OzGeologyasteroid #impact #meteorite #crater #deccantraps #india Embark on a journey through time as we delve into the mysteries of
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The dark lava soil of Nashik
AI Overview
The last major volcanic eruption in the Deccan Traps region occurred approximately 60 to 63 million years ago during the early Paleogene period.
Key Timeline Details
The volcanic activity that created this massive basalt province was highly episodic, meaning it occurred in intense pulses rather than one continuous flow.
- The Onset (~66.25 to 68 million years ago): Fissure eruptions began in the late Cretaceous period as the Indian tectonic plate moved over the Réunion hotspot.
- The Peak (~65 to 66 million years ago): Over 80% of the entire lava volume erupted rapidly around the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. This peak phase released massive amounts of volcanic gases, heavily destabilizing the global climate and heavily contributing to the mass extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs.
Today, the Deccan Traps are entirely extinct. The mantle plume head that fueled these monstrous eruptions now sits beneath the Indian Ocean, where it remains active as the Réunion hotspot near Madagascar. Learn more about the geologic history and timeline of these massive flood basalts on ScienceDirect's Deccan Traps Overview or explore the link between volcanism and dinosaur extinction from the UC Berkeley K-Pg Flood Basalts Project.
Geological Formation
- Parent Rock: Formed by the breakdown of solidified basaltic lava flows over thousands of years.
- Distinct Color: The dark grey to black color comes from compounds like titaniferous magnetite, aluminum, and iron.
There
was once a time when much of India was coated in an active layer of
lava more than a mile thick. As fissures hundreds of ...
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Gilbert Hill
Similar Formations in the USA
- Devils Tower National Monument (Wyoming): This iconic, towering 867-foot monolith features massive, symmetrical columns. It was formed by a similar subterranean intrusion of magma that fractured into columns as it cooled, though it is made of a rare volcanic rock called phonolite rather than basalt. Visitors can explore it further through the Devils Tower National Monument Official Page. [1, 3, 4]
- Devils Postpile National Monument (California): Located in eastern California, this structure is a stark, sheer cliff of dark basalt columns. Formed by a cooling lava flow under 100,000 years ago, it is famous for its exceptionally long, straight hexagonal pillars and the polished "honeycomb" texture at its summit. Plan a trip via the Devils Postpile National Monument Page. [1, 2, 3]
- Sheepeater Cliffs (Yellowstone National Park): This geological attraction features massive exposures of basalt joints created by ancient volcanic flows. Learn more about the park's volcanic features on the Yellowstone National Park Website. [1]
Similar Formations in Australia
Australia features unique coastal and inland basalt columns formed by intense regional volcanic activity millions of years ago. [1]
- Organ Pipes National Park (Victoria): Located near Melbourne, this park features 400,000-year-old basalt columns that sharply resemble giant organ pipes. It is also home to the famous Rosette Rock, a unique radial array of columns that fan out like the spokes of a giant wheel. Learn more at the Parks Victoria Organ Pipes Page. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Sawn Rocks (Mount Kaputar National Park, NSW): This spectacular cliff face is one of Australia's finest examples of "organ piping". The perfectly geometric, pentagonal and hexagonal pillars look as if they were artificially cut by a giant saw. Check out visitor details via the NSW National Parks Sawn Rocks Guide. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Comparison of Key Features
| Formation | Location | Approximate Age | Distinctive Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Hill | Mumbai, India | ~66 Million Years | A steep monolith completely surrounded by urban high-rises. |
| Devils Tower | Wyoming, USA | ~40.5 Million Years | A massive, free-standing monolith made of light-colored phonolite. |
| Devils Postpile | California, USA | ~100,000 Years | Glacially polished tops resembling a hexagonal tiled floor. |
| Sawn Rocks | New South Wales, Australia | ~21 Million Years | A sheer cliff wall that resembles perfectly uniform, stacked pipes. |
| Organ Pipes | Victoria, Australia | ~400,000 Years | Includes a rare, wheel-like radial column formation. |
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Gilbert_HillThe rock has a sheer vertical face and was formed when molten lava was squeezed out of the Earth's clefts during the Mesozoic Era about 66 million years ago.
Levence
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Summary
As a remnant of the breakup of Gondwana, the Indian subcontinent traveled across the ocean w
India now vs 70 million years ago
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Gilbert Hill 🦕🦖!!#ytshorts #reels
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