National Centre for Earth Science Studies (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India)

Research Updates

The role of bathymetry in shaping sediment deposition: a case study from the Alleppey Terrace and adjacent shelf, southwestern India

NCESS Study Reveals Hidden Controls on Seafloor Sedimentation. A new study from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) highlights the role of underwater features, such as the Alleppey Terrace, as natural "gatekeepers," blocking land-derived sediments and preserving ancient marine records - offering fresh insight into past ocean conditions and India's continental margin evolution.

Bibliographic Info: A. Prajith, Reji Srinivas, M.K. Sreeraj, N. Sreejith, S. Suja, A.V. Sijinkumar(2025).
Read more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2025.105620

A 3D Shear Wave Velocity Structure of the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere System Beneath the Indian Ocean

New seismic insights reveal a molten heartbeat beneath the Indian Ocean. A captivating new study from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) sheds light on anomalous structures hidden beneath the Indian Ocean. Our Scientists used seismic waves to build a comprehensive 3D shear-wave velocity model of the oceanic lithosphere–asthenosphere system, uncovering subsurface ridges, tectonic features, and concealed layers across the region. What appears calm on the surface is revealed to be an intricate, dynamically active system, particularly beneath the Indo-Australian Plate diffusion boundary zone. This discovery reshapes our understanding of Earth's deep interior dynamics.

Bibliographic Info: S. Silpa, B. Padma Rao, Satish Maurya(2025).
Read the full research: https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JB031164

Pressure-Temperature-time (P-T-t) evolution of pelitic granulites from the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica: Insights from accessory mineral geochronology and phase equilibria modeling

A new study from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies sheds light on deep-crustal processes beneath the Antarctic continent, including metamorphic timelines and tectonic events that link India and East Antarctica in Earth’s deep past. "From the ice sheets of Antarctica to the tectonic heart of India — one story, millions of years in the making."

Bibliographic Info: Nilanjana Sorcar, Sankar Bose, J. Amal Dev, Sneha Mukherjee, J.K. Tomson(2025).
Read more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2025.101306

CNN-Trained Centroid Method for Estimating Depth to the Bottom of the Magnetic Sources (DBMS) and Its Application to the Southern Indian Shield

"Revolutionizing Geophysics: National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS)-Led Collaboration Uses AI to Explore Earth's Magnetic Field". Did you know Earth's magnetic field isn't just about compasses? It actually holds the secrets to our planet's thermal structure beneath the crust. In a collaborative study, NCESS scientists have developed a cutting-edge Deep Learning model that can precisely estimate the depth of magnetic sources in Earth's crust - something traditional methods struggle with! This innovation opens new doors to understanding Earth's hidden heat engine and crustal dynamics like never before!

Bibliographic Info: Arka Roy, Korimilli Naga Durga Prasad, Rajat Kumar Sharma, Dommeti Vijayakumar, Rajesh Kumar(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB030918

Moisture build-up and thermodynamic processes in precipitation regimes during the southwest monsoon over a tropical coastal region

A new captivating study by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) unveils how deep layers of moisture hidden in the sky trigger heavy downpours during the Southwest Monsoon in tropical coastal regions.

Bibliographic Info: Anusha Andrews, E.A. Resmi, R.K. Sumesh, Sneha Sunil, A.R. Aswini, Nita Sukumar, Sumit Kumar, A. Sabarinath, Tejavath Charan Teja, Dharmadas Jash(2025).
Dive deep : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dynatmoce.2025.101601

Groundwater quality assessment using integrated water quality indices and multivariate statistics in the Upper Bhavani River Basin, India

Bibliographic Info: J. A. Gayathri, Vipin T. Raj, K. Sreelash, K. Maya & D. Padmalal(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12555-z

A combined approach of thermal remote sensing and ground-based measurements for radioactive mineral exploration at the Eastern Coast of India

Can surface temperature reveal hidden radioactive minerals on Earth's surface??

A new study by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) explores how thermal remote sensing could help detect radioactive mineral deposits - straight from space!
Using Landsat 8 satellite data, researchers mapped Land Surface Temperature (LST) along the Podampata coast, Odisha, India - searching for subtle thermal anomalies that might signal radioactive minerals like monazite and zircon.

Bibliographic Info:Samikshya Mohanty, Santanu Dinda, Nimesh Kotadia, Debashish Sengupta, Biswajit Bera & Somnath Adak (2025).
Dive into the full study: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12554-0

Hydrogeochemical evolution and salinity risk assessment in hard rock aquifers of Southern India: A chemometric perspective.

Groundwater Quality in Southern Tamil Nadu – A Seasonal Story."Did you know monsoons don't just fill rivers—they can transform groundwater too?" A recent study by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) has evaluated the impact of seasonal changes on groundwater quality in southern Tamil Nadu's hard-rock aquifers, revealing how monsoons alter groundwater quality.

Bibliographic Info: S.Richard Abishek, V.Stephen Pitchaimani, Neelam Sidhu, A. Antony Ravindran, Sahil Sharma, R. Sakthi Priya(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwat.2025.100115

Evaluation of soil erosion and sediment yield in tropical river basin of the Western Ghats, South India

A captivating new study by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) sheds light on the intricate dynamics of soil erosion and sediment yield in the Manimala River Basin (MRB), a vital area nestled in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats of Kerala. This innovative study harnesses GIS-based RUSLE and SDR models to provide a detailed assessment of site-specific soil erosion and sediment deposition rates, crucial for enhancing conservation and promoting sustainable land management in the region.

Bibliographic Info: S. Kaliraj, C. Kavarni, A. Muthamilselvan, Sudeshna Gayen, S. Richard Abishek, V. Stephen Pitchaimani, Shankar Karuppanna(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.100854.

Seasonal dynamics, sources, and health risks of trace and heavy metals in the tropical critical zone of the Western Ghats, India

Dive into the fascinating findings of a recent study conducted by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) that explores the intricate relationship between monsoon-driven hydrological changes and human impacts on water quality and public health at the Munnar Critical Zone Observatory in the Western Ghats of India. This compelling research underscores the critical need for effective water security management in delicate, human-influenced ecosystems within tropical critical zones. As we face the challenges of climate change and urbanization, these insights call for innovative and smarter approaches to land and water management in these vital regions.

Bibliographic Info: R. Sreelesh, G. V. Asha Rani, K. Sreelash & K. Maya(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02658-8

Geomorphological Evolution of the Multi-Chain Cascading Disaster of Wayanad (30 July 2024), Kerala, India

A socially impactful study conducted by the scientists at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) has unveiled the dramatic geomorphic transformations caused by the catastrophic Wayanad disaster that struck on July 30, 2024. This event, triggered by incessant rainfall, precipitated severe landslides, intense debris flows, and extensive flooding, which devastated the region. The researchers undertook rigorous field surveys, employed Remote Sensing analyses, and gathered impactful narratives from survivors to effectively depict the extent to which this calamity has altered the landscape. Their findings elucidate the fragile equilibrium of geological structures, unstable slopes, and the dynamics of hydrodynamic processes involved. This research provides critical insights for hazard assessment and underscores the urgent need for resilient land-use planning within the Western Ghats, a region of immense ecological and cultural significance to India.

Bibliographic Info: Sravan Kumar Kotluri, Thatikonda Suresh Kumar, A. Prajith, Eldhose K., Shivapriya S., S. Kaliraj, V. Nandakumar, N. V. Chalapathi Rao(2025).
https://doi.org/10.17491/jgsi/2025/174230

Geochronological and Sr-Pb-C-O isotope constraints on the genesis of carbonatites from the polychronous Mundwara alkaline complex (north western India)

A captivating new collaborative study from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) at the Mundwara alkaline complex unfolds an exciting geological mystery as researchers delve into the intriguing formation of carbonatites, major primary repositories of REE. As researchers continue their work, the Mundwara alkaline complex stands as a window into our planet's past, offering insights into the dynamic processes that have shaped our Earth.

Bibliographic Info: Sudipa Bhunia, N.V. Chalapathi Rao, Andrea Giuliani, Lorenzo Tavazzani, Debojit Talukdar, Rohit Pandey, Alok Kumar, Sirajuddin Ansari, Bernd Lehmann(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2025.108194

U-Th-total Pb monazite chemical dating protocol: application to Gneiss from Wilson metamorphic complex (WMC), Northern Victoria Land (NVL), Antarctica

Ever wondered how old the rocks beneath Antarctica really are? A fascinating new study by a scientist from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), under the auspices of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), South Korea, has just shed light on this intriguing question! Using a cutting-edge chemical dating technique powered by electron microprobe analysis, researchers have begun to unravel the complex geological history of Antarctica's Wilson Metamorphic Complex. This incredible discovery not only enriches our understanding of the ancient world beneath the ice but also reveals insights into the tectonic evolution of Northern Victoria Land.

Bibliographic Info: Nilanjana Sorcar, Daeyeong Kim, Hwayoung Kim, Jong Ik Lee, Sang-Bong Yi & Hyeoncheol Kim (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-025-00499-9