Lithostratigraphic development and neotectonic significance of the Quaternary sediments along the Kachchh Mainland Fault (KMF) zone,western India |
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Authors: | V CHOWKSEY D M MAURYA PARUL JOSHI N KHONDE ARCHANA DAS L S CHAMYAL |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Geology,The M. S. University of Baroda,Vadodara,India |
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Abstract: | The Kachchh Mainland Fault (KMF) is a major E–W trending seismically active fault of the Kachchh palaeorift basin whose neotectonic
evolution is not known. The present study deals with the eastern part of the KMF zone where the fault is morphologically expressed
as steep north facing scarps and is divisible into five morphotectonic segments. The Quaternary sediments occurring in a narrow
zone between the E–W trending KMF scarps and the flat Banni plain to the north are documented. The sediments show considerable
heterogeneity vertically as well as laterally along the KMF zone. (The Quaternary sediments for a northward sloping and are
exposed along the north flowing streams which also show rapid decrease in the depth of incision in the same direction.) The
deposits, in general, comprise coarse as well as finer gravelly deposits, sands and aeolian and fluvial miliolites. The Quaternary
sediments of the KMF zone show three major aggradation phases. The oldest phase includes the colluvio-fluvial sediments occurring
below the miliolites. These deposits are strikingly coarse grained and show poor sorting and large angular clasts of Mesozoic
rocks. The sedimentary characteristics indicate deposition, dominantly by debris flows and sediment gravity flows, as small
coalescing alluvial fans in front of the scarps. These deposits suggest pre-miliolite neotectonic activity along the KMF.
The second aggradation phase comprises aeolian miliolites and fluvially reworked miliolites that have been previously dated
from middle to late Pleistocene. The youngest phase is the post-miliolite phase that includes all deposits younger than miliolite.
These are represented by comparatively finer sandy gravels, gravelly sands and sand. The sediment characteristics suggest
deposition in shallow braided stream channels under reduced level of neotectonic activity along the KMF during post-miliolite
time evidenced by vertical dips of miliolites and tilting of gravels near the scarps. The tectonically controlled incision
and dissection of the Quaternary deposits is the result of neotectonic activity that continues at present day. The overall
nature, sedimentary characteristics and geomorphic setting of the sediments suggest that the KMF remained neotectonically
active throughout the Quaternary period. |
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