BSIP scientists trace 250-million-year-old Permian wildfires in the Godavari Basin
Scientists of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, have traced palaeofires from about 250 million years ago in the Permian period using shale samples from the Godavari Basin, the DST said on 6 May 2025.
Summary
Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have traced the signatures of ancient wildfires (palaeofires) that swept through landscapes some 250 million years ago in the Permian period, the DST said on 6 May 2025. They analysed shale samples from deep within the Godavari Basin using palynofacies analysis combined with advanced chemistry, to tell apart charcoal from fires that burned in place from charcoal carried by wind or water. The release notes that the Raniganj Coalfield was among the first sites in India where fossil charcoal was identified.
Key facts
- Announced
- 6 May 2025
- Institute
- BSIP, Lucknow (autonomous, DST)
- Period
- Permian, about 250 million years ago
- Samples
- Shale from the Godavari Basin
- Method
- Palynofacies analysis with geochemistry
Practice MCQs 1 questions
Consider the following statements about the Permian palaeofire study reported on 6 May 2025: 1. It was carried out by scientists of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, an autonomous institute of the DST. 2. The shale samples studied were collected from the Raniganj Coalfield. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The samples came from the Godavari Basin; Raniganj Coalfield is mentioned as one of the first sites where fossil charcoal was identified in India.