
We are standing on a beach rather unique to these islands. How this sand was created is a remarkable story, and quite different from what we left back home. Most beach sand of continents is quartz and feldspar rich, formed by the degradation of ancient rocks like granite and quartzite. The beach sand here in the Maldives is white, powdery and vastly different from what's found on continents. So how did this island beach come to be? Until 88 million years ago, the eastern margin of Madagascar was melded to India's west coast. An abrupt volcanic event tore Madagascar from India and broke off a small triangular piece from its north to create what we now know as Seychelles.
About 20 million years ago, when India drifted 900km away from Madagascar, another volcanic event was triggered under the sea. This created Reunion Island, which is now roughly 3,300km south-south-west from the Maldives as the albatross flies. This event marked the first of three episodes of what geologists label the "Deccan volcanic event", which created Mumbai and Pune with its dramatic layered-cake plateaus.
The volcanoes under the sea pushed the Indian plate further east. When India reached the spot where Chagos Islands (a corrupted version of the Portuguese word for chaos) are today, it tripped on another weak spot in the crust under the ocean, causing more lava to flow into the ocean.
The roiling lava cooled in the presence of water and formed funnel-shaped structures that emerged from the sea. Each of these dark grey basalt cone-like structures spewed smoke and gas, and often lava. As India migrated northwards, volcanoes popped up and created a near-straight underwater ridge. This ridge, the 73 East Ridge, about 1,200km south of the Maldives, starts with Chagos Islands and ends with the Lakshadweep Islands (about 900km north of the Maldives).
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 24, 2024-Ausgabe von Mint Mumbai.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 24, 2024-Ausgabe von Mint Mumbai.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Investing in China: the how and why of it
Even as Indian stock markets go through a rough patch, Chinese equities have rebounded after lagging for around a decade.

Russia Overpowers Bold Ukrainian Military Venture in Kursk
Around 11,000 North Koreans Were Deployed to Kursk in December After Training in Russia
Healthcare M&As lead, VC funding slows
Takeover transactions in healthcare sector dominated dealmaking activity during the four-day period ended 13 March, marking the fourth busy week in a row for mergers and acquisitions.

Gensol & Blu-Smart: A Tale of Debt and Distress
Gensol's balance sheet has been used to build Blu-Smart's business.

Bear trap building at IndusInd counter as RBI calms fears
IndusInd Bank's beaten-down shares may be prime for a rebound, for now, as the central bank's weekend assurance revives investor confidence, sparking a scramble for its shares.

Rural jobs signal stalling recovery
Demand for work under the central government's rural jobs scheme has seen a steady rise over the past six months, potentially reflecting broader growth challenges facing the Indian economy and underscoring the vulnerabilities of millions of rural households.

Why storytelling, focus, and trust matter in startup brand building
Branding is often an afterthought for startups, yet it can define their long-term success.
Rupee: Its digital future is relevant, not its origin
A political row over the linguistic heritage of its symbol mustn't distract us from the need to ensure India's currency evolves in optimal response to tech shifts and geo-economic flux

UB Bets on Premium Beer as States Pour a Bitter Tax Brew
While it's eyeing Ultra brands to drive growth, rising taxes threaten to spoil the summer party

Trump's new world order tests dollar
President Trump has launched an unprecedented challenge to a geopolitical order that has prevailed for decades. One potential victim: the U.S. dollar.