II CHAPTER II II

GEOLOGICAL SETTINGS

Of

THE STUDY AREA

CONTENTS

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Geotectonic Setting

2.3 Regional Geological Set up

2.3.a Dongargarh Supergroup

2.3.b Chhattisgarh Supergroup

2.4 The Chhattisgarh Sedimentary Basin

2.5 Geology around Rajnandgaon & Parri Basin.

FIGUR~:-

2.1 Mid Late Proterozoic Basin of India.

2.2 Central India Craton & Tectonic Frame Wrok

2.3 Geological Map of Chhattisgarh Basin

2.4 Regional Geology.

2.5 Geological Map of Parri Basin

TABLE}-

2.1 Regional Stratigraphic Succession

2.2 Stratigraphic Succession of Chhattisgarh Basin

2.3 Geological Succession around Rajnandgaon

PLATt£:-

A. FIELD PHOTOGRAPHS

2.1 Field photograph showing horizontally bedded yellow Gunderdehi shale

upstream Nala cutting, location Chaitukhapri.

2.2. Field photograph showing debris of Gunderdehi shale exposure in

downstream of Parri Flood plain, East of Rajnandgaon.

2.3 Field photograph showing Gunderdehi shales exposure in river bed

showing joints NNW-SSE trend at South Manki lower reaches of Parri

Nadi.

2.4. Field photograph showing. Thick bedded grey limestone (Pachperi Mine)

2.5 Field photograph showing occurrence of sandstone as thin platy capping

overlies the thick masssive limestone.

2.6. Field photograph showing massive thick horizontal to low dip (2° NE),

grey limestone, location Chaweli quarry.

2. 7. Field photograph showing elephant's skin weathering in Raipur limestone

exposures along Nala Cutting east Parri, location 15 km mile stone

Rajnandgaon - Khairagarh Road.

2.8. Field photograph showing horizontal bedding planes and vertical joints

in limestone, location Chaweli Mines.

2.9 Field photograph showing Deodongar Sandstone exposures with promient

joints trend N-S, location, Chaweli Muhrum khurd road.

B. HANDSPECIMEN

2.1 0. Fine grained, Ferrugenous, red coloured Gunderdehi shale, showing

alternating Formation bands.

2.11. Gunderdehi shale showing colour variation from pink to Grey.

2.12. Limestone shows stromatolitic structure, secondary materials deposited

along intercolumn of this structure.

2.13. Pink Greenish grey stromotolitic limestone.

2.14. Red, compact, siliceous Deodongar sandstone.

2.15 Sedimentary concretion nodules of Parri Nadi bed.

C. PHOTOMICROGRAPHS :

2.16 Photomicrograph of Deodogar sandstone showing secondary growth in

quartz grains. (CN 40 x).

2.17 Photomicrograph of sub rounded coarse grained, Deodongar sandstone,

alteration of glauconite into ironoxide. (PL 40 x)

2.18. Photomicrograph of sandstone showing larger grains smooth and

subrounded shape. Small inclusions and cracks arer common in

sandstone. (CN 40 x).

2.19 Photomicrograph of limestone showing micrite and dolomite rhombshape.

(CN 40 x).

2.20. Photomicrograph of limestone showing calcite veins (sty/otitic vein) (CN

40 x).

2.21 Limestone composed of sparry canbonate Dolomite indentified by their

rhomb shape. (CN 40 x).

2.22 Gunderdehi shales showing sponge texture feldspar grain in centre. (PL

40 x).

2.23. Fine grained Gunderdehi shales composed of detrital grains of quartz,

feldspar and mica flakes are common (PL 40 x).

2.24 Ill sorted, fine grained shales, Brown mica biotite altered in epidote (light

yellow) (CN 40 x).

2.25 Shale showing quartz grains imbrication along the composition bandings.

(CN 40 x).

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The study area lies in the western portion of Chhattisgarh sedimentary

basin of proterozoic age. It is the largest sedimentary basin in Central India. The

Chhattisgarh basin having a crescent shape in outline and placed within the

Central Indian Craton.

The Proterozoic era is characterized by the development of mobile

belts, Sedimentary basins and the first stable cratons. (Fig. 2.1) Peninsular shield

of Centr<illndia experienced the development of thick sedimentary sequence in

form of large cratonic basin of Chhattisgarh as other world's shields (Raza,

Casshyap, 1996). The continental interior basins (intercratonic basins) are

typically oval in shape, symmetrical in profile and gave their depocentres at the

central part. These features are well represented in chhattisgarh basin.

A genetic relationships between the mobile belts and the Proterozoic

sedimentary basis are marked by the juxtapostion of the basin with their respective

proterozoic mobile belts as evidenced by their tectonic contacts and their relative

ages. (Harinarayan 1987, Raza and Casshyap, 1996)

2.2 GEOTECTONIC SETTING :-

The tectonic setup of the region includes this area in the Central India

Shield. The Central Indian Precambrian Shield (CIPS) is located in the north

part of the Indian Peninsular Shield and extended over the states of Madhya

Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It occupies position in between the

cratonic mosaic of Singhbhum in the north east and Dharwar in the south.

There are two cratonic block and two intersecting mobile belts present

in the central India Precambrian shield Bundelkhand complex in the north and

the Bastar craton in the south are Cratonic blocks. The mobile belts are the N-S

trending Kotri·Dongargarh mobile belt in the Bastar craton and ENE-WSW

trending Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) in the Bundelkhand craton.

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Significant feature of the Central Indian Craton intersection of

Precambrian fold belt is the significant feature of them namely the N-S trending

Bengpai-Bailadila-Dongargarh belt in the south, E-W trending Sausar-Raigarh

belt in the north with Bhandara triangle between being occupied by the Sakoli

sequence. (Sinha, Roy, 1995). The Zone of intersection has been proposed by

some workers to represent a major suture (i.e. Central Indian Suture (CIS}

(Yedekar etal., 1990} Central India shield is a result of collage of two

protocontinents joined along a suture, called Central Indian Suture which

separates north Balaghat belt from south Dongargarh Supergroup. (Sarkar, 1994).

In the zone of west central part of Bastar Craton the Kotri Dongargarh Supergroup,

Sakoli Group an Sausar Group are included as proterozoic super crustal fold

belts.

The Proterozoic mobility of the west central part of the Central Indian.

Shield was ceased during 0.9-0.7 Ga, and this also represent the closing phases

of Sakoli, Sausar, Khairagarh Orogenies and emergence of Chhatisgarh and

other contemporaneous basins. (Bandhopadhyay et. al. 1995}. The

geotectonically Chhattisgarh basin is located within the Central Indian Shield,

includes Bastar granitoid craton and Sonakhan greenstone metamorphic belt in

south, in the north WNW-ESE trending Raigarh - Bilaspur metamorphics of

Satpura belt occur with a faulted margin. Eastern margin is characterized by the

granitoids of Bastar Craton and Eastern Ghat mobile belt are fringing the basin,

whereas Chilpi group of rocks, Dongargarh Granites and Kotri valconics are

juxtaposed in the West margin. (Fig. 2.2) (Ramakrishnan, 1990}.

The sedimentation in Chhattisgarh basin was initiated with the

formation of proto basins in the eastern-margin during the lower-Riphaean period

(Oas and D'suza, 1990) probably in the response to tectonic activity in NNE­

SSW trending Eastern Ghat mobile belt in the east and NNW-SSW trending

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2.3 REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SET UP :-

The regional geology of the terrain comprises rocks belonging to

Dongargarh and Chhattisgarh Supergroups. (Fig. 2.3j The thick sedimentary rocks

of Chhattisgarh Supergroup is deposited in an intercratonic basin (Pascoe, 1963)

and metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks (Dongargarh supergroup) are

exposed in the west of the basin. The 90 km wide and 150 km long NNE

Dongargarh supergroup constitutes a major stratigraphic unit in the CIPS (Sarkar,

1957-58). The regional stratigraphic succession is given in Table 2.1. The details

are as follows.

2.3. (A) DONGARGARH SUPERGROUP :-

It comprises rocks of Nandgaon, Chilipiand Khairagarh groups. The

Nandgaon group consists of Bijli rhyolite and Pitepani volcanics of andesitic rock

formation.

AMGAON GROUP :

It is unconformably underlain by Nandgaon Group, consists of quartz

sericite & schist, felspathic- garnet epidote, hornablende schist & amphibolite.

A 1 BIJLI RHYOLITE :

The Bijli Rhyolite reprsents thick series of rhyolite with intertrappean

rhyolitic conglomerate sandstone, silitstone, shale & tuffs. These rocks

unconfrormably overlies the Amgaon Group,Sakoli Group rocks and Granitoid

gneisses. The folding of Bijli rhyolite took place during Nandgaon orogenic phase

and this event followed the extrusion of Pitepani volcanics. Colour range in rhyolite

is from white, grey, pink, black etc. with varying proportion of phenocrysts of

quartz, potash feldspar and albitic plagioclase.

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A2 PITEPANI VOLCANICS:

This unconformably overlies the Bijli rhyolites and includes

nonporphyritic to porphyritic tholeiites (with phenocryst of plagioclase) It is a

hard, compact greyish green in colour andesities and concoidal fracture.

Microscopically, it is fine to porphyritic in nature, in the matrix and laths of

plagioclase altered to oligoclase, and occur with chlorite, sericie calcite, epidote,

zoisite and dusty iron ore.

A3. DONGARGARH GRANITES:

It is formed later than Pitepani volcanics and this granite activity caused

a thermal metamorphic aureole up to 2.5 km. width adjoining Bijli rhyolite and

Pitepani volcanics. Porphyritic granite and coarse granite are common. Porphyritic

granite microgranite and granophyre also occurs. Relict inclusion and transitional

stages of rhyolite indicate insitu granitization in the area.

CHILPI GROUP:

It separates the Nandgaon group from the Khairagarh group of rocks.

The slaty Shale rock is a pelitic member which is a predominant rock followed by

arkose and grey wacke. Its colour ranges from red to purple. Slaty shale occurs

in Chilpi Gath Group rocks are correlatable with Khairagarh Group and Khairagarh

grade Chilpi Ghat rocks (Sarkar, 1994).

KHAIRAGARH GROUP:

This group consists Bortalao formation, Sitagota Volcanics, Karutola

Formation and Mangikhuta volcanics. Folded rocks of Khairgarh group represent

their fold axes and axial trend in NNE-SSW orientation.

BORTALAO FORMATION :

This is the lowermost formation which unconformably overlies the

volcanic rocks of Nandgon Group or the Dongargarh Granites. This formation

TABLE2.1

REGIONAL STRATIGRAPHIC SUCCESSION (AFTER SARKAR, 1994)

Dolerite dykes and sills Chhattisgarh Supergroup Raipur Limestone :

Chandarpur Sandstone :

Compact - nodular limestone, purple shale Fine purple sandstone

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_______ Khairagarh Orogenic phase (c.900 Mal----------

Mangikhuta Volcanics (> B10m)

Hypabyssal phase of tholeiite Pyroxene/olivine basalts (tholeiitic) with minor intertrappean shales, siltstones & tuffs

Karutola !ormation Ferrugineous orthoquartzites Cross-bedded mature sandstones (!170m)

Sitagota Volcanics ( < 1500m)

Bortalao Formation (<2040)

Hypabyssal phases of basalt & andesite Tholeiitic basalts ( 1367 Ma, porphyritic, nonporphyritic & amygdaloidal) Basic tuffs & agglomerates lntertrappean shales & siltstones (tf'PR Ma)

Green (mature) sandy tuffs & tuffaceous sandstones (<1110 m) Upper conglomerate (<300m) Arkosic & lithic wackes & arenites (cross bedded) Arkosic & rhyolitic sandstones with pebbly horizons Lower conglomerates (<120m) Shales & siltstones, basal (1534 Ma)

'---------------Unconformity-------------­Dongargarh granite (2270 ± 90 to 2465 ± 22 Ma)

Pitepani Volicaics (<1690m)

Micro granite & aplite ; coarse & porphyritic granite Porphyritic micro granite and granophyre.

Hypabyssal gabbro & dioritic units, porphyry non-porphyritic, porphyritic & amygdaloidal tholeiite Basic tuffs & agglomerates Shales & siltstones

6 Nandgaon Orogenty (Unconlormity) -----------a: C!J ~ Bijli Porphyritic & non-porphyritic rhyolites, rhyolite porphyry (flow layers) z 0 Rhyolites Rhyolitic conglomerate, sandstones, siltstones, shales & tuffs (300 m) oo (3 ~ 1----------Unconformity-------------------

~ Rhyolite with flow layers (2180-2503 Ma) ...: z Unconformity -------------------

Amgaon Group

Amgaon Orogeny, metamorphism & granitisation (>c.2500 Ma) Quartz sericite. schist, feldspathic-, garnet epidote, hornblende biotite- quartzite : quartz-feldspar-biotite gneiss, augen gneiss, hornblende schist & amphibolite.

includes shales, silt stone, basal conglomerate, arkose, sandstone, tuff

sandstone, well rounded pebbles cobbles and boulders of Bijli rhyolite. It consists

of felspathic s/st, argilitic s/st. The sandstone is composed of quartz, chert pebbles

of granitic and and andestic composition in ferrugineous matrix. Lower

conglomerate is made up of Dongargarh granites, arkose vein quartz in finer

grained matrix. Pale to dark grey rhyolitic s/st and upper conglomerate consists

of well rounded pebbles of white quartz.

SITAGOTA VOLCANICS :

It comprises dull green (augite) theoleiites with minor tuff and

aglomerates. These basic lavas occurs as synclinal outliers flanks of Sitagota

syncline. The rock is hard and compact, dark green in colour, composed of quartz,

microcline, perthite, oligoclase and andesite.

KARUTOLA FORMATION :

This fomation disconformably overlies the Sitagota volcanics. It

consists of fine to coarse granied well bedded pure and ferrugenous

orthoquartzites with grains showing high degree of roundness.

MANGIKHUTA VOLCANICS:

This group volcanic rocks overlying Karutola formation and occurs as

outlier in Sitagota syncline. It consists of non-porphyritic, amygdoidal pyroxene

tholeiites with minor intertrappean shales and silt stones with a colour variation

from dark green to dark black.

3.38. CHHATTISGARH SUPER GROUP:

The rocks of Chhattisgarh supergroup overlies unconformably over

the rocks of Dongargarh supergroup. It comprises arenaceous calcareous and

argillaceous facies of rocks. (Dutt, 1964, Murti, 1967)

2.4. THE CHHATTISGARH SEDIMENTARY BASIN :-

This basin can be divided into Hirri and Baradwar subbasins. (Fig.2.4)

The early initiation sedimentation have taken place in the Baradwar sub basin

which lies on the eastern part of the basin. A major activity of basin evolution is

witnessed by the Singhora end phase of sedimentation when huge areas on

either side of Sonakhan high lands subjected to large scale subsidence. This

gave rise development of two-basin within the Chhattisgarh domain. The Hirri­

sub basin is referred to as the main basin in the west having circular to elliptical

shape. The oldest rock formation of Chhattisgarh basin in Singhora Group and

presented in Singhora area lying east of Sonakhan (Das et. al. 1992). The

depositional environment of Chhattisgarh basin is coarse silicic clastic beach

near shore coastal but limestone and chert represent deeper marine setting.

(Murti, 1987). There is possibility of regional linkage between the Vindhyan and

Chhattisgarh basin by a master basin (Mitra, 1996).

GEOLOGY OF THE CHHATTISGARH BASIN:

The entire succession of Chhattisgarh basin is classified into three

groups. The lowermost is the Singhora Group, developed in the east consisting

of four formations of arenite, argillite, and carbonate sequence. The middle group

Chandrapur Group, unconformably overlying the lower group. This middle group

consists of three formation of arenite litho-assemblage namely Lohardih,

Chapordih and Kansapathar. The upper group is Raipur Group, consisting argillite­

carbonate suite and subdivided into six formations, Charmuria, Gunderdehi,

Chandi, Tarenga, Hirri and Maniari successively. (Table 2.2, Fig 2.4).

CHANDRAPUR GROUP:

In Hirri basin the lower arenaceous Chandrapur group rest

uncomformably over the unclassified granites and gneisses of Archean age. It is

well developed along eastern and southern boundary of Chhattisgarh basin. It is

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TABLE 2.2

STRATIGRAPHIC SUCCESSION OF CHHATTISGARH BASIN (After DAS et. al., 1992)

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Maniari Formation (70m)

ffirri Formation (?Om +)

Tarenga Formation (180m?)

Chandi Formation (670m)

Gunderdehi Formation

Charmuria Formation (490m)

Kansapalhar Formation (20·200m)

Chaporadih Formation (20-20m)

Lohardih Formation (20m)

Bilha Member

Dagauri Member

Kusmi Member

Nipania Member

Pendri Deodongar Member

Newari Member

Andha/Dolopath Member in the middle

Bagbura Member

Kasdol Member

Ranidhar Member

Sirpur Member -

Dolerite dykes

Purple shale w1th dolom1te, do!om1tic limestone and gypsum.

Grey dolomite, argillaceous dolomite.

Purple dolomitic argillite

Green clay, chert and shale Intercalation (tuffaceous ?}

Pmk to Purple calcareous shale,

Purple and green bedded limestone Purple argillaceous stromatolitic dolomite.

Purple and grey stromatolitic limestone and dolomite With flaggy limestone shale intercalation /lerrug1onus glauconitic arenite and shale.

Pink and buff stromatolitic limestone and dolomite

Predominantly pink, purple and grey shale with limestone intercalations/arenite/bull to green shale member in the middle.

Purple limestone (Phosphatic)

Dark grey bedded limestone/argillaceous limestone With mmor shale intercalation

Cherty limestone and dolomite (phosphalrc at places }

Chert and clay 1ntercalat1on.

Glaucon111c white to pmkish quartz aren1k.

Purple, green, grey and black, shale with Siltstone/quartz arenite Wlfil shale mtercalat1on

Ferrug1nous purple arkose and gr~tty wacke arenite With shale partings and conglomerate at the base

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Bhalukona Formation (20 m±)

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Rehalrkhol Formatron (20m +)

Slromalolilic limestone and dolomite, variegated shale with minor bedded limestone, chert and siltstone intercalations,

Quartz arenite/siltstone and minor shale.

Veriegated shale with siltstone chert and minor limestone.

Feldspathic arenite. Arkose and conglomerate al the base.

---------------- Unconlormrty ----------------Archean and Lower Proterozorc basement

divided in to Lohardih, Chapordih and Kansapathar formation in successive order.

(Murti, 1987, Das et. al, 1992).

LOHARDIH FORMATION :

About 20 metres thick formation comprises conglomerate, arkose and

sand stone. The basal conglomerate grade into ferrugenous purple subarkosic

sandstone which contains subangular to subrounded grains of quartz and

felspars.

CHAPORDIH FORMATION:

It comprises purple, green grey and black shale with silt stone I quartz

arenite and conformably overlie the Lohardih formation. Shale intercalations are

common features. Glauconite and mica flakes generally present.

KANSAPATHAR FORMATION :

Kansapathar formation conformably overlie the Chapordih formation.

This formation comprises mainly of white to pinkish and medium to coarse grained

arenite.

RAIPUR GROUP:

The Raipur Group is divided into six formations.

CHARMURIA FORMATION :

It consists of four members mainly comprises flaggy limestones. Clay

intercalations and Cherty bands are common upwardly. Clays are thinly laminated.

GUNDERDEHI FORMATION:

It conformably overlie Charmuria limestones which is dominantly a

calcareous argillite developed as a distinct facies in the sub-basin. It comprises

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purple coloured shales with intercalated limestone. These are highly friable in

character. It grades into black shales. The purple shales are fine to medium,

grained & breaking into splinters. Authigenic glauconite is common. The purple

shales show at places grey shaly units (Murty, 1987).

CHAND/ FORMATION :

It is divided into three members successively Newari, Pendri and

Nipania. This comprises a major stromatolitic limestone sequence developed

around southern side of Hirri subbasin with an arcuate outcrop pattern. In the

west two carbonate members Newari and Pendri fused into a single carbonate

sequence. Chandi formation overlies Gunderdehi shales with a gradational

contact. Das et. a/ (1992) have recognized one more member Deodongar and

positioned equivalent to Pendri member.

NEWARI MEMBER :

It contains pink and light grey limestone, Extensive development of

stromatolitic structure occurs and beds are thick. Dolomitization of limestone

takes place along joints & fissures.

PENDRI MEMBER I DEODONGAR MEMBER :-

It is the heterogenous unit comprising dark grey fine grained

stromatolitic limestone and flaggy limestone associated with green calcareous

shale pockets. The falggy limestone is composed of micrite calcite, clay and

quartz. The clay and fine clastics are alternately arranged, imparting a flaggy

appearance to the rock. The green shale is friable, splintery, calcareous and at

places itself contains columnar stromtolitic structure inclined to bedding plane.

Deodongar member is developed as intercalated ferrugenous arenite unit of

discrete lensoid shape in southern part of Hirri subbasin (Mishra, Rao, 1990).

The rock is coarse fine grained and reddish brown to brown in colour. It is beded

and shows cross bedding and ripple marks. Dull (1964) described a ferrugenous

arenite band as Khairagarh member which is described later as Deodongar

member occurs in Gunderdehi as separate unit and is not correlatable with the

arenite of Khairagarh area. (Das et. al. 1992).

NIPANIA MEMBER :

It compries purple and green bedded limestone with purple shales.

Stromatolites are also present.

TARENGA FORMATION :

This formation consists of pink and purple coloured shales with

interbedded cherts green clays occur as intercalations.

HIRAI FORMATION:

It consists of argillaceous dolomite and grey dolomites with black shale

pockets.

MANIARI FORMATION :

It conformably overlies Hirri formation and composed of purple shale,

dolomite and gypsum intercalations.

2.5 GEOLOGY AROUND RAJNANDGAON & PARRI BASIN :

The study area is underlain by rocks belonging to the Chhattisgarh

supergroup. (Fig. 2.5) Stratigraphically, the investigated area comprises of oldest

Gunderdehi shale formation overlain by Chandi formation. Both are of Raipur

Group rocks. The Gunderdehi formation occurs in southern portion in form of

shale member where as the overlying Chandi formation occupied in north east.

section and comprises limestone (Pendri) and sandstaone of Deodongar

members. Isolated laterite cappings are seen around mounds at some basin

margin areas. Only Raipur Group of Chhattisgarh super group rocks are exposed

21° IS'

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INDEX 2.5 0 2.5 Km

Rocf<. rypes

: _..I Deodongor Sandstone

1,' 1 1

1 11 Chondi Limestone

~----_:-I Gunderdehi Shale

FIG. 2.5 GEOLOGY OF PARRI BASIN

in the investigated area. The geological succession of investigated area around

Rajnandgaon and Parri Nadi Basin has been given in table 2.3. The geological

map is prepared on the basis of literatures, field investigation, photogelogical

mapping and IRS Remote sensing Image interpretation and Dutt, (1964) and

Das et. al, (1992) Murti, (1987) stratigraphic classification.

TABLE 2.3

GEOLOGICAL SUCCESSION AROUND RAJNANDGAON (GENERALISED)

The brief megascopic & microscopic characteristecs of lithotypes,·

outcrops, localities and samples studied are described as follows-

SHALE:

Southern part of the area of Parri basin is occupied by Gunderdehi

shales of Raipur Group. The thickness of shale gradually inereases towards south

of the Parri Basin and around Rajnandgaon city. The ground surface is covered

with thick soil mantle (thickness 5-B metres) and out crops seen only along stream

cutting and dug well section. (Field photo plate 2.1 ). Shales vary in colour from

green to dark brown and purple. These occurs as bands of single colour but at

places these are intermingled in each other and do not show sharp contact. The

purple shale is exposed along Parri Nadi section in lower reaches (Field photo

no. 2.2 & 2.3). The other localities are Ruwatola, Rengankathera, Tilai, Dilapahri

and Dhaba in middle and west part of Parri basin.

Megascopically, it shows pinkish red to greenish grey colour, thin

laminations, fine grained and impermeable nature. It is highly friable and sets of

joints generally developed at right angles. The Purple colour is due to presence

of ferrugenous matter. A brief description of megascopic characters in hand

specimen of shale is given below.

HAND SPECIMEN- CHGS :

It is green coloured, very thinly banded shale with a friable nature. It

splits along plane of laminae. These laminae formed at the time of deposition.

HAND SPECIMEN - Sh 1 :

This is a dark purple coloured shale. The presence of thin bands is

numerous and splits along this plane. It acts as a separation plane and which

form the compositional bands. (Plate 2.1 0).

HAND SPECIMEN - Sh 2 :

This specimen shows gradually a fading out contact between green

and pink shale which is due to increase in ferrugenous materials. (Plate 2.11)

Microscopically, shales are ill sorted, highly ferrugenous with 20-30%

quartz and remains are clayey matter. The compositional bands represents

alternate high ferrugenous and less ferrugenous bands. The quartz grains show

imbrications along compositional bandings. Detrital quartz is highly angular and

micaceous grains presents as minor constituents.

THIN SECTION Sh 1 :

This brown red coloured shale in thin section under polarised light

look like a deep brown spongy mass covenring whole of field viewed. (Plate

2.22).

THIN SECTION- CHGS:

It is a fine granied argillaceous rock composed of detrital granules of

quartz feldspar and mica flakes. Quartz occurs anhedral and angular grains where

as feldsprs are subhedral in shape. (Plate 2.23).

THIN SECTION Sh. 3 :

It is ill sroted, fine grained, abundance of clayey matter. Minute cracks

and inclusions are common in quartz. Brown mica biotite altered into epidote

(light yellow) and limonite has formed as a result of separation of iron oxide.

(Plate 2.24)

THIN SECTION SL 2:

The quartz grains show imbrications along the compositional bandings.

The fine grained groundmass is composed to a great extent by very finely divided

micaceous substance of secondary origin (Plate. 2.25).

LIMESTONE:

The limestone is dark pink to grey in colour and thickly bedded. (Field

photo plate 2.4). Good exposures are found only in nala cutting and quarry section

of north and east margin ot the basin, near Chaweli, Pachperi and Thelkadih .

(Plate 2.6 and 2.8) Presence of Minor shale partings are common features within

limestone beds of varying thickness. Stromatolitic limestones are grey to brown

in colour and intercolumnar space is generally filled with argillaceous carbonate

material. On surface Elephant's skin weathering is common (Plate 2.7). The

limestone outcrops show wide joints, fissures and karstic Features. Secondary

porosity due to joints and solution cavities are well developed in stromtolitic

limestones. Under microscope the limestone composed of sparry carbonate,

Dolomite identified by their rhomb shape (Plate 2.21 ). The characteristics of some

hand specimens are given below.

HANDSPECIMEN CHLS :

This specimen shows algal structure of stromatolytes. It is hard and

compact in nature. Karstic freatures developed along column of stromatolites.

(Plate 2.12).

HAND SPECIMEN LS3:

This specimen is green in colour, fine grained hard and compact with

reddish spotts. This reddish brown of the shade is due to presence of iron. Thin

laminations are common feature and these are indicative of original clastic nature

of calcite. (Plate 2.13).

THIN SECTION LS3:

In thin section the limestones are composed of sparry carbonate

occurring as equidimensional polygonal aggregate forming the mosaic dolomite

grains are identified by their rhomb shape. (Plate 2.19).

THIN SECTION LS1 :

Under microscope this section shows sparry carbonate composed of

big calcite grains occur as irregular bands of varying thickness. Small grains of

iron oxides are common and show dark brown to black colour. Rhombs of dolomite

grains are scattered throughout the limestone. Calcite stylolite vein extends E-W

direction. {Plate 2.20 ) in the middle of the field and limestone shows micrite and

dolomite rhomb.

SANDSTONE :

Ferrugenous glauconitic sand stone exposed as capping rock in north

east mound of the Parri Basin. Good exposures are found to the east of Chaweli

- Muhrumkhurd road {Plate 2.5 & 2.9). The outcrops occur 330 meters above

mean sea level and due to highly ferrugeuous nature it has been affected by

intensive weathering and occurs as thin platy laminations. Two sets of joints are

common of which N-S is prominent direction in the study area {Plate 2.9). The

sanstone is well sorted, with subrounded to rounded quartz grains, having

authingenic over growth {Plate 2.16). It is coarse grained with ferrugenous

cementing material, low angle cross bedding is common feature. Mineralogically,

the rock is composed of 90% quartz, about 5% glauconite, 2.5°io feldspar and

heavy minerals. The general modal composition of sandstone range as follows

Qartz 70-80%, Chert 10-15%, Feldspar 10-12%, Cement- 1-2%.

HAND SPECIMEN SS1:

The colour varies from dark brown to red. The rock is hard & compact.

It is coarse granied ferrugenous sandstone with colour bands. It has siliceous

cementing material. (Plate 2.14)

THIN SECTION SS1:

It shows moderately sorted coarse grained nature of the rock. The

subangular and subrounded quartz grains are closely arranged with recrystallized

siliceous cementing material. The grain size vary from 0.1 to 0.04 mm. Authigenic

overgrowth around quartz grains are very commom. A chain of inclusion

26

(commonly dark coloured) defining the overgrowth outline of the grain.

(Plate 1. 7).

THIN SECTION SS2 :

The quartz grains are subrounded. A good proprotion of elongated

quartz grains are present. Larger grains have relatively smooth and sub rounded

outline. Undulose extinction is not common. Most of the quartz grains contain

small inclusions. Small cracks have also been recorded. (Plate 2.18).

LATERITE:

Laterite occurs as cappings over mounds of sandstone and uplands

in water divide zone. It is scattered throughout the basin. The thickness vary

from place to place to and range is 0.025 meters to 2.00 meters. The pisolites

are medium sized and vary in colour from deep red to black.

ALLUVIUM:

Recent alluvium in Parri Basin confined mainly along river course where

sinuosity and meandering is prominent. In Seonath river old paleochannels

marked near Bharregaon. Thickness of alluvium in flood plains vary from 2 to 6

meters. Extensive land use is common feature in these old flood plains. Alluvium

contains medium to fine sand, silt and clay contents. Sedimentary concretionary

nodules of recent origin commonly occurs in Parri stream (Piate-2.15).

PLATE 2.1 HORIZONTALLY BEDDED YELLOW GUNDERDEHI SHALES UP STREAM NALA CUTTING, LOCATION CHAITUKHAPRI. .

PLATE 2.2. DEBRIS OF GUNDERDEHI SHALE EXPOSURE IN DOWN STREAM PARRI FLOOD PLAIN, EAST OF RAJNANDGAON. OF

PLATE 2.3. GUNDERDEHI SHALE EXPOSURE IN RIVER BED SHOWING JOINTS: NNW • SSE TREND AT SOUTH MANKI, LOWER REACHES OF PARRI NADI.

I

PLATE 2.4. THICK BEDDED GREY LIMESTONE (PACHPERI MINE).

PLATE 2.5 OCCURRENCE OF SANDSTONE AS THIN PLATY CAPPING OVERLIES THE THICK MASSIVE LIMESTONE.

PLATE 2.6 MASSIVE, THICK, HORIZONTAL TO LOW DIP (2° NE), GREY LIMESTONE, LOCATION CHAWELI QUARRY.

P L A T E 2.7. ELEPHANT'S SKIN WEATHER ING IN RAIPUR LIMESTONE EXPOSURE ALONG NALA CUTTitJIG EAST PARRI, LOCATION 15 KM MILE STONE RAJNANDGAO N • KHAIRAGARH ROAD.

PLATE 2.8. HORIZON T AL BEDDING PLANES AND VERTICAL JOINTS IN LIMESTO NE LOCATION CHAWELI.

PLATE 2.9 FIELD PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING DEODONGAR SANDSTONE WITH PROMINENT JOINTS TREND, N-S, NEAR CHAWELI • MUHRUMKHURD ROAD.

PLATE 2.10. FINE GRAINED, FERRUGENOUS RED COLOURED GUNDERDEHI SHALES, SHOWJNG AL TERNATJNG FORMATION BANDS.

PLATE 2.1 1. COLO UR V ARIATION FRO M P IN K TO GREY I N G UNDERDEHI SHALES.

PLATE 2 .12. LIMESTONE SHOWING STROMATOLITIC STRUCTURE, SECONDARY MATERAILS DEPOSITED ALONG INTER COLOUMNS OF THIS

PLATE 2.13. PINK G~EENISH GREY STROMATOLITIC LIMESTONE.

PLATE 2.14. RED, COMPACT, SILICEOUS DEODONGAR SANDSTONE.

PLATE 2.15. SEDIMENTARY CONCRETION NODULES OF PARRI NADI BED.

PLATE 2.16. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF DEODONGAR SANDSTONE SHOWING SECONDARY GROWTH IN QUARTZ GRAINS (C.N .40X)

PLATE 2.17. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF COARSE GRAINED, DEODONCAR SAN DSTONE , SHOWING SUBROUNDED QUARTZ GRAIN, ALTERATION OF GLAUCONITE INTO IRON OXIDE. (P.L. 40X).

PLATE 2.18. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF SANDSTONE SHOWING LARGER CRAIN, SMO OTH AND SUBROUNDED SHAPE. SMALL INCLUSIONS AND CRAC KS ARE COMMON IN SANDSTONE (C.N. 40X)

PLATE 2.19 PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF LIMESTONE SHOWING MICRITE AND DOLOMITE RHOMB (C. N. 40X)

PLATE 2.20. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF LIMESTONE SH OWING CALCITE VEINS (STYLOLITE VEIN) (C.N. 40X)

PLATE 2.21 LIMESTONE COMPOSED OF SPARRY CARBONATE. DOLOMITE IDENTIFIED BY THEIR RHOMB SHAPE (C. N. 40X)

PLATE 2.22. GUNDERDEHI SHALES SHOWING SPONGE TEXTURE FELDSPAR GRAINS IN CENTRE (P. l. 40 X)

PLATE 2.23. FINE GRA INED GUNDERDEHI SHALES, DETRITAL GRAINS OF QUARTZ, FELDSPAR AND MICA GRAINS ARE COMMON (P. L.' 40X)

PLATE 2.24. ILL SORTED FINE GRAINED SHALES, BROWN MICA BIOTITE ALTERED IN TO EPIDOTE (LIGHT YELLOW) (C. N . 40 X)

PLATE 2.25. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF SHALE : QUARTZ GRAIN SHOWING IMBRICATION ALONG THE COMPOSITIONAL BANDINGS. (C. N. 40 X). •