1. Why is this in the News?
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has officially approved the naming of a 3.5 billion-year-old crater on Mars after M.S. Krishnan, a pioneering Indian geologist. Additionally, several smaller Martian landforms have been named after significant locations in Kerala.
2. Key Martian Features & Their Indian Counterparts
The proposal was submitted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Government College, Kasaragod.
| Martian Name | Feature Type | Named After / Significance |
| Krishnan Crater | Large Crater | M.S. Krishnan (Pioneering Geologist). |
| Krishnan Palus | Plain (inside the crater) | Latin for ‘swamp’ or ‘marsh’, used for small plains. |
| Periyar Vallis | Valley/Channel | Periyar River (Kerala’s longest river). |
| Thumba | Small Crater | Site of TERLS (India’s first rocket launch station). |
| Valiamala | Small Crater | Location of IIST and LPSC (ISRO unit) in Trivandrum. |
| Bekal | Small Crater | Bekal Fort (Largest fort in Kerala). |
| Varkala | Small Crater | Varkala Cliff (A declared National Geological Monument). |
3. Person in Focus: Dr. M.S. Krishnan (1898–1970)
- Role: He was the first Indian to serve as the Director of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) (appointed in 1951).
- Key Contributions:
- Authored the seminal book “Geology of India and Burma”.
- Instrumental in the formation of the Geological Society of India.
- Worked on the stratigraphy of Gangpur (Odisha) and mineral resources of Madras Presidency.
- Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1970.
4. The Science Behind the Naming (IAU Guidelines) The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the globally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features.
- Large Craters (>60 km): Named after deceased scientists or writers who have contributed to the study of Mars.
- Small Craters (<60 km): Named after towns and villages of the world with a population of less than 100,000.
- Vallis (Valleys): Named after the word for “Mars” in various languages or names of rivers on Earth.
5. Prelims Takeaways:
- Geological Survey of India (GSI): Established in 1851, it is the second-oldest survey institution in India (after Survey of India). It operates under the Ministry of Mines.
- Varkala Cliff: It is the only place in southern Kerala where Cenozoic sedimentary formations are visible on the coast. It is a designated Geo-heritage site.
- Other Indian Names on Mars: Craters have previously been named after Devendra Lal (Physicist), and towns like Mursan (UP), Hilsa (Bihar), Poona, and Kakori.
