Bhubaneswar: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has declared the ‘Natural Arch’ near Hemgir in the Sundargarh district of Odisha as Geo Heritage Site.
Found in the Chhengapahar reserve forest near Brahmani village of Kendudihi Block, the arch has a length of 30 metres at the base and a height of 12 metres. Its alcove has a maximum height and width of 7 metres and 15 metres respectively. Geometrically, the arch is oval-shaped.
The geological experts believe that the formation of natural arch might be ignited by the fault system and associated joints while the porosity of the poorly sorted, immature, arkosic, and loose sandstone accelerates the process through subaerial weathering. Therefore, it may be mentioned as structurally triggered – weather eroded natural arch.
With the addition of the Natural Arch, now Odisha has two Geo Heritage Sites. GSI has declared Pillo Lava at Nomira in Keonjhar district as a Geo Heritage Site.
Pillow Lava is an exposure of well-preserved pillow structures where each pillow are roughly ellipsoidal and closely packed.
It is believed that Nomira Pillow lava erupted 2.8 billion years ago when the area was covered by oceans.
Bhubaneswar: In a significant ruling concerning government land near the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple, the…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has set an ambitious target of becoming a $500 billion economy by 2036…
Bhubaneswar: The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 opened in Bhubaneswar on…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Water Resources Department has stepped up its preparedness for potential cyclone-related situations,…
Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has achieved its October 2026 scrap sale target of ₹17…
New Delhi: Odisha is showcasing its rich rice heritage at the Bharat International Rice Conference…
