Geophysical Evidence and Forward-Inverse Modelling of the Shiva Impact Structure, Offshore Mumbai

This paper explores the concept of a massive impact structure off the Mumbai coast, often referred to as the “Shiva Crater.” Although there is considerable debate about its origin and even its existence as an impact feature, some researchers suggest it may rival and exceed the size of the famous Chicxulub crater, which was believed to be one of the major cause for the K-Pg extinction. Here, we outline a brief background of the Shiva hypothesis, review the relevant literature, and present a simplified methodology to estimate the potential energy released by such an impact. We compare those calculations with known extinction-level events and GIS - radial profiles from observed geophysical data, discussing whether Shiva could realistically have contributed to the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary mass extinction. The results of this preliminary analysis offer insight into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Shiva structure and highlight areas where more data are needed.