The Mullaperiyar Dam Controversey

“The plate tectonics revolution of the 20th century elegantly explained why most earthquakes occur where they do – at Earth's plate boundaries. It didn't explain, however, the occurrence of intraplate quakes and the deformation processes that give rise to them. As a result, geologists studying areas like the central U.S., western Europe, and Australia, don't know what causes these quakes, how often they will happen in the future, and how dangerous they are.”(2007 GSA Press release)

The NGRI (under the leadership of Dr. Malaimani) has set up GPS stations in the Antartic India station, in the MS Univ., Tirunelveli (2010), in the NGRI and at a host of sites in the Himalayan front to monitor the Indian plate’s NEly motion. She says the rate is like 3.2 cm/yr. It is a sizable amount. This NEly motion can cause or trigger tremors in Mullaperiyar-Idukki and latest in the Indian ocean 400 km south of T'puram. I may consider these tremors worthwhile as it prevents huge stress build up and hence prevents a disastrous one.

Very large intraplate EQ can cause heavy damage, particularly because such areas are not accustomed to earthquakes and buildings are usually not seismically retrofitted, e.g. Bhuj EQ of 2001, the 1811-12 EQs of New Madrid, Missouri and1886 EQ of Charleston, S.Carolina.

Intraplate EQs occur away from plate boundaries and in the interior of plates and especially along the faults in the stable interior. There is a opinion that such quakes are along ancient failed rifts. Such breaks can easily accommodate the regional tectonic strain by causing tremors and adjustments. It is difficult quantify the damages of such intraplate events while with interplate quakes quantification and modeling are easier.

Ancient faults (now discernible as lineaments/deep crustal fractures in sat imageries) are the loci of EQ events. In Kerala the Edamalayar lineament (trend NNW-SSE) measurable in a few hundred kilometers is a geologically older major fault. The lineaments of Kerala fall into three or four major sets. The Mullaperiyar-Idukki tract in the SWG is one where we notice numerous lineaments - practically a sample or microcosm of all the lineament orientations- in Kerala crust. Lineaments occur to the north and south of this tract but micro-seismic activity is practically unreported from all such areas.  

I am proposing a “shallow” magma chamber placed below the crust in the Mullaperiyar-Idukki area and the tremors are triggered by the partially of partly molten basement. Only this model could explain the local yet rather frequent tremors. At present my mind tells me that

1.    Even prior to the dams in the area there had been frequent intraplate earth quakes in this tract.

2.    It may take a deep crustal study to map the size extent or in fact the presence of this feature.

3.    Even all mighty god will not help Keralites to get a >4.0 mag EQ to strike the terrain there.

4.    We may convince politically the Keralites but not the Indians on the EQ thing.

5.    Finally absolutely no one anywhere in the world even remotely thinks of the Dam surviving a >6 mag EQ anywhere in t he world.   

6.    I am stunned to notice the Geoscience Professionals/community outside of CESS keeping their fingers crossed and mouths shut in respect of the “impending” failure of the dam at Mullaperiyar.

7.    If the “cracked base” of the dam as featured in TV graphics were true, I am sure that the structure would have failed right after the first tremor (out of the 26 after  July this year), the reservoir would have become part of history.

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Dept of Geology, GOSAN, Thrivikramji, Geology Department alumni

“GOSAN IS BORN”

The time frame under reference is 2000. GOSAN, an alumni association of graduates of the DoG (Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus 695 581), is in fact the first of its kind to have come into being in the university of Kerala (UoK), when only informal deliberations and discussions were in the air, and especially in the office of VC Dr Ekbal. Seeking, earning and accruing monetary contributions from former graduates (who have prospered in life and career) was a moot point.

  

When I morphed into the HoD’s chair, in the DoG of the UoK (in July 2000), my colleague, Roy Chacko had raised an important point, regarding installation of an intercom system in the DoG, despite the fact that Department has been around for more than 40 yr. (The DoG came into being or let us say was born when Prof. KK Menon took over as Reader-in-Charge – perhaps in the month of June 1963). Such a system was not even considered in the DoG or even by the administration. For the question of funds for the project, Roy’s suggestion was approaching the willing donors among the former graduates of DoG.  

In fact Roy had informal exchanges in this regard with DSC Thampi (CGWB) and other cohorts. A list of all the graduates right from the class of 1965 (the first batch) were collated with the whereabouts etc. Some formal and informal meetings were held along side. Finally, a meeting of the professionals and academics in T’puram was held in the DoG and an executive committee was elected and put in place at that meeting.

Thrivikramji was thus the founder president and VP was Dr. MM Nair of GSI, Trivandrum. The other names really do not pop in my mental screen quickly. Jaikiran was the treasurer; but indeed unsure of the name of secretary or the detailed list of names of the committee members. The EC quickly swung into action and decided to have the alumni association inaugurated at the earliest. MP Muraleedharan (GSI) came up with the logo, while name GOSAN, sort of an acronym was proposed by MM Nair, and the EC accepted both with cheers. 

The inaugural ceremony was held (sometime during 2001) with much pomp and fanfare in the Botany Department Hall at Kariavttom and the chief guest and inaugural speaker was Dr.Ekbal, the then VC. The retired teachers of the DoG were formally re-recognized by decorating them (in the Kerala style of course) with a Kasavu shawl each. Being the first of its kind in any of the universities in Kerala, all the speakers wanted the GOSAN to grow and function as a model that will be emulated by others. GOSAN organized three seminars (solid waste disposal, construction sand and Prof. KK Menon commemoration discourse and a GEOEXPO in Museum Centenary Hall, T’puram. The AMD, CESS, CGWB, GSI, M&GD, GWD, DoG of University College actively participated in the program. The GEOEXPO ran for three days and was fantastically received by the High schoolers in the Trivandrum Dist. GOSAN had also released during the occasion an educational CD which sold like ‘hot cake’ among the visiting high schools. The CESS also had donated a hard copy each of the Kerala Resource Atlas, to the schools that had come to see the exposition.     

However, once my term of Presidency was over, the new President reactivated GOSAN. An exhibition on the theme of geological sciences was staged in the University Student’s Center, T’puram especially to keep the wind of Geoscience blowing into the school corridors of Kerala. I remember to have attended the inaugural function of this expo held in the University Students Center, T’puram. However, now GOSAN is a memory only.

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Creating Prof. KK Menon Endowment in the Geological Society of India, Bangalore

I took over as HOD of GoD on the 1^st July 2001, when PKR decided finally to relinquish the HOD ship to pave way for his smooth bowing out of the DoG on superannuation in the following Jan. On the evening of June 30^th I called upon Mrs. Menon (widow of late Prof. KK Menon) in her house in the Navarangam lane, Medical College PO, to inform her in person that that I will be HOD from the next day onwards and will continue to be so for the next 3 yr, i.e., till my retirement in Jan, 2004.

She was indeed gladdened by the news and immediately wanted me to help create an endowment in the U of K and in the name of her late husband, Prof. Menon. She added that she was waiting for the day of my taking over as HOD so that she could see her long cherished desire fulfilled. She also told that the required fund will be a donation of the Menon children and grand children. I replied affirmatively and agreed to work on the proposition earnestly.

The next day I took charge as HOD, but decided not to move out of the office space that occupied in Dec., 1968. The paraphernalia attached to the HOD were partly shifted to my small office from where I discharged the duties of HOD.

The Menon endowment was in my mind and after deep pondering over it I informed Mrs. Menon that Geological Society in Bangalore will be the right place to bequeath the funds with, rather than the U of K. Only if the Society declined the offer stiffly, there is the question of approaching the U of K for creating the endowment.

I knew quite well that BPR never liked or approved Prof. KK Menon as a geologist by any of his standards and getting his nod on the endowment is like asking for the moon. Nevertheless, I wanted to try my luck with the society. The fact remains that Prof. Menon was a member of the first executive council of the Geological Society of India, Bangalore, and thus a foundation member of the society.

One other thing happened alongside. Roy Chacko and DSC Thampi were working on a point I raised with Chacko regarding creating a fund by soliciting donations to the tune of at least one month’s current salary of our alumni (but certainly payable in convenient installments) to the department development fund for improvements and maintenance of the general facilities in department. These two heads jointly came up with idea of creating an alumni association of the DoG and making it a vehicle for seeking and earning financial support or donations. Dr. Ekbal was the VC and he was toying with the idea of formalizing alumni associations in the departments of the university.

I do not exactly recall the year date or month. But one thing was sure. The VC inaugurated the GOSAN or Geology alumni association - first of its kind in the campus. The ceremonial meeting was held in the Botany Hall and the distinguished retired teachers were invited and The logo of the association was visualized and crafted by MP Muralidharan –one of the alumni. I, as HOD, was the president. The name GOSAN was coined by MM Nair. GOSAN held an Earthscience Expo, in the Museum Centenary Hall, Trivandrum. Prof.KK Menon commemoration lecture delivered by TM Mahadevan, preceded the inauguration of Expo. GSI, AMD, CGWB, CESS, DMG, GWD participated. In fact the GWD displayed a working drill rig at the entrance of the arena. Mrs. Menon and relatives attended the commemoration lecture in the Senate chamber of the U of K and also went around the exhibits in the EXPO..

An educational CD was created and sold to the visiting students as well as schools and the proceeds went to the general budget of the Expo. By that time GOSAN came through the teething troubles very well. Science Film show organized by GOSAN in the YMCA hall was a flop. No one turned up but for the students of DoG of U of K. Then the GOSAN decided to go to the schools with the message of earthscience through the medium of films procured from the embassies.

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Clock was ticking and my HOD time was draining fast. I therefore decided to look into the endowment. I decided to approach the society with the request. I got a blunt reply. I vaguely recall the content. In the xxxx meeting of the council of the society the following resolutions were made. “Item 3. The council unanimously decided not to institute anymore endowments”. By implication my proposal also was dumped -very disappointing decision and news indeed.

I got back to M. Ramakrishnan (Society) over the phone and asked what he could do in this regard as he is very close to BPR. Quick I had the reply from MR. It was simple, and he said if a decision was made in the council only BPR could reverse it. But it happens rarely and as far as MR is concerned it is a closed chapter.

When I went to Kochi for an examination, I spoke to Narayana (now in HCU) as to what he could do in this regard. Narayana said that he will talk to BP during his next visit to Bangalore and fathom the mind of BP. On his return, Narayana called me and said he needed a write up on Menon’s work as a geologist etc. To me it was the spark at the end of the tunnel. I took at least two weeks to complete a write up on Menon’s contributions to Geoscience in Kerala. It was mailed to Narayana to act on.

Finally I decided to play the trump card. In a long letter I proposed to the society that a sum of Rs.100,000/- be send to the society for safe keeping/investing with the choice of keeping 50% by it and returning the balance of the interest to GOSAN to sustain itself. It is warranted by the fact that GOSAN, being a very young organization, could fold and go under at any moment (which it did) and the ultimate beneficiary would be a bank.

In fact a month after, the society required me through a letter to forward a DD for Rs. one lakh drawn in favour of treasurer of the society. I took the letter immediately to Mrs. Menon, who gladly offered me one lakh. But I suggested that I be given the DD for sending to the society. Thus was born the KK Menon biannual award for the best paper in sedimentology or related area. For me it is an unparalleled tribute.

In fact, this is the only award in the name of any Kerala geologist in the Geological Society of India. I am relieved, humbled and ecstatic.

Prof: KK Menon- Founder Professor, Department of Geology, Univ. of Kerala and Story of his Portrait

Prof: KK Menon- Founder Professor, Department of Geology, Univ. of Kerala and Story of his Portrait

I went back from CESS for good to the University of Kerala (Department of Geology or DoG) as Reader on the June 16, 1982, after two years of rather very enjoyable work and play. Obvious reason for vacating the CESS is basically the desire for peace of mind firstly and secondly the better work environment only the university can offer. The first task in the university was to look for some funding to proceed with my research pursuit. CESS of course had its own research fund (tax payer’s “charity” if I may say so), whereas the university basically has no funds earmarked for faculty research.

My friend and office mate Mr Kriashnanath (we shared the same room from 1968 Dec., till it was walled and divided into two smaller offices in mid 1986, during my absence as I was in PFU, Moscow, USSR on a UGC fellowship) informed me of a notification by the DOEn, calling for research proposals for consideration of funding, under the Western Ghats eco-development program. As I could not immediately locate the announcement to gather the details, in the same evening I dropped into the VC’s front office to know more on the matter. One man in the office gave me a sheaf of papers detailing the nature of support and the conditions of grant and the gentleman permitted me to keep it overnight. .

Interestingly, later I discovered that the same paper is available in the DoG office. That was the beginning of the birth of “River Metamorphosis due to Human Intervention: the Neyyar Basin, Kerala”. The DOEn generously funded the study with a handsome grant of Rs.3.45 lakh and for three years. Krishnanath’s project on “Slope stability issues in the transport arteries of the W.Ghats” was also supported with a little larger sum, which made Krishnanath quite happy. In all some eight projects were granted to the various teachers in the Kariavattom campus.

By 1983 June or so we had the final OK from the university and late DR PK Rajan (then member syndicate) came up with a new set of regulations in respect of implementation of sponsored research in the university which I once called a Magna Charta of research, which practically empowered the investigators with both administrative and financial powers enabling the smooth implementation of the programs, yet within the four walls of Kerala Financial Code.

For some reason, it occurred to me that only after displaying a portrait of Prof. Menon, I will start off with the new project. My friend Mr. Ramasarma (in University College then), collected a negative of a portrait of Prof. Menon, and I borrowed the same and entrusted it with late Krishnankutty (in Botany Dept. then) - a person with huge loyalty to Prof. Menon - along with some funds for the portrait project.

In fact Krishnankutty wanted me to pick a double weight photo printing paper from a shop near Padmatheertham, East Fort, which I promptly complied with. On the third day, the print landed on my office table. In the same evening I took the photo to a picture framing shop at Palayam (on the west side of the road but behind street front row of shops). The older man in the shop immediately recognized the man in the photo and asked why I was doing it to which I answered that he was my teacher and mentor.

I got it framed the next day evening. And obviously I cannot resist the thrill of taking it DoG and properly displaying it in my own office. On the inaugural day of the photo, I offered a cup of tea and piece of cake to all the staff and colleagues in the DoG through the usual agent Jagadamma (cleaner of the DoG).

This photo stayed in my office from 1983 till I sold it to the DoG, for Rs.2500/- and that too after the then HOD figured that firstly the core of anti-Menon group bowed out on superannuation (i.e., KVK, RK and RP) and secondly there was no way of going back to Mrs. Menon to request for lending the negative of a suitable photo. In fact I did not feel bad at all in collecting the money for the portrait, instead I proudly insisted that the photo will be only sold and not donated. In fact, my colleagues had to buy it from me (sort of a Hobson’s choice).Roy Chacko did all the talking and negotiations with me for the Menon portrait anyway. Indeed, it took a long 20 or so years, since the retirement of Prof KK Menon in 1979 that a formal recognition by a public display of the portrait of the founder professor materialized. From my office, the Menon portrait went to one of the walls of the DoG library and later to the seminar hall, i.e., on the wall facing the current photo gallery.

When I was retiring, Roy Chacko made a proposal to me that we shall display the portraits of all teachers instead of restricting it to the HOD’s especially when the rotation of the HOD was not even spoken about. I readily agreed and thus, on the Jan. 31, 2004, three more portraits (KVK, RP and RK), were added to the photo gallery of teachers of the department. It was the then PVC, Prof Kevin who unveiled all the one plus three portraits. In fact, I shot a portrait of Kraishnanath (after he retired and during one of his visits to the DoG), in the main portico with my Minolta digital. KVK and RP made their own photos and gave the negatives instead. These are the same photos that are displayed in the photo gallery of the seminar hall of the DoG.

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