The Post Graduate Department of Applied Geology, GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Malappuram, in association with IQAC, organized a one-day geological exploration titled “Rocks & Waves” at St. Mary’s Island, Karnataka, on 15 November 2025. The field trip aimed to provide postgraduate geology students with direct exposure to unique geological formations, particularly the famous columnar basalt structures of the island, which serve as an excellent natural laboratory for understanding igneous processes, coastal geomorphology, and the geological evolution of the western coast of India.
The team reached St. Mary’s Island via the Malpe jetty, after which students were guided through various rock exposures, including the striking prismatic jointed basalt, beach sediments, and coastal erosional features. The faculty highlighted the island’s geological significance, believed to be associated with the Deccan Volcanic Province, and explained how rapid cooling of basaltic lava led to the hexagonal columnar jointing seen today. Students closely examined lithology, mineral assemblages, weathering patterns, and the interaction of waves with the rocky shoreline, strengthening their understanding of igneous petrology and coastal processes.
Apart from academic enrichment, the trip also encouraged teamwork, observation skills, and field documentation practices. Photographs, field sketches, sediment descriptions, and structural measurements were recorded as part of experiential learning. The visit proved to be highly informative and enjoyable, offering students a memorable opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world geological features. The programme successfully met its objective of enhancing field proficiency among postgraduate geology students.