Deccan Traps, Large igneous province in Maharashtra, India
The Deccan Traps extend across 500,000 square kilometers (193,000 square miles) of western India and consist of multiple layers of basalt rock that form stepped terrain patterns. The solidified lava flows lie stacked on top of each other and reach thicknesses exceeding 2000 meters (6500 feet) in some places, with individual flows running horizontally as they cooled.
This formation occurred through volcanic eruptions between 66.3 and 65.6 million years ago, during the period when dinosaurs disappeared from Earth. The eruption lasted roughly one million years and changed global climate through the release of gases.
The basalt formations house ancient Buddhist caves, including important archaeological sites that showcase religious art and architectural developments from 200 BCE.
Visitors can reach geological observation points near Mahabaleshwar, where the layered basalt formations display clear patterns in the rock face. The spots work best during the dry season, when access paths remain clear and views of the rock layers stay good.
The volcanic province contains enough basalt to cover 512,000 cubic kilometers (123,000 cubic miles), making it one of the largest preserved flood basalt formations on Earth. Some scientists believe these eruptions, together with an asteroid impact, may have accelerated the end of the dinosaurs.
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