Charnockite, St. Thomas Mount
  • Badlands of Karai Formation with Cretaceous fossils along Karai – Kulakkalnattam Section
• GUJARAT
  • Sedimentary Structures – Eddy Markings, Kadan Dam
• RAJASTHAN
  • Sendra Granite
  • Barr Conglomerate
  • Stromatolite Fossil Park, Jharmarkotra Rock Phosphate deposit
  • Gossan in Rajpura-Dariba Mineralised belt
  • Stromatolite Park near Bhojunda
  • Akal Fossil Wood Park
  • Kishangarh Nepheline Syenite
  • Welded Tuff
  • Jodhpur Group – Malani Igneous Suite Contact
  • Great Boundary Fault at Satur
• MAHARASHTRA
  • Lonar Lake
• CHATTISGARH
  • Lower Permian Marine bed at Manendragarh
• KARNATAKA
  • Columnar Lava, St Mary Island 
  • Pillow lavas near Mardihalli
  • Peninsular Gneiss, Lalbagh
  • Pyroclastics & Pillow lavas, Kolar Gold fields
• HIMACHAL PRADESH
  • Siwalik Fossil Park, Saketi
• ODISHA
  • Pillow Lava in lron ore belt at Nomira
• JHARKHAND
  • Plant Fossil bearing Inter-trappean beds of Rajmahal Formation, upper Gondwana sequence around Mandro
• NAGALAND
  • Nagahill Ophiolite Site near Pungro
• SIKKIM
  • Stromatolite bearing Dolomite / Limestone of Buxa Formation at Mamley

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following sites are notified as ‘national geological monuments’ by Geological Survey of India?

1. Lonar Lake

2. Varkala Cliff Section

3. Siwalik Fossil Park

4. Great Boundary Fault at Satur

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1,3 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1,2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer