[The Almost Complete] Formation of Andaman & Nicobar Island
This post is a part of [The Almost Complete] Guide to Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the southeastern edge of Bay of Bengal. The peaks of submerged mountain ranges, the Andaman Islands and their neighbors in the south, the Nicobar Islands, form an arc stretching southwards from some 620 miles between Myanmar, Burma and Sumatra Islands, Indonesia. This arc constitutes of Bay of Bengal in the West and Andaman Sea in the East.
There are three prominent theories described for the origins of this Island
1. The Charles Darwin Theory
Sir Charles Robert Darwin. in 1881, photographed by Julia Margaret Cameron ( Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy )
In 1842, Sir Charles Robert Darwin suggested caving of a volcanic island resulted in a formation of a coral reef that lies near the shore, and the continuous caving caused a lagoon type formation with a coral ring, also called coral atoll was formed.
How Coral Atolls form by Becky Oskin, Livescience.com
The Coral Atoll Encyclopedia by National Geographic
The Formation of Coral Atoll, Source – Wikipedia
A sandbank was created within these rings due to winds, waves, currents and temperatures which resulted it to become a breeding ground for birds. This resulted in the fertilization of sandbanks and ground vegetation was possible due to birds.
Satellite picture of the Atafu atoll in Tokelau in the Pacific Ocean, Source – Wikipedia
Once the vegetation was possible it became suitable for humans to survive in the Island.
2. The Continental Drift Theory
Prof. Dr. Alfred Lothar Wagener, ca. 1924-1930
Alfred Wagener was the first to suggest this theory in 1915. The southern landmass of the Earth was called Gondwana or Gondwanaland. Gondwanaland was then split into India, Australia, Asia, Africa, South America.
Gondwana or Gondwanaland, Roughly 420 Million Years Ago. Source – Wikipedia
The Tethys sea once separated the Indian landmass from the mainland Asia. The Indian landmass took its sweet time to cross the Tethys Sea and unite with mainland Asia.
Himalayan Ranges, Source – Wikipedia
The collision resulted in the birth of the magnificent Himalayan Range. The discovery of marine fossils at impossible heights in Himalayas confirms this theory.
Shellfish Fossil found in Barucha-La, a high pass in Indian Himalayas, Source – Kelly Kochanski, http://www.kochanski.org
The eastern Himalayas extend to Arakan Yoma Range. The islands are considered to be an extension of these ranges starting from Cape Negrais, which are popularly known as Pagoda Point in Burma to Aceh Head in Sumatra, South Indonesia.
The continuation of mountain ranges Andaman & Nicobar islands, Source – Google Maps
Arranged in longitudinal axis, the islands are visible upper zones of mountain ranges which have been swallowed into the sea. Hydrographic, anthropological, botanical, zoological and geological studies suggest the same. Due to some geological disturbances the mountain range sank and only the top part is visible on the sea surface.
Some researchers and scientists believe this landmass, before sinking allowed the early Negrito tribes to pass from the mainland to the island.
3. The Geological Theory
This theory suggests, the islands are created due to tectonic plate moments of the two continental plates in the seabed. The subduction of India plate below the Burma plate resulted in the landmass to rise and create the islands. Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall under “Seismic Zone V” as they lie near the boundary of these tectonic plates.
Subduction is a geological process where 1 plate slides below the another, giving rise to landmass an volcanoes. The above video by The Science Channel represents the process of Subduction.
This theory also explains the presence of volcanoes in this area.
Conclusion
All of these theories suggest the formation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in one way or the another, neither of the theory can be completely accepted or denied. But we are sure that you can thank the forces of nature to give us a wonderful island in middle of a turquoise blue sea.
Publishing Date: 21 February 2019
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