Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh

05 Sep 2022 Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh

Posted at 15:07h in Daily current-affairs by khushhal chauhan 0 Comments

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GS Paper 1:Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Image Courtesy: The Hindu

About Borra caves:

Borra caves are ancient caves and among the deepest and longest caves in India. Geological Survey of India in 1807 discovered these caves.
It is located in the Anantagiri hills of the Eastern Ghats range in Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh.
Geological formation of Borra Caves is due to water activity from Gosthani river created Borra caves millions of years ago .
Depth of karstic limestone structures in Borra caves extends up to 80 metres.
Formation of stalagmites and stalacites happened in this cave due to the water activity cutting through rich limestone over the years.
Anthropological research found unearthed stone tools of middle Paleolithic culture dating between 30,000 and 50,000 years ago confirming human habitation in that area.
Caves are illuminated with artificial lighting to draw visitors from across India.

Image Courtesy: The Hindu

Mechanism for formation of Borra Caves:

Creation of humic acid in the water due to partially decomposed organic matter .
Gradual disintegration of stone due to reaction of acidic water with calcium carbonate in limestone leading to dissolution of minerals in the stone.
Formation of Borra Caves happen when chemical reaction kept eroding the stones over a long period time due to small streams from the hillocks of the Gosthani River.
Continuing chemical reaction, due to Gosthani river leading to formation of new shapes and changes in the shape of old ones.
Stalagmites in the caves are formed when water percolates from the roof of the caves and reacts with calcium bicarbonate and other minerals on the rock forming mound-like structures on the ground .
Stalactites are spear-like structures hanging from the roof .

Image Courtesy: The Hindu

What are the structures that inspire the viewer’s imagination?

Many sculptures such as of mother-child, Shiva-Parvati, monkeys, brain, crocodile, rishi’s beard, cow’s udder are found in the caves.
Naturally formed joint that links two huge stones from top to bottom are found at one end of the caves.
Kottavasala-Kirandul railway line passes over the caves, deep inside at a point. The thickness of the rock at this point is 100 feet.
Natural Shivling formed inside the caves, which is worshiped by inhabiting tribals.