Geomorphic Processes in the Formation of (Red) Sands at Bhimilipatnam, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

The (red) sands at Bhimili with an areal spread of about 7 km² and a height of 90 m above M.S.L. adjoining the beach (sea) has a dome like form. Within this, a typical badland topography has been formed. Three horizons of red, white to brownish and white to yellowish sand occur beneath white sand at the top, The red sands are fine-grained. White to brownish sands are coarse and show partially cemented parallel laminations. White to yellowish sands at the bottom, are coarse and pebbly, and stone lines within them occur inclined towards the sea, with small pebbles to boulders at different heights above M.S.L. and at different distances from the sea. A part of the bed of a major stream in the badland is a uniform wave-cut rocky platform, at a height of 7 m above M.S.L.

The height (7 m) of the rocky platform confirms that the sea level was possibly higher. It is inferred that the white to yellowish sand horizon may be a beach deposit, the white to brownish sands to be coalesced dune deposits and the red sand to be of aeolian nature. Statistical values substantiate mixed populations in the dune environment.