Sedimentologic attributes of the Proterozoic siliciclastic packages of the Garhwal–Kumaun Lesser Himalaya,India: Implication for their relationship and palaeobasinal conditions

The present work addresses the long-standing issues on the characterization aspect of the Proterozoic siliciclastic successions exposed in the central part of the Lesser Himalaya, restricted between the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Main Central Thrust (MCT). Geologic, sedimentologic, and petrographic study divides the Lesser Himalaya in two zones- northern Palaeo- Mesoproterozoic Inner Lesser Himalayan (ILH) and southern Neoproterozoic Outer Lesser Himalayan (OLH) zones. The major lithofacies recognized from the zones are - (i) coarse grained siliciclastic (CGS), (ii) interbedded medium and fine-grained siliciclastic (IMFS), (iii) argillite (ARG), and (iv) siliciclastic–argillite rhythmites (SAR). Amongst all these facies, the nearshore IMFS facies shows consistent presence in both OLH and ILH zones. From the facies distribution pattern, a northwest–southeasterly trending palaeo- shoreline has been envisaged. The CGS facies in the ILH hints towards an alluvial fan setting during 1.8 Ga rifting phase associated with penecontemporaneous basic magmatism. Compositionally, the siliciclastics of both the zones (ILH and OLH) are arenite and wacke types with minimal variation in their detrital proportions, derived from the early Proterozoic (between 2.4-1.6Ga) Aravalli-Delhi Supergroup provenance. Nearly matching types and content of detrital modes and the lithofacies pattern of the ILH and OLH siliciclastics probably conclude the derivation from the rising (nearby) Aravalli-Delhi orogen and deposition in a foreland like situation.     

Geomorphic characteristics of a bedrock river inferred from drainage quantification,longitudinal profile,knickzone identification and concavity analysis: a DEM-based study

An examination of river channels has ability to provide substantial information regarding the geomorphic characteristics, control of lithology, tectonic uplift and geomorphic evolution during the geological past of an area. In this paper, a detailed study of geomorphic and structural investigation has been carried out for Pravara basin, Maharashtra, with the help of 90-m resolution SRTM DEM and geospatial techniques. Drainage network analysis performed in this paper demonstrates the general geomorphic characteristics, while the analysis of longitudinal profile synthesises lithological control over Pravara basin. Pravara is a 6th order drainage basin, encompassing an area of 2637 km². Bifurcation ratio reveals low to moderate structural control. Due to the hard rock lithology, the drainage density and stream frequency are low, and it indicates higher permeability in the sub-surface layers. The shape parameters denote that Pravara is highly elongated and it is easier to control floods in this basin. Relief parameters show very steep slope and higher vulnerability to the slope failure in some areas. Upstream of Pravara river has shown that series of breaks and knickzones indicate active erosion and acute lithological control on the channel. Major breaks are observed only in the main channel whereas in two major tributaries, no such breaks found, instead these tributaries are characterised by several knickzones which indicate regional variation in the lithological physiognomies. Different lithological stages on knickpoint and channel incision substantiate rejuvenation of Pravara river in several phases during geological past. The geospatial methodology carried out in this study can be pragmatic elsewhere around this world to recognise the geomorphic appearances and lithological control of a drainage basin.     

Correction to: Effect of time and space partitioning strategies of samples on regional landslide susceptibility modelling

Landslides - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01646-0.     

Effect of time and space partitioning strategies of samples on regional landslide susceptibility modelling

Landslides - Assessment of the spatial probability of future landslide occurrences for disaster risk reduction is done through landslide susceptibility modelling. In this study, we investigated the...     

Geospatial landslide inventory of India—an insight into occurrence and exposure on a national scale

Landslides - India ranks first in the world in terms of fatal landslides. Large vulnerable area (0.42 million km2), high population density and monsoon rainfall make India’s landslide...     

Spatial–temporal variability and hydrologic connectivity of runoff generation areas in a North Alabama pasture—implications for phosphorus transport

This study delineated spatially and temporally variable runoff generation areas in the Sand Mountain region pasture of North Alabama under natural rainfall conditions, and demonstrated that hydrologic connectivity is important for generating hillslope response when infiltration‐excess (IE) runoff mechanism dominates. Data from six rainfall events (13·7–32·3 mm) on an intensively instrumented pasture hillslope (0·12 ha) were analysed. Analysis of data from surface runoff sensors, tipping bucket rain gauge and HS‐flume demonstrated spatial and temporal variability in runoff generation areas. Results showed that the maximum runoff generation area, which contributed to runoff at the outlet of the hillslope, varied between 67 and 100%. Furthermore, because IE was the main runoff generation mechanism on the hillslope, the data showed that as the rainfall intensity changed during a rainfall event, the runoff generation areas expanded or contracted. During rainfall events with high‐intensity short‐ to medium‐duration, 4–8% of total rainfall was converted to runoff at the outlet. Rainfall events with medium‐ to low‐intensity, medium‐duration were found less likely to generate runoff at the outlet. In situ soil hydraulic conductivity (k) was measured across the hillslope, which confirmed its effect on hydrologic connectivity of runoff generation areas. Combined surface runoff sensor and k‐interpolated data clearly showed that during a rainfall event, lower k areas generate runoff first, and then, depending on rainfall intensity, runoff at the outlet is generated by hydrologically connected areas. It was concluded that in IE‐runoff‐dominated areas, rainfall intensity and k can explain hydrologic response. The study demonstrated that only connected areas of low k values generate surface runoff during high‐intensity rainfall events. Identification of these areas would serve as an important foundation for controlling nonpoint source pollutant transport, especially phosphorus. The best management practices can be developed and implemented to reduce transport of phosphorus from these hydrologically connected areas. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cation diffusion in aluminosilicate garnets: experimental determination in pyrope-almandine diffusion couples

Diffusion couples made from homogeneous gem quality natural pyrope and almandine garnets were annealed within graphite capsules under anhydrous conditions at 22–40 kbar, 1057–1400 °C in a piston-cylinder apparatus. The concentration profiles that developed in each couple were modeled to retrieve the self diffusion coefficients [D(I)] of the divalent cations Fe, Mg, Mn and Ca. Because of their usually low concentrations and lack of sufficient compositional change across the interface of the diffusion couples, only a few reliable data can be obtained for D(Ca) and D(Mn) from these experiments. However, nine sets of D(Fe) and D(Mg) data were retrieved in the above P-T range, and cast in the form of Arrhenian relation, D=D ₀exp{−[Q(1 bar)+PΔV ⁺]/RT}. The values of the activation energy (Q) and activation volume (ΔV ⁺) depend on whether f _O2 is constrained by graphite in the system C-O or held constant. For the first case, we have for Fe:Q(1 bar)=65,532±10,111 cal/mol, D ₀=3.50 (±2.30)×10⁻⁵ cm²/s, ΔV ⁺=5.6(±2.9) cm³/mol, and for Mg:Q(1 bar)=60,760±8,257 cal/mol, D ₀=4.66 (±2.48)×10⁻⁵ cm²/s, ΔV ⁺=5.3(±3.0) cm³/mol. Here the ΔV ⁺ values have been taken from Chakraborty and Ganguly (1992). For the condition of constant f _O2, the Q values are ∼9 kcal lower and ΔV ⁺ values are ∼4.9 cm³/mol larger than the above values. Lower temperature extrapolation of the Arrhenian relation for D(Mg) is in good agreement with the Mg tracer diffusion data (D ^* _Mg) of Chakraborty and Rubie (1996) and Cygan and Lasaga (1985) at 1 bar, 750–900 °C, when all data are normalized to the same pressure and to f _O2 defined by graphite in the system C-O. The D ^* _Mg data of Schwandt et al. (1995), on the other hand, are lower by more than an order of magnitude than the low temperature extrapolation of the present data, when all data are normalized to the same pressure and to f _O2 defined by the graphite buffer. Comparison of the D(Fe), D(Mg) and D(Mn) data in the pyrope-almandine diffusion couple with those in the spessartine-almandine diffusion couple of Chakraborty and Ganguly (1992) shows that the self diffusion of Fe and Mn are significantly enhanced with the increase in Mn/Mg ratio; the enhancement effect on D(Mg) is, however, relatively small. Proper application of the self diffusion data to calculate interdiffusion coefficient or D matrix elements for the purpose of modeling of diffusion processes in natural garnets must take into account these compositional effects on D(I) along with the effects of thermodynamic nonideality, f _O2, and pressure. Received: 8 May 1997 / Accepted: 2 October 1997     

New observations on Rajahmundry Traps of the Krishna-Godavari Basin

The Rajahmundry Traps of the Krishna Godavari Basin (K-G Basin) consist of three distinct basalt flows interbedded with two intertrappean sedimentary horizons, which in turn are underlain by the late Cretaceous fossiliferous limestone bed (infratrappean) and overlain by the Cenozoic Rajahmundry Formation (conglomerate/sandstone). Among the three, the lower flow is characterized by the presence of the physical volcanological features such as rootless cones, tumuli and dyke like forms along with single to multitier columnar and radial jointing. The middle and upper flows are simple, massive and vesicular and exhibit spheroidal weathering. Physical volcanological features and lithological attributes indicate that the lower flow was formed by an explosive volcanic activity in hydrous environment, followed by sub aerial eruption to form the middle and upper flows. The fossiliferous limestone bed is a representative horizon for the K-T boundary mass extinction caused due to intense volcanism. Intertrappean sediments exhibit weathered soil profiles (palaeosols) with limestone beds denoting a distinct time gap during various phases of lava eruption. Evaluation of the palaeogeographic scenario of the Krishna and Godavari Rivers does not provide any evidence for the existence of Cretaceous palaeovalley which would have provided pathway for lava transportation from the Deccan volcanic province of western India to the K-G Basin situated along the east coast. The present study opens up an alternative approach to explain the origin of basalt flows at Rajahmundry. In all probability the lavas could be intrabasinal. NW-SE and NESW faults or their intersection zones are probable pathways for lava eruption in the K-G Basin.     

A numerical study on the role of atmospheric forcing on mixed layer depth variability in the Bay of Bengal using a regional ocean model

Ocean Dynamics - This study investigates the role of driving atmospheric forces [winds, net heat flux, and evaporation–precipitation (E–P)] and the possible mechanisms on the mixed...