India has a rich and varied geological history that spans billions of years. The country's diverse landscapes and rock formations reflect a complex and dynamic history of tectonic activity, mountain building, and erosion.
The earliest rocks in India date back to the Archaean Era, more than 3 billion years ago. These rocks are found in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan and the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and Karnataka. They consist mainly of metamorphic and igneous rocks, such as gneiss, schist, and granite.
During the Proterozoic Era, which lasted from 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago, India was part of the supercontinent Gondwana. During this time, the country was subjected to intense tectonic activity, which resulted in the formation of mountain ranges such as the Satpura and Vindhya ranges.
The Mesozoic Era, which lasted from 252 million to 66 million years ago, saw the breakup of Gondwana and the formation of the Indian Ocean. This period is characterized by the deposition of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, shale, and limestone, which can be found in the Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau.
The Cenozoic Era, which began 66 million years ago and continues to the present day, saw the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, which resulted in the uplift of the Himalayas. This collision is still ongoing, and the Himalayas continue to rise at a rate of about 5 millimeters per year.
India's geological history has had a significant impact on the country's landscape and natural resources. The diverse rock formations and mineral deposits have contributed to the country's rich and varied landscape, as well as its abundance of natural resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The country's rich geological history has also made it a hub for geologists and geoscientists from around the world, who come to study the diverse and complex geology of this ancient land.
