The rock formations eerily jutting out into the water along the Vizag coast have a history hidden beneath their surface. A recent project taken up by the Department of Geophysics, Andhra University, aims to throw light on the geological history and assess the depth of the rock formations at the beach stretch up till Bheemunipatnam. The department has procured the latest equipment called Ground Penetrating Radar from the US that measures the depth below the structure up to 40 metres beneath the earth's surface.
“The plan is to conduct researches across the coast and make a detailed study of the rock formations. This would gauge the shallowness or depth of the structures,” P. Rama Rao of Department of Geophysics, AU told The Hindu.
The project would ascertain the geological past of the region.
This is the first time that such a study is being conducted to study the rock formations of the region.
Many of these structures are found along the coast, near the Thotlakonda Buddhist structures and at the Tenneti Park beach. The structures are said to be the effects of powerful wave action. Some of the these rock formations had resurfaced on the beach after the sea receded along certain points. The rocks are also believed to be death traps for many unsuspecting visitors venturing into the sea in the Vizag coast.
At some places, waves funnel through the structures to create spectacular vertical sprays. Similar structures have also been spotted at Tirumala and are believed to be over 1,000 million years old.