The European Space Agency (ESA) has released an image of the Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge, taken by its Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite. This significant geological formation, a chain of shoals, connects India and Sri Lanka, spanning 48 kilometers between Rameswaram Island off the southeast coast of India and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka.
Ram Setu serves as a natural divider between the Gulf of Mannar to the south and the Palk Strait to the north. Geological evidence suggests that these limestone shoals are the remnants of a land bridge that once linked India with Sri Lanka.
This week's @ESA_EO #EarthFromSpace is a @CopernicusEU #Sentinel2 image of Adam’s Bridge, a chain of shoals linking India and Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/Zo584h9KhK
— European Space Agency (@esa) June 21, 2024
According to the ESA, this “natural bridge was traversable until the 15th century, after which it was gradually eroded by storms over the years.” The shallow waters, only 1-10 meters deep, are indicated by the light color of the sea in the image.
Mannar Island, which covers approximately 130 square kilometers, is connected to mainland Sri Lanka by a road bridge and a railway bridge, both visible at the southern end of the island.
On the Indian side, Rameswaram Island, also known as Pamban Island, is accessible via the 2-kilometer-long Pamban Bridge. The island’s main towns are Pamban, located on the western edge, and Rameswaram, about 10 kilometers east of Pamban.
Both sections of Ram Setu are part of protected national parks in their respective countries. These areas serve as vital breeding grounds for various bird species, such as the brown noddy, and support a rich diversity of marine life, including numerous fish species and sea grasses. The surrounding waters are home to dolphins, dugongs, and turtles.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arichal Munai, the starting point of the Ram Setu, highlighting the ongoing interest and significance of this natural wonder. The ESA’s image not only provides a breathtaking view but also underscores the importance of preserving such unique geological and ecological formations.
