Guryul Ravine Fossil Site
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DH
Context: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has warned of severe threats to the Guryul Ravine fossil site in Kashmir due to ongoing quarrying and land diversion.
About Guryul Ravine Fossil Site:
• What It Is? Guryul Ravine is a 260-million-year-old geological fossil site, capturing Earth’s greatest mass extinction—the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB). It offers unmatched insight into ancient climate change and evolutionary events.
• Guryul Ravine is a 260-million-year-old geological fossil site, capturing Earth’s greatest mass extinction—the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB). It offers unmatched insight into ancient climate change and evolutionary events.
• Located In: Situated in Khonmoh, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Geologically part of the Vihi District.
• Situated in Khonmoh, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Geologically part of the Vihi District.
• How It Formed? Formed during the Permian–Triassic transition, when volcanic activity, oxygen decline, and climate disruption triggered global die-offs. Over time, marine and terrestrial sediments preserved fossil-rich strata.
• Formed during the Permian–Triassic transition, when volcanic activity, oxygen decline, and climate disruption triggered global die-offs.
• Over time, marine and terrestrial sediments preserved fossil-rich strata.
• Features of Guryul Ravine:
• Permian–Triassic Marker: Hosts rare fossil evidence of the ‘Great Dying’ event that wiped out 90% of marine and 70% of terrestrial species. World’s Oldest Tsunami Record: Exposed layers contain geological proof of Earth’s first known tsunami. Global Research Hub: Visited by geologists from over 10 countries, including USA, Japan, and China, for academic studies. Declared Fossil Zone: Notified under Government Order of 2017 for protection of 9.8 lakh sqm. Much Larger Than China’s Meishan: Its 3m-thick boundary section dwarfs China’s 27cm fossil record, making it superior in scale and significance.
• Permian–Triassic Marker: Hosts rare fossil evidence of the ‘Great Dying’ event that wiped out 90% of marine and 70% of terrestrial species.
• World’s Oldest Tsunami Record: Exposed layers contain geological proof of Earth’s first known tsunami.
• Global Research Hub: Visited by geologists from over 10 countries, including USA, Japan, and China, for academic studies.
• Declared Fossil Zone: Notified under Government Order of 2017 for protection of 9.8 lakh sqm.
• Much Larger Than China’s Meishan: Its 3m-thick boundary section dwarfs China’s 27cm fossil record, making it superior in scale and significance.
• Significance of the Site:
• Scientific Value: Crucial for understanding past climate shifts and their relevance to today’s environmental crisis. Heritage Importance: Eligible for UNESCO Global Geopark and National Geological Monument status. Tourism Potential: Offers rare geotourism value and can become a major attraction like Meishan in China.
• Scientific Value: Crucial for understanding past climate shifts and their relevance to today’s environmental crisis.
• Heritage Importance: Eligible for UNESCO Global Geopark and National Geological Monument status.
• Tourism Potential: Offers rare geotourism value and can become a major attraction like Meishan in China.