Abstract

This article deals with the significant geological, geo-scientific studies and geo-heritage site selection along with the Gulf of Manner of Eastern Coast in Southern India. The study area geologically formed in quaternary deposits of soil and recent tectonically formed coastal landforms. The entire area of the Gulf of Mannar coast landform exists a geomorphology of the cave, dunes, wave cliffs, erosional features etc. It is around 456 km from Kanyakumari to Dhanushkodi along the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. The valuable geological sites of Kanyakumari, Vattakottai, Idinthakarai, Chokkan Kudiirupu Teri deposits, Manapadu Sandridge, St. Xavier Cave, Tiruchendur Valli cave, Rameshwaram Raman Temple, Dhanushkodi old heritage places are essential features. About 21 islands have been formed due to the flow of various river channels in four groups of the Gulf of Mannar Islands.

The different structures of mudflat, pot holes, shell, and quaternary recent fossil deposits of sedimentary deposits are being accumulated in and around the natural beach. The valuable beach has substantial mineral deposits of garnet, rutile, zircon, and monazite. The migration of beach dune is due to the sea wave and tidal impact, and it is generated new structures like cliffs and cave in the study area. Geo-diversity geographical heritage and parks are mainly located in this coast. The geological features like rocks, minerals, fossil, soil, different geological units, landscapes and history of earth evolution are called as diversity. These are the importance of the archaeological and ecological studies. Along with this, the study is also used for identification of suitable sites such as Van and Nallathanni Islands, which are found very good in-term of groundwater quality to visit as geo-tourism and geo-heritage place in the Gulf of Mannar Islands.

Keywords: Geo-heritage; Tourism sites; Islands; Gulf of Mannar; Southern India