Erra Matti Dibbalu

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1

Citizens join hands to preserve the geological marvel of Erra Matti Dibbalu in Visakhapatnam. 

About Erra Matti Dibbalu

• Erra Matti Dibbalu, a geological marvel unique to the coast of Visakhapatnam. 
• Located between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam, the Erra Matti Dibbalu are rare red sand dunes that are a reminder of the million years of geological processes, and among the 34 notified National Geological Heritage Monument Sites of India by the Geological Survey of India. 
• The width of the dunes, which runs for five kilometres along the coast, varies from 200 metres to two kilometres. 
• Located at a distance of 16 kilometres from Visakhapatnam, the towering red sand dunes with patches of greenery is like a meandering maze, which takes one on a fascinating journey into one of the best kept secrets of the geological world, formed millions of years ago.
• The dunes comprise a light yellow sand dune at the top followed by a brick red sand unit, and a reddish brown concretion bearing sand unit with yellow sand at the bottom.
• Studies indicate that the area was tectonically active between 2.5 million years and 11,000 years ago and the sediments are mainly derived from the Khondalite rocks from the hinterland of the Eastern Ghats. 
• Geologically these red sand dune sediments particularly hold significance as they are the result of the combined effect of numerous factors including global climatic changes, sea-level variations, monsoonal variability and as a result serve as valuable paleo-environment indicators.
• It is interesting to note that the region was also the home to the prehistoric man as the excavations dug at several places in the region revealed stone implements of three distinctive periods and also the pottery of the Neolithic man.

• Such sand deposits have been reported only from three low latitude tropical regions in South Asia — the Teri Sands of Tamil Nadu, the Erra Matti Dibbalu in Andhra Pradesh and Red Coastal Sands of Sri Lanka.

Geological Survey of India (GSI)

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.  
• Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment. 
• These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical etc.  
• GSI uses latest computer-based technologies for dissemination of geoscientific information and spatial data, through cooperation and collaboration with other stakeholders in the Geo-informatics sector.  
• Its headquarters is in Kolkata. 
• GSI an attached office to the Ministry of Mines has regional offices in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Shillong. 
• GSI also has unit offices in almost all States of the country.

Question: Discuss the significance of Geological Survey of India.