Report on the Inauguration of the Western India Centre of the Geological Society of India at Pune, Maharashtra

The western India Centre of the Geological Society of India was formally inaugurated on the 10th March, 2017 in a function held at the Department of Environmental Science, Savithribhai Phule Pune University (SPPU), and Pune. The function was organised so as to coincide with special invited guest lecturers from Prof. Jere Lipps, University of California, Berkeley and Prof. Ezz El Din Abdel Hakim Khalaf from the University of Cairo, Egypt.

Prof. Nitin Karmalkar of the Environmental Science Department, welcomed the distinguished guest geologists from USA and Egypt and others that included the Staff and students of the Department of Geology and Environmental Science including Prof. A.G. Desai, Council Member, Geological Society of India, Prof. N.J. Pawar, Ex Vice Chancellor, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Dr. V. G. Phansalkar besides faculty members from Agarkar Research Institute, faculty and students from IISER,Pune, Officers from the Geological Survey of India and a few faculty members of Fergusson and Deccan College, Pune besides some Fellows of the Society.

Dr.P.Krishnamurthy, Council member of the Society, gave an overview of the history of the Geological Society since its founding on 28th May, 1958 at Bangalore. This historical event was a sequel to coming together of six individuals who had often informally met over coffee and discussed about the advancement of geology in India besides other topics of the day. They included Prof. L. Rama Rao and Prof. M. R. Srinivas Rao from the Central College, Bangalore , Dr. C.Pichamuthu and Dr.B.P.Radhakrishna, and T.P.Krishnachar from the Mysore Geology Department (MGD) and P. S. Narayana, a mine owner. The Society was formally Inaugurated on 23 January, 1958 at New Delhi by K. D. Malaviya, the then Minister of Mines and Oil, Govt. of India. D. N. Wadia, the then Geological Advisor to the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, became the first President of the Society. Prof. L. Rama Rao, Principal and Professor of Geology, Central College, - Bengaluru became its first Editor and Dr. B. P. Radhkrishna as its first Secretary. Krishnamurthy drew parallel between Pune and Bangalore in that the oldest educational institutions of these two cities, such as the Central College, established at Bangalore in 1886 and the Ferguson College, founded in 1885 at Pune by Tilak, Ghokale and others of the Deccan Education Society, played a key role in providing men and women of eminence who were instrumental in founding of the many Societies and Institutions in these two cities. The IISC, Indian Academy of Sciences, Raman Research Institute and others in Bangalore and the Bhandarkar Institute of Oriental Research, Agarkar Research Institute, National Chemical Laboratory, IUCCA in Pune besides others in both the cities.

The main objective of the Society was ‘advancement of study and research in all branches of Geology connected with India’. This objective was envisioned through several activities such as cooperation with existing academies and Societies with similar objectives, organising meetings and seminars and above all the publication of a journal besides monographs, memoirs, special publications.

Publication activities of the Society began with an annual bulletin and by1964 it became a quarterly issue, and by 1977 the Journal became a monthly issue. The stellar role of B.P.Radhakrishna, popularly known as BPR in nurturing the Society’s activities, especially the Society’s peer-reviewed journal’s punctuality and standards, that it is despatched to all the Fellows and all libraries on the last day of every month without fail for the past 41 years without any break. This is a unique and no mean achievement in the Indian or world scenario. Such a feat prompted the world renowned publishers Springer for a tie-up with the Society since 2010. BPR served the Society for over 51 years, perhaps a world record. His editorial write-ups every month would cover a wide spectrum of topics relevant to the advancement of Earth Science and also topics that concern the Society at large. All his editorial gems have been collectively published by the Society as ‘Random Harvests’ in two volumes. He was Secretary for 16 years (1958-73), Editor for 20 years (1973-92) and as President for 15 years (1992-2006).

It is worth recalling that the Society for its first 25 years of its existence had neither an office nor any clerical staff for assistance and BPR was managing the activities. It was during mid 1980s that BPR was impressed upon by the late Dr. K. R. Gupta of DST to take some assistance from the Government for printing the Journal and other publications besides establishing an office. In order to convince BPR, K. R. Gupta cited the famous Sir C. V.Raman’s advice and guidelines for funding scientific Society’s in India to Pundit Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. According to Raman, support should be given only to those Society’s which have existed on their own funds for 20 years or so and proved their existence and purpose. Thus Government funding and some Corporate assistance came in during the late 1980s. The Society thus acquired its own premises (four flats out of six within a three storey building) in the heart of Bangalore during the 1980s.

Padma Shri Dr. Harsh Gupta, our current President is a very renowned Geophysicist, both nationally and internationally and has pioneered researches in reservoir induced seismicity with several publications and books to his credit. He was formerly VC, Cochin University, Director of NGRI, Hyderabad and NCESS, Thiruvananthapuram, Secretary, Department of Ocean Development (DOD) and a leader of the Indian Antarctic expedition that established India’s permanent station Dakshin Gangotri. He had won numerous national and international awards for his contributions. He is currently involved in a major national programme under Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), Govt.of India, of deep drilling in the down-stream direction of the Koyna reservoir so as to elucidate further our understanding of the reservoir induced -seismicity, its prediction and mitigation. Besides the President, the Society’s activities are also guided by four Vice-Presidents, two Secretaries and a Council of 16 members comprising distinguished earth scientists of India, elected once in three years by the Fellows of the Society. (For details see the Society’s website : www.geosocindia.org.

In addition to the monthly journal, the Society had published over 80 memoirs on various topics on Indian Geology. It has also published the text book on ‘Geology of India’ and ‘Geology and Mineral Resources ‘of almost all states of the Indian Union besides numerous other books including popular books used during outreach-programmes such as Earth Day, Environment Day and others (see the Society’s website: www.geosocindia.org/ for more details). The Society celebrated its Golden Jubilee during 2007-2008 with Seminars that were held in all leading Earth Science Institutions of India, diverse aspects of Indian Geology, the proceedings of which have been published as Golden Jubilee Memoirs of the Society. The Society also printed and published ‘Episodes’ on behalf of the IUGS from 2010-2016 including the special issue of the IGC held at Australia in 2012.

The Society has conducted or has been associated with innumerable National Seminars and Workshops on Earth Science and resources including ground water since 1958. The 10th International Kimberlite Conference in 2012, held at Bangalore had been a land mark event.

The Society has also instituted numerous awards to recognise eminent earth scientists in different disciplines. It also conducts endowment lectures to commemorate the services of eminent earth scientists in India. There are numerous outreach programmes conducted by the Society. These include the Earth Day, celebrated every year on 22ndApril. Currently it is also conducting the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) on behalf of the Ministry of Earth Science, Government of India to encourage earth science education at school levels.

The objective opening the Western India Centre is two fold. One is to extend the Society’s activities so as to have a larger outreach. Secondly, the Centre plans to initiate action on: (a). Preparation of Field Guides and organising field trip and excursions to the thick Deccan basalt sections in the Western Ghat so as to familiarise the different formations of the Deccan Basalt Group. (b). Geoturism aspects on the Forts of western Maharashtra and (c). To commemorate the services of eminent Earth Scientists from Western India such as V. R. Khedkar, Dr. G. R. Udas and A.V. Phadke (GSI/AMD: uranium and rare-earth and rare metal resources of India), Prof. Chiplonkar, Prof. K.P. Rode, Prof. R. N. Sukheswala, Prof. K. B. Powar and others (earth science education), G. G. Dhespande, A.G. Dessai and others (Geology and Mineral resources) and others.

Prof. Nitin Karmalkar then formally introduced Prof. Jere H. Lipps to the audience. Prof. Jere is currently Professor and Curator, Integrative Biology and Museum of Palaeontology, University of California, Berkeley, USA. and also requested him to formally declare the Western India Centre of the Geological Society of India.

Thanking Prof.Nitin Karmalkar, Deptt. of Environmental Science SPPU and the Society for the opportunity, Prof. Jere Lipps formally declared open the Western India Centre of the Society using a computer controlled screen.

1. Prof. Jere Lipps of UC Berkeley gave two lectures, namely: 1. On Extra Terrestrial life, and 2. Extinction events and Radiation in Life in Earth’s History

2. Prof.EzzKhalaf of Cairo University spoke on Geo-Parks of Egypt.

In his first lecture on ‘Extra-terrestrial Life, Prof. Jere highlighted that all ingredients that are required for life exists in both the Universe and Solar system. However, numerous factors converged for life to begin on the Figure 1. Inauguration of the Western India Centre by Earth (at c.3500 billion years ago) and Prof. Lipps proliferated from unicellular organisms to early humans (4 million years ago) on the Earth. First and foremost is the size of the star (sun in our case which is medium-sized),the optimal distance from the parent star so as to have water in all the three states (liquid, solid and vapour phase) and the right size and mass to retain an atmosphere that evolved from CO2-rich in the early stages to what is prevalent now with 77% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and >1% Ar, largely as a result of photosynthesis which increased the oxygen content and reduced the CO2 to trace levels. There are over 2000 exoplanets within the Universe where there are possibilities of Earth-like life forms but the limitations at present is how to reach them. Thus our quest for life has to be limited to the Solar system, especially the inner planets and the moons of the outer planets where presence of flowing water in the past had been indicated by their surface features or the presence of ice in their polar regions.

According to Prof. Jere, NASA’s slogan and strategies for solar system missions and probes, has been for seeking life in other inner planets (Venus and mars) and in the satellites of Jupiter (Europa, Ganymede, and Callesto ) and Saturn, which are akin to inner planets, is to ’follow water’ based on its morphological relicts and seek ancient life forms in them. The Viking probes of Mars in the 1970s indicated the canyon-like feature on the surface of Mars besides other features such as collapse structures, run-off features and boulders indicating the possible flow of water (fluvio-lacustrine environments) that prevailed about 3 billion years ago. Mars rovers Curiosity (2012) at Burnt Cliff has indicated the presence of groundwater from drill holes. At Gale crater, both Curiosity and Opportunity (2004) indicated the presence of water from features such as graded bedding, collapse structures and run off. At present Venus and Mars with over 95% CO2 represent super green house scenario, opined Prof. Jere.

In his second lecture, Prof Jere spoke on the ‘Extinction and Radiation in the History of Life’. Jere opined that unlike global warming which leads to extinction, global cooling causes contraction i.e. restriction of habitat. He also discounted ‘impacts’ (by comets or giant meteorites) as a possible primary cause of extinction. They induce sudden global warming as alleged in the case the Deccan volcanic eruptions during the K-T boundary that resulted in emissions of large quantities of H2S, CO2 and ash. Increase of CO2 emissions has been attributed to the impact in sites with carbonate-bank. Global warming leads to physiological disruptions of photosynthesis, as for example the case of corals and also severe loss to the habitat as in the case of dinosaur nesting sites. In the case of corals, excessive acidification of the ocean, as a sequel to enormous emissions of H2S and others and thus corals get bleached. It is still not certain as to what causes the ‘symbions’ to leave the coral, whether the acidification of the oceans or any other factors, Jere opined. He showed that there is good positive correlation between flood basalt volcanism and the earth’s extinction events. Apart from global warming due to CO2, methane has been shown to be 21-70% more effective in global warming than due to CO2.

According to Jere, the fossil record indicates about 25 extinction events of smaller magnitude have been recognised in the earth’s biological history besides the 6 major mass extinction events (with > 50% of the species becoming extinct) that occurred at c. 540, 443, 339, 252, 208 and 66 million years. Molecular biology had to be used to evaluate the extinction events, Prof. Jere opined. The edicaran extinction is also a unique one in that; it occurred after 55 million years, followed by Cambrian explosion of life. Prof. Jere suggested that ‘radiation ‘is the most appropriate word for the sudden surge of new life forms rather than ‘explosion of life’ since multiple types of organisms proliferated independently rather than a single species.

Extinction events during Ice ages, as in the case the Pleistocene, when sea level has been shown to drop up to 150 m, and led to the destruction of ecosystems. As a result, habitats became very restricted. Large mammals like the woolly mammoth and related fauna became extinct during this time as per Prof. Jere.

Important effects of global warming that initiate extinction events include drought, forest fires, flooding, range truncation, migration, ocean homogeneity with un-oxidization and acidification. Recovery and radiation takes place, often spread over several million years, with proliferation of new species and environmental heterogeneity. Process of selection operates with development of new morpho-types.

Prof. Jere in conclusion, dealt with the rise of CO2 levels in the atmosphere based on CO2- bubble inclusions from ice cores of Antarctica and other places. From about 310 ppm of CO2 in 1960 we have now reached the present value of about 410 ppm, clearly indicating the effect of CO2 emissions by anthropogenic activity. He also showed that natural phenomena such as the active volcano of Mauna Loa do not contribute much to the global warming by CO2 emissions. Thus Jere opined that if these CO2 emissions continue unabated, we would reach levels that were present during the Cretaceous, i.e. about 580 ppm and move towards an extinction epoch. He sighted evidences of large scale melting Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets leading to sea level rises and feared that many beautiful beaches of the world, as those of Southern California with million dollar homes would be gone forever besides millions of square kilometres of coastal areas around the world. Several interesting questions came up during discussions. These included the role of adoptions in evolution as indicated by the species ‘lingual’ which has survived from Cambrian to the Present. (Humans, being the most intelligent among the species may find new ways to survive!) . It was pointed out that sea-level changes are also influenced by tectonics and not necessarily due to melting of ice sheets due to global warming and the small percentage of fossil record (about 12% of the species only).

Dr. Raymond introduced the Guest speaker Prof. EzzKhalaf, Professor of Volcanology from Egypt. In his lecture ‘Natural Geo-bio Heritages in Egypt: pages of Earth history in an outstanding landscape’, Prof. Khalaf dealt with the rich heritage of Egyptian history from the times of the Pharoes and highlighted the Geoparks protected by UNESCO in three areas, namely Western desert, Sinai and Eastern desert. The Fay am basin has numerous Pre-historic fauna such as the Fay am elephant, whale, wolf, turtle and fish. In the Al Farrar area, in the sediments there are fossil wood and roots of mangrove. In the Red sea-Gulf of Aquba area, the St. Katherine monastery is situated and attracts a large number of pilgrims. This monastery belongs to 4th century and is built on granite bodies. The RasMuhammad National Park is rich in bio-diversity. In the Red sea Mountain, Pan African glaciations effects can be seen in the monzonite porphyries.

The function ended with presentation of mementoes to Prof. Jere and Prof. Khalaf by Krishnamurthy and Karmalkar respectively. Prof. Karmalkar thanked all the participants and the guests for delivering such interesting and informative lectures. A short visit to private zeolite museum of M.F. Makki was organized by Dr. Ajit Vartak. The Guest Speakers were also shown around critical Bushe-Poladpur lava flow sections near Chandani Chowk by Dr. Duraiswami.

Dr. P. Krishnamurthy, Prof. Nitin Karmalkar & Dr. Raymond Duraiswami Figure 2. Dr. P. Krishnamurthy presenting a memento to Prof. Lipps

Figure 3. Prof. Karmalkar presenting a memento to Prof. Khalaf. Figure 4. A View of the Audience.

Figure 5. Visit to M.F. Makki Zeolite Museum. Figure 6. Visit to Bushe-Poladpur lava flow sections near Chandani Chowk along with Dr. Duraiswami.