Why in the news?
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), one of the oldest scientific organizations in the country, is celebrating its 175th Foundation Day.
About Geological Survey of India (GSI)
- It was conceived as "Geological Survey of India" by John McClelland who initiated the appointment of David Hiraw Williams as the Geological Surveyor on February 5, 1846 by the East India Company.
- However, the appointment of Thomas Oldham as the new Geological Surveyor in 1851 marked the beginning of the functioning of the GSI.
- Second oldest survey body in India after Survey of India (founded in 1767).
- First Indian Head: Dr. M. S. Krishnan.
- Initially established to locate coal deposits for the Railways, the GSI has evolved into a premier institution with international recognition, serving as a comprehensive repository of geoscience data.
- Headquarters: Kolkata.
- Six Regional offices at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata.
- Nodal Ministry: Attached office to the Ministry of Mines.
Functions of GSI
- Its core functions include the creation and regular updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
- It carries out all activities under five Missions
- Mission-I (Ground, Aerial and Marine Surveys),
- Mission-II (Natural Resource Assessments & Augmentation of Minerals, Coal & Lignite),
- Mission-III (Information and dissemination),
- Mission- IV (Fundamental and Multi-disciplinary Geoscience Research) and
- Mission-V (Training and Capacity Building).
Achievements of GSI
- Baseline Geoscience Data Generation: Published India's first geological map in 1877.
- Initiated the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) to consolidate national geoscience data.
- Launched major national surveys: Systematic Geological Mapping (SGM), National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM), etc.
- Natural Resource Assessment: Undertaking around 448 mineral exploration projects during 2024-25, including several projects on critical and strategic minerals like Rare Earth Elements, Lithium, potash, tungsten, graphite etc.
- Geoinformatics: Operates multiple GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) stations, across the country for tectonic studies and research.
- Developed Bhukosh, a Geospatial portal, to disseminate multi-thematic geoscientific information freely.
- Geoscience & Disaster Management
- Seismic/Earthquake Geology: In 1899, Richard Dixon Oldham of GSI studied the Great Assam Earthquake (1897) and identified three distinct types of seismic waves—significantly advancing understanding of Earth's interior.
- GSI runs the Seismo-Geodetic Real Time Data Processing Centre (SGRDPC) to monitor and process seismic data for earthquake parameter analysis.
- Landslide Hazard Studies: Designated as the Nodal Agency for landslide investigations in India.
- Through the LANDSLIP project, GSI developed a prototype Early Warning System (EWS) for rainfall-induced landslides.
- Antarctic Studies: Conducts Antarctic Studies under Antarctic studies programme; Mapped the Gjelsvikfjella region using the Norwegian station TROLL as base, and monitors recessional pattern of Dakshin-Gangotri Glacier annually.
- Seismic/Earthquake Geology: In 1899, Richard Dixon Oldham of GSI studied the Great Assam Earthquake (1897) and identified three distinct types of seismic waves—significantly advancing understanding of Earth's interior.
- Others: Declares geo-heritage sites and national geological monuments (e.g., National Fossil Wood Park, Sattanur, Tamil Nadu).
- Recently participated in the Future Mineral Forum 2024 (Saudi Arabia) and the 37th International Geological Congress (Korea).