Scientists reveal the secret of the mysterious Adam's Bridge between India and Sri Lanka
Satellite images show a narrow line connecting India and Sri Lanka. This is Adam's Bridge, also known as the Ram's Bridge or Ram Sethu (राम सेतु), a long chain of limestone formations stretching 48 km across the Indian Ocean.
According to journalist and writer Kaif Sheikh, Adam's Bridge has attracted the attention of researchers due to its geological, historical, and mythological significance. Next, we will consider its historical aspects, legends and geological layers that created this unusual shape. Interesting Engineering writes about it.
Adam's Bridge, which connects the island of Rameswaram in India with the island of Mannar in Sri Lanka, is of great archaeological importance. In the 15th century, this bridge was passable, but natural changes gradually made it impassable. Geological studies by the Geological Survey of India indicate that this area was formed between 7,000 and 18,000 years ago. Thanks to the corals that grew on the sandy foundations, the bridge became clearly visible.
Erosion processes separated India from Sri Lanka, forming the Strait of Polk. The river sediments of the Kaveri, along with coastal currents, helped to form a series of islands and sandbanks that are now known as Adam's Bridge.
Some believe that the bridge appeared due to the natural accumulation of sand, while others suggest that it is the remnants of an ancient coastline that used to unite India and Sri Lanka.
The idea of creating a canal between the southern coast of India and the north of Sri Lanka originated in 1782 thanks to the English oceanographer James Rennell. In 1955, the Setsusamudram Canal project was proposed, which would shorten the sea route by 400 km and save up to 36 hours of travel time.
The project, approved by the Indian government in 2005, involved deepening the seabed. However, environmentalists warned that this could destroy coral reefs and disrupt the local ecosystem. There were also fears that the dredging would lead to the release of radioactive substances such as thorium, increasing environmental risks to the region.
The project has also sparked cultural opposition, as the Ram Sethu is sacred to many Hindus who believe that the god Rama built the path. In 2013, the Supreme Court of India suspended the project due to its cultural and environmental significance.
Adam's Bridge, or Ram Setu, is not only a geological structure but also an important cultural symbol. According to a legend from the epic Ramayana, it is a path built by an army of great apes to create a passage to Sri Lanka to save the city. The stones, according to myth, floated because of the name of Rama inscribed on them.
In the Muslim tradition, this bridge is also mentioned as Adam's path after his expulsion from paradise.
Regardless of its origin, Adam's Bridge is striking in its uniqueness and combines the cultures and histories of many generations.
As a reminder, archaeologists have found a square dating back to the era of Ancient Rome in Spain.
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