GSI to induct Rs 600 crore Samudra Ratnakar for sea research
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will induct Rs. 600-crore state-of-the-art research vessel Samudra Ratnakar built by Korean manufacturer Hyundai Heavy Industries for survey and exploration of the seabed in Indian and international waters. It will be docked in Mangalore.
The Mangalore-based Marine and Coastal Survey Division has already conducted over 700 research trips on its deep sea research vessel R.V. Samudra Manthan and twin coastal survey vessels, R.V. Samudra Kaustubh and R. V. Samudra Shaudhikama.
Deep sea and coastal survey by GSI:
- Systematic multidisciplinary marine survey started after the acquisition of deep sea and coastal survey vessels in 1983-84.
- The surveys were conducted within Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Territorial Waters (TW) and adjoining international waters.
- Over 120 trained geologists, geophysicists and chemists are currently part of GSI’s sea research team.
- Mangalore Division was the headquarters for all marine surveys and exploration in India by the GSI. In addition, it has seven operational offices at Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Vishakhapatnam and Chennai, Cochin and Gandhinagar.
- Collection of bathymetric, magnetic, seismic and sediment distribution data within TW and EEZ of India is the current focus of GSI.
- GSI uses dual frequency single channel echosounder, multibeam echosounder and side scan sonar surveys to study the geomorphology of the seabed.
- It conducts petrological, palaeontological, chemical and geotechnical parameters of seabed sediments to understand the sediment distribution pattern, its characteristics and to assess the economic mineral potential of the shelf and offshore regions.
- It also studies sea level changes, palaeoclimate, coastal changes and geological history of the ocean basins.
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Month: Current Affairs - October, 2013