Renowned Geologist and Guinness World Record Holder Discovers Significant Fossils in Burtse, Ladakh
Renowned Geologist and Guinness World Record Holder Discovers Significant Fossils in Burtse, Ladakh
Ladakh: Dr. Ritesh Arya, a distinguished geologist, Guinness World Record holder, and founder of the Tethys Fossil Museum, has made a groundbreaking discovery while conducting groundwater exploration in the rugged terrain of Burtse, situated in the picturesque eastern part of Ladakh region. This location holds historical significance as a renowned spot along the Old Silk Route in the Karakorm range.
His findings shed light on the geological history of the area and provide valuable insights into the ancient paleo environment.During his expeditions, Dr. Arya unearthed an impressive collection of marine fossils,
including gastropods (snail-like mollusks), bivalves (shellfish), and foraminifera (mostly microscopic organisms but here they are upto 2cms ). The gastropods and bivalves serve as crucial biostratigraphic markers, while the foraminifera fossils act as age indicators, enabling the dating of these remarkable remnants of the past.
These exceptionally well-preserved fossils, which indicate a thriving marine environment at the time of deposition, are likely the first reported findings from this formation located at an altitude of 16,000 feet above mean sea level. Their presence at such heights highlights the immense tectonic forces that lifted these sediments from a near-coastal marine environment to these extraordinary elevations. The intricate folding and faulting of the region provide a glimpse into the magnitude of the geological forces that uplifted the diverse marine life that flourished millions of years ago, raising them from ocean depths to the heights where they are preserved today. Notably, during this time, the massive Ladakh batholith, which currently separates the two formations—Subathu at around 2000 meters in Himachal Pradesh and Burtse at approximately 5000 meters in the eastern part of Ladakh—remained within the womb of Mother Earth and had not yet emerged.
The limestone formations found north of the Shyok suture or Shyok granite region showcase an extraordinary fossiliferous nature, boasting an astounding abundance of fossils. Dr. Arya’s discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of the region’s geology.
Preliminary investigations suggest that these fossils morphologically resemble those of Turritellatids (gastropod) and Assilina (foraminifera), similar to fossils found in the Subathu Formation in Himachal Pradesh. These have been dated to the Eocene epoch, approximately around 56 to 33.9 million years ago. These ancient remnants also provide clear evidence of the existence of the Tethys Sea at that time—an intriguing revelation that connects India and Tibet through the waves of Tethys,
showcasing a unique paleoenvironmental connection.
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