'Mysterious' crack widens in Manchikere

The earth fissure that was reported in Manchikere area in Manipal seems to be slightly widened, however the depth remains to be uncertain following all the attempts to find it out.

A resident of the area, Sudheer Nayak told Deccan Herald that the crack observed on the surface of the earth is slightly widened and the width is measuring around four centimeters. The earth below the crust is clearly visible, however the depth could not be found out, he said.

Meanwhile, Panchayat Raj Engineering Division geologist C Ramaiah, who visited the area on Friday said the two main reasons that has caused the phenomenon is likely to be landslide beneath the earth and tectonic movement.

The possibility of recurrence of the phenomenon in future is vague. It is not sure whether the tectonic movement would repeat and cause disaster. “We can not rule out the possibilities of recurrence.

Two caves in the area, one in Machikere and the other one in Duglipadav might also be the cause for the crack, following the landslide that might have occurred. The movement beneath the earth is powerful, as it is able to crack the hardcore laterite stones in the area. The landmass in this region is mostly made out of laterite stones,” he said.

He also explained a logical possibility that the caves in the area might be connected to Kelaparkala and Parkala area, where the sudden surface of water steam was observed nearly two months ago.

The cave in Duglipadav runs for more than 100 meters according to the historians. The disturbances in the layer comprising water sources might have extended to Manchikere region.

As it was summer, the under slide in Kelaprakala area could not extend to this part. As it is rainy season,  the disturbances caused due to up throw or down throw movement beneath the earth crust might have extended to Manchikere, he added.