The Indian desert also known as Marusthali is believed to be under the sea during which one of the following eras?
Mesozoic era
Understanding the Indian Desert's Past: Marusthali Under the Sea
The question asks about the geological era when the Indian desert, known as Marusthali, is believed to have been submerged under the sea. This relates to the fascinating geological history of the Indian subcontinent and the ancient Tethys Sea.
What is the Marusthali?
Marusthali is the core region of the Thar Desert, located in Rajasthan, India. It's a vast arid and semi-arid area. However, geological evidence suggests that its environment was drastically different in the distant past.
Geological Eras and the Tethys Sea
Earth's history is divided into major time periods called eras. The Indian subcontinent has undergone significant changes throughout these eras, including drifting across the globe and interacting with large water bodies like the Tethys Sea. The presence of marine fossils and sedimentary rock layers in the Thar desert region indicates a past connection with a sea.
Let's look at the options and the geological context of each era:
- Cenozoic era: This is the current era, starting after the extinction of the dinosaurs (about 66 million years ago). It's known as the "Age of Mammals". By this time, the Indian subcontinent was colliding with Asia, and the Tethys Sea was closing up, leading to the formation of the Himalayas. It is unlikely that a large part of what is now the desert was under the sea during this entire era.
- Palaeozoic era: This era spanned roughly 541 to 252 million years ago. It saw the evolution of early life forms, including marine invertebrates, fish, and the colonization of land. While parts of the supercontinent Gondwana (of which India was a part) were covered by shallow seas during the Palaeozoic, the most significant period of marine transgression over the region now constituting the Thar desert linked to the Tethys Sea is associated with a later era.
- Mesozoic era: This era, from about 252 to 66 million years ago, is known as the "Age of Reptiles" (including dinosaurs). During the Mesozoic, specifically the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods within this era, the Tethys Sea was a vast ocean separating the supercontinents of Laurasia and Gondwana. The northern part of the Indian subcontinent, including areas that are now part of the Thar Desert, was located along the southern margin of the Tethys Sea. Geological evidence, such as marine fossils and sediments found in the region, strongly supports the idea that significant portions were under the Tethys Sea during the Mesozoic era.
- Archaean and Pre-Cambrian era: These are the oldest eras in Earth's history, covering the time from the formation of the Earth up to about 541 million years ago. While oceans existed and early life evolved, the specific geological configuration involving the Tethys Sea and the positioning of the Indian landmass relative to it in a way that would submerge the future desert region occurred much later, primarily during the Mesozoic era.
Why the Mesozoic Era?
Based on geological studies and the presence of marine evidence, the period when a significant part of the region now occupied by the Marusthali was under the sea is primarily associated with the Tethys Sea during the Mesozoic era. As Gondwana began to break apart, the northern edge of the Indian plate lay submerged under the Tethys waters for millions of years, accumulating marine sediments.
Therefore, the Indian desert or Marusthali is believed to have been under the sea during the Mesozoic era.
Revision Table: Geological Eras
| Geological Era | Approximate Time Span (Millions of Years Ago) | Key Characteristics | Relevance to Indian Desert Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archaean and Pre-Cambrian | ~4600 - 541 | Formation of Earth, early life, formation of stable continents | Very ancient past, formation of underlying crust, but not the period of Tethys sea transgression over future desert area. |
| Palaeozoic | 541 - 252 | Evolution of diverse life forms, Pangea forms | Some areas submerged, but the main Tethys Sea connection relevant to the desert area happened later. |
| Mesozoic | 252 - 66 | Age of dinosaurs, Pangea breaks up, Tethys Sea prominent | Significant part of the region was under the Tethys Sea during this era. |
| Cenozoic | 66 - Present | Age of mammals, India collides with Asia, Himalayas form | Tethys Sea closes, region becomes land. Desert conditions develop much later. |
Additional Information on Marusthali and Tethys Sea
The presence of marine fossils, including shells and fish remains, in rock formations within the Thar Desert region provides concrete evidence of its past marine environment. These fossils are often found in sedimentary layers deposited on the seafloor millions of years ago. The geological formations in places like Jaisalmer confirm the marine influence from the Tethys Sea during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of the Mesozoic era.
The Tethys Sea eventually closed as the Indian plate moved north and collided with the Eurasian plate, a process that continues today and results in the uplift of the Himalayas. The remnants of the Tethys Sea floor were pushed up and folded, contributing to the geology of the region, far from its current arid state.
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