TIRUPATTUR: Three rare mushroom-shaped rock formations have been discovered near Kandili in Tirupattur district during a recent field study conducted near Pudur village.

The formations were identified by Prabhu, a professor at a private college in the district, who said such mushroom rocks are found only in a few locations worldwide and at select places in India.

In the country, these formations are mainly seen in the desert regions of Rajasthan, while similar structures are found in deserts in Egypt and the United States.

He said Tirupattur district had earlier recorded mushroom rocks in the Thokkiyam area and noted that these naturally formed structures are considered geological curiosities.

Explaining the process, Prabhu said that over several lakh years, continuous wind action causes chemical elements and soil particles in the air to erode the softer portions of rocks.

As erosion continues, the harder upper and lower sections remain intact, while the middle portion wears away, giving the rock a mushroom-like appearance.

He said the presence of such formations in the Kandili region should be examined by subject experts and urged the district administration and the Archaeology Department to take steps to protect such natural heritage features.