Thread by @rajbhagatt

#Thread:

Since many had asked this, Writing a short thread on the formation between India and Sri Lanka

Usually many get deceived by "static" satellite images and believe that the Tombolo section as permanent relics of a man made bridge.

Deeper ocean currents don't enter the section between Sri Lanka and India because of the Cont Shelf. The sea surface in this section is dominated by longshore currents in two directions - one from Gulf of Mannar and other from Palk strait and they are in opposite directions

Longshore currents bring a lot of sediments. And at the meeting point of the currents they settle and form these islands. Notice in the satellite images below how these islands change a lot owing to current direction, tides, etc. This is just a short term timelapse (<4 years)

The sediment deposition is a gradual process and has been happening over long time. In the last 30 years, we can notice the changes in the Pamban Island near Dhanushkodi where the islands in deeper section had been volatile whereas sand closer to Pamban have been consolidating

The sediment accretion and erosion is not limited to the section between Rameshwaram and Mannar, deposition has been happening close to the group of islands between Thoothukudi and Mandapam. There is also a spit formation in Kodikarai which has formed Muthupet salt marshes

In the past sediment accretion has led to new beach formations and has led to depression formations which are now dominated by salt pans across the east coast.

What these tell is that these formations are caused by the sea n are not manmade. The desc/location of bridge as mentioned in epics don't match this either

The future of this Tombolo is dependent on Sea level, Currents etc. It might either consolidate in future or might be lost!

Truncated the contents due to time limitations :)

Here's a snapshot of a question answered in Rajya Sabha on this.
Geological Survey of India (GSI) could not find any evidence for a man-made structure. Anyone who is opposing GSI and favouring foreign "Science" Channel can be declared as Anti-Nationals :)