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Climbed the Savanadurga outcrop (~4024 ft), near #Bengaluru yesterday.
Touted as #Asia's largest monolith (single rock structure), it is comprised of 2 hills - Karigudda & Biligudda (black & white hill in #Kannada).
Thread on #geology & other tidbits...
Climbed the Savanadurga outcrop (~4024 ft), near #Bengaluru yesterday.
Touted as #Asia's largest monolith (single rock structure), it is comprised of 2 hills - Karigudda & Biligudda (black & white hill in #Kannada).
Thread on #geology & other tidbits...
Part of the Dharwar/ #Karnataka craton (dating to the Archaean Eon when continents were forming & life was beginning) is one of #India's oldest features.
The craton is a natural cross-section of continental crust. Outcrops like #Savanadurga (& Nandi Hills) are granite intrusions.
The craton is a natural cross-section of continental crust. Outcrops like #Savanadurga (& Nandi Hills) are granite intrusions.
Such a sheer rock face means that water is only available via cracks & fissures.
All along the outcrop, you'll notice quartz-carbonate veins - thin lines of shimmery rocks, as also the occasional dyke (as in the photo).
( #ICYMI: older thread on dykes: https://twitter.com/Geo_Sophist/status/1271432648368386048?s=19)
All along the outcrop, you'll notice quartz-carbonate veins - thin lines of shimmery rocks, as also the occasional dyke (as in the photo).
( #ICYMI: older thread on dykes: https://twitter.com/Geo_Sophist/status/1271432648368386048?s=19)
The vegetation on outcrops is only along cracks or at the edge of seasonal, rocky pool - varying between microscopic to gigantic ( #Savanadurga has some massive examples of frangipani/temple tree).
Yet all are seasonal - thriving when there's water, shoring up reserves when dry.
Yet all are seasonal - thriving when there's water, shoring up reserves when dry.
Such extreme ecosystems often harbour rare or endemic #biodiversity (eg. the discovery of the Ficus dalhousiae in Kunthi betta: http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/1516)
I was also surprised to see 5-7 Egyptian vultures soaring above the crags - couldn't find their roost though.
#Bengaluru
I was also surprised to see 5-7 Egyptian vultures soaring above the crags - couldn't find their roost though.
#Bengaluru
#Savanadurga was a recording station for Col Lambton's 'Great Trigonometric Survey of #India'.
Referred to as Savanadroog - it was an important highpoint in the 100 year survey that resulted in inch-scale #maps of the Indian subcontinent.
Read more: https://issuu.com/udayakumarp.l/docs/the_story_of_the_bangalore_baseline
Referred to as Savanadroog - it was an important highpoint in the 100 year survey that resulted in inch-scale #maps of the Indian subcontinent.
Read more: https://issuu.com/udayakumarp.l/docs/the_story_of_the_bangalore_baseline
(Lambton's survey was a stupendous mathematical & geographical effort, that also resulted in Mt. Everest's claim as the highest peak in the world.)
To conclude:
The unusual mix of plants, trees & lichens on #Savanadurga is worth another thread, as is the #biodiversity!
To conclude:
The unusual mix of plants, trees & lichens on #Savanadurga is worth another thread, as is the #biodiversity!
* Note to self: carry the camera next time.
Sometimes, you do not need to #travel far for #adventure - a little knowledge of #geography, #history & #biodiversity can go a long way in painting vivid memories!
Here's to exploring more haunts around #Bengaluru soon.
~ FIN/
Sometimes, you do not need to #travel far for #adventure - a little knowledge of #geography, #history & #biodiversity can go a long way in painting vivid memories!
Here's to exploring more haunts around #Bengaluru soon.
~ FIN/
