Observations on the Geomorphology of Goa

The area studied represents the coastal tract along the West Coast of Peninsular India. Remnants of planar surfaces showing deep lateritic weathering profiles are common in the northern part of Goa. The southern part, however, presents a rugged topography with hills ranging in altitude up to 600 m, especially near the coast. It is surmised that the present coast emerged during late Neogene and presumably before the onset of Pleistocene glaciation. Remnants of the emerged marine denudational surfaces are noticed at altitudes of 160m, inland near the ghats and at 60m along the coast. In general, most of the remnants are at 120 m above the present mean sea level. From the accordance of summit heights of hills and inselbergs rising above the remnants of planar surfaces, trace of the older erosional surface appears at 300 m above the mean sea level. This surface may be assigned to Mio-Pliocene. The remnants of the late Pliocene planar surface is marked by valley benches and terraces that are probably the result of oscillations of the sea level during Pleistocene. It is difficult to assess their specific relationship with the interglacials of the Quaternary period.