Evolution of the Western Ghats, India- A Simple Model

The nature of origin of Western Ghats is being debated for several decades. In the light of modern developments in the field of earth sciences, this paper postulates that the western margin of India originated due to a combination of the following factors:

a) Crustal doming and rifting which preceded the drifting of the Indian subcontinent, resulting in an initial escarpment along the western margin of India.

b) Recession of the Ghats to the east due to marine erosion;

c) Withdrawal of the sea during the glacial period exposing part of the continental shelf as a coastal plain.

d) Development of westerly drainage.

e) Fluvial erosion of western ghats and coastal plain, and

f) Gradual post glacial rise in sea level resulting in drowned valleys, estuaries and lagoons.

This model is substantiated by a few evidences and offers a satisfactory explanation for the controversy concerning the origin of western ghats.