Geological Society of India Bangalore

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Geological Society of India Bangalore     

Scanning electron microscopy of Assam coals,India

An examination on the structural features of some coal samples from Makum coalfield, Assam (India) were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy. The morphological characteristics of the macerals were recognized. Collinite was recognizable by its angular shape with characteristic fracture patterns and striated or laminated surfaces. Sporinite particles showed no well-defined shape. Fusinite was remarkable in having a chunky needle form. Chemical and petrographic characteristics of these coals also have been reported. These findings have shown prime importance in fingerprinting the physical structure of these coals.     

香港世界地质公园碎斑熔岩柱状节理构造特征

在香港世界地质公园西贡火山岩园区,白垩纪粮船湾组流纹质碎斑熔普遍发育完整的柱状节理,构成世界上面积最大的石柱群。在详细野外观察与测量基础上,了粮船湾组石柱群柱状节理构造特征,探讨了成因。石柱截面形态以六边形为主,少量五边形及不规则状,直径以13m为主;完整的单个石柱高一般2030m;石柱整体向NW和SW陡倾。粮船湾组火山岩非全部发育柱状节理,按发育程度可分为极发育、一般发育和不发育三种类型通过统计大量原生柱面产状,各个方向的柱面均有发育,其无序性符合冷凝收缩成因模式后期次生构造及海蚀作用对原生柱状节理有一定程度的。     

Alkaline rocks of Samchampi-Samteran, District Karbi-Anglong, Assam, India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline igneous complex (SAC) is a near circular, plug-like body approximately 12 km² area and is emplaced into the Precambrian gneissic terrain of the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. The host rocks, which are exposed in immediate vicinity of the intrusion, comprise granite gneiss, migmatite, granodiorite, amphibolite, pegmatite and quartz veins. The SAC is composed of a wide variety of lithologies identified as syenitic fenite, magnetite ± perovskite ± apatite rock, alkali pyroxenite, ijolite-melteigite, carbonatite, nepheline syenite with leucocratic and mesocratic variants, phonolite, volcanic tuff, phosphatic rock and chert breccia. The magnetite ± perovskite ± apatite rock was generated as a cumulus phase owing to the partitioning of Ti, Fe at a shallow level magma chamber (not evolved DI = O1). The highly alkaline hydrous fluid activity indicated by the presence of strongly alkalic minerals in carbonatites and associated alkaline rocks suggests that the composition of original melt was more alkalic than those now found and represent a silica undersaturated ultramafic rock of carbonated olivine-poor nephelinite which splits with falling temperature into two immiscible fractions—one ultimately crystallises as alkali pyroxenite/ijolite and the other as carbonatite. The spatial distribution of varied lithotypes of SAC and their genetic relationships suggests that the silicate and carbonate melts, produced through liquid immiscibility, during ascent generated into an array of lithotypes and also reaction with the country rocks by alkali emanations produced fenitic aureoles (nephelinisation process). Isotopic studies (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) on carbonatites of Samchampi have indicated that the δ¹³C of the source magma is related to contamination from recycled carbon.     

Relationship of gravity anomalies and tectonics in Assam, India

Gravity data from Assam compiled on Bouguer, Hayford and Airy isostatic anomaly maps have been interpreted in terms of tectonics of the area. The gravity anomalies suggest that the Dauki fault is very deep-seated. A gravity high of about 60 mGal near Haflong is interpreted as being the expression of an intrusive body with a density contrast of about + 0.15 g/cm₃ with respect to the surroundings. From isostatic considerations, approximate crustal thicknesses over the Shillong Plateau, the Upper Assam valley and the Surma valley are estimated to be 40, 29 and 22 km respectively, suggesting a sharp change in crustal thickness from the Shillong Plateau to the Surma valley across the Dauki fault.     

Chemographic relationships in sapphirine-bearing rocks from Sonapahar,Assam, India

Silica-deficient rocks in which sapphirine coexists with cordierite, gedrite, chondrodite, spinel, corundum and phlogopite in various parageneses, occur in association with cordierite-garnet-sillimanitebearing granulitic gneisses in a Precambrian metamorphic terrain displaying amphibolite-granulite transition facies. Brucite coexists with spinel and corundum and its unusual stability in this environment has been attributed to its significant fluorine content. Kornerupine occurs as armoured relics within cordierite in one sample of the sapphirine-spinel-cordierite-phlogopite-bearing rock. Sapphirines (X Mg 0.77 to 0.92) plot near the 793 composition.X Mg varies in the order: chondrodite and brucite>gedrite>cordierite >phlogopite>sapphirine>spinel.The consistent topology of the observed mineral assemblages with reference to the system MgO-FeO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O, systematic partitioning of Mg and Fe in the coexisting phases, and textural relations are in accord with attainment of chemical equilibrium during the regional metamorphism. The sequence of metamorphic reactions has been deduced as a function of changing MgO/(MgO+FeO) ratio in the bulk composition and it has been shown that the topology in the SiO₂-(FeO+MgO)-Al₂O₃ diagram for more magnesian compositions is consistent with experimental data in the system MgO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-H₂O. The stable occurrence of the spinel-cordierite and spinel-sillimanite joins in less magnesian bulk compositions suggests that these tie lines are stable to higher pressures and lower temperatures respectively as compared to the Fe-free synthetic system.Using experimental and theoretical data on garnet-cordierite, garnet-biotite, garnet-plagioclase and orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene equilibria, PT conditions have been estimated to be 750 °±50 °C/ 5±0.5 Kb for the thermal peak of metamorphism.It is suggested that the unusual bulk composition of the sapphirine-bearing rocks viz. higher Al₂O₃, MgO and MgO/(MgO+FeO) and lower SiO₂, Na₂O and CaO compared to the parent cordierite-bearing granulitic gneisses may be attributed to partial melting and removal of granitic melt. This is in agreement with the variation of oxides in the restites and parent rock. The restites consisted of the assemblage cordierite-spinel—corundum which then reacted to form sapphirine. This reaction, which in the synthetic Fe-free system is confined to extremely low-pressures (300 bars), is likely to occur at higher pressures with MgFe substitution.     

Palm leaves from the Late Oligocene sediments of Makum Coalfield, Assam, India

Two new palm leaf impressions, cf. Iguanura wallichiana and Palmacites makumensis sp. nov. are described from the Makum Coalfield, Tinsukia District, Assam. They belong to the Tikak Parbat Formation being considered as Late Oligocene (Chattian 28?C23?Myr) in age. Their presence, along with the other known fossil records indicates that CMMT (cold month mean temperature) was not less than 18°C with plenty of rainfall, in the region during the period of deposition.     

Geology of the area around Dharmsala,Kangra District,H. P., India

In the present paper an attempt has been made to describe the geology of the area around Dharmsala, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh. The stratigraphic position of the problematic horizons, i. e., Dharmkot Limestone and Dharmsala Traps is discussed in detail.     

Holocene climatic fluctuations from Lower Brahmaputra flood plain of Assam,northeast India

Pollen analysis of a 3.2-m deep sedimentary profile cored from the Dabaka Swamp, Nagaon District, Lower Brahmaputra flood plain, Assam has revealed persistent fluvial activity during 14,120–12,700 cal years BP which may be attributed to the paucity of pollen and spores with encounterance of fluvial marker taxa like Ludwigia octavalvis and Botryococcus. Later, fluvial activity was succeeded by the tropical tree savanna under cool and dry climate between 12,700 and 11,600 cal years BP corresponding to that of global Younger Dryas. Between 11,600 and 8310 cal years BP, relatively less cool and dry climate prevailed with inception of tropical mixed deciduous taxa like Shorea robusta and Lagerstroemia parviflora. This phase is further followed by a fluvial activity between 8310 and 7100 cal years BP as evidenced by trace values of pollen and spores. Fluvial activity was further succeeded by enrichment of tropical mixed deciduous forest under warm and humid climatic regime between 7100 and 1550 cal years BP which is well-matched with the peak period of the Holocene climatic optimum. However, during 1550–768 cal years BP, final settlement of tropical mixed deciduous forest occurred under increased warm and humid climate followed by deterioration in tropical mixed deciduous forest under warm and relatively dry climatic regime since 768 cal years BP onwards due to acceleration in human settlement as evidenced by Cerealia. Increase in Melastoma, Ziziphus and Areca catechu imply forest clearance at this phase. The occurrence of degraded pollen-spore along with adequate fungal elements especially, Xylaria, Nigrospora and Microthyriaceous fruiting body is suggestive of aerobic microbial digenesis of rich organic debris during sedimentation.     

Structural controls on topography and river morphodynamics in Upper Assam Valley,India

The basement in Upper Assam foreland basin exhibits a typical flexure pattern. An elongated continuous subsurface basement high has developed between Himalaya and Naga-Patkai ranges. A few prominent basement lows have developed adjacent to the foothill regions. It is noticed that the general topographic slope near the foothill regions is not only controlled by aggradation process, but also influenced by the flexured basement of the region. The basement lows have influenced the overlying topography significantly. Rivers flowing over those regions have shown unidirectional lateral migration. North bank tributaries like Subansiri, Jiadhal and Dikrang have been affected by the Subansiri basement low. Coseismic subsidence of sediments over Subansiri basement low had resulted subsidence of the North Lakhimpur-Ranga Nadi region in 1950 Assam earthquake. Some south bank tributaries like Disang and Dikhow have been affected by Nazira basement low. Topographic elevation along the Subansiri river is lower than that part of the Brahmaputra located south of Majuli. This typical topographic setting of the region makes the mouth of the Subansiri river and Majuli region highly susceptible to erosion.