Late pleistocene geomorphological history of rivers of Western Maharashtra

Observations made during archaeological work at sites associated with alluvial deposits, and engineering geology investigations at dam sites on rivers in Western Maharashtra indicate that the complexity of palaeoclimatic and geomorphic developments in this region during recent times has not been fully recognised. The rivers show unmistakable signs of recent rejuvenation. They have deepended their channels upto 75 feet through alluvial deposits and bedrock basalts, and gorges and entrenched meanders are common. The alluvium is predominantly silty with irregular patches and lenses of sandy and pebbly material. Stone tools and animal fossils found in the alluvial deposits indicate a late Pleistocene age for them. The rivers at the beginning of the period under consideration must have been aggrading with extensive flood plains, heavier sediment loads and higher discharges in a wetter climate. After having covered their flood plains with thick alluvial deposits the streams were rejuvenated, possibly through epeirogenic uplift and then the present superimposed drainage pattern developed. Most streams are misfits in their valleys, and it is necessary to investigate whether any drainage changes have taken place in recent times.