On rocky ground: Ancient stones and Goa beyond beaches
Evelyn Siqueira
SEEING RED
Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of laterite and is rich in ferric-aluminum oxides which give it its reddish brown colour.
Goa | laterite | Photo: Nandini Das Gupta
DOWN BY THE RIVER
In the interiors and along the riverbanks, the soil is generally alluvial and loamy. Being rich in minerals and humus, it is suitable for agricultural purposes.
Goa | agriculture | soil | Photo: Rohan Fernandes
OLD SPICE
Some of the oldest rocks in India are found in Goa – between Mollem and Anmod – on Goa's border with Karnataka.
Goa | Ghats
A CLASS APART
These rocks are classified as Trondhjemeitic Gneiss, which are India’s oldest rocks.
Goa | Trondhjemeitic Gneiss | South Goa
AGE OLD
Trondhjemeitic Gneiss are very old rocks, estimated to be over 3.2 billion years old. They were formed when India was part of the supercontinent, Gondwanaland.
Gondwanaland | Goa | india
ON A DATE
The rocks were dated by rubidium isotope dating, and a specimen of the rock is on display at Goa University, Taleigao Plateau.
Goa University | Taleigao Plateau
SEE IT HERE
Some of these rocks can be seen at Colomb beach, a short distance from Palolem beach, in South Goa.