A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) has uncovered the ancient geological history of the Saurashtra Basin in western India. Their research dates the minerals found in the sediments, revealing the paths of ancient rivers and the geological evolution of the region. Covering 2,40,000 square kilometres, this basin, hidden beneath volcanic rocks, provides valuable insights into India’s past and ancient supercontinent configurations.

Situated across western Gujarat and north of Mumbai’s coastline, the Saurashtra Basin is buried under Deccan Traps, volcanic rocks from eruptions 66 million years ago. Despite these obstructions, recent studies have unveiled a fascinating narrative of India’s geological journey through millennia.