Geological geomorphological-studies-kachchh-bhuj-report

NIMISHA VERMA TY B.SC (2013-14) , ROLL NUMBER-441, BATCH-C , DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
1
GEOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES AROUND BHUJ & KACHCHH, GUJARAT
ESSENCE
Evidence suggests that field trips to rock outcrops play a
fundamental role in facilitating understanding of geological
concepts.
There are tremendous, epic tales lying in the rocks we walk over
every day and to learn how to read those stories on their own, one
technique for developing these conceptual skills is the field trip.
Instructors
Dr. Tanuuja Marathe
Dr. S.N.Mude
Prof. Devdutt Upasani
Prof. A.Dashputre

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CERTIFICATE
This is certify that Miss Nimisha Verma has participated and successfully completed the field
visit to parts of Kachchh and Ahmedabad, Gujarat from 6th January 2014 to 15th January
2014 as a part of syllabus of T.Y.B.Sc. Geology laid by the University of Pune for the
academic year 2013-14.
Tour in-charge: Head of Department:
Dr. Tanuuja Marathe Dr. R. N. Mache

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January 28, 2014
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
At the first instance, I would like to acknowledge a deep sense of gratitude to our Principal Dr.
Ravindrasinh G. Pardeshi for granting us permission to undertake the study tour. I would also like to
thank our Head of Department, Dr. R. N. Mache for his guidance and encouragement during the
planning of this study tour.
I would like to express my gratefulness to Dr. Tanuuja Marathe, for arranging a geologically fascinating
and a very enjoyable field tour which has given us so many good memories, that we will cherish
forever. I would also like to thank our teachers Dr. S. N. Mude, Prof. D. V. Upasani and Prof. Ameya
Dashputre for their valuable guidance in the field. The discussions we had with them were very helpful
to understand the subject better.
My special thanks to Dr. Mahesh Thakkar, Head, Department of Earth and Environmental Studies,
KSKV Kachchh University for his inputs on stratigraphy and geomorphology of the region. His lecture
on ‘The Geology and Tectonics of Kachchh’ gave us a clear picture about the deposition history of the
sediments and tectonics of Kachcch basin.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Mr. Gaurav Chauhan, for his guidance in planning of the
field traverses. My special thanks to Mr. Vanit and Mr. Pravin for accompanying us to the geologically
important places around Kachchh and also giving us information on the field during the entire field
work. I would thank Mr. Yashvir for arrangement of our logistics.
I would like to appreciate the assistance offered by the nonteaching staff of the department, especially
Mr. Mangesh Mahade and Mr. Manoj Taware during the fieldwork.
Last but not the least; I thank all my classmates for making this study tour one of the most memorable
tour of my life.
Thanking you,
Sincerely,
NIMISHA VERMA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATE …………………………………………………………………..2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT …………………………………………………………..3
INTRODUCTION, BENEFITS, ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR RECORDING AND
COLLECTING FIELD DATA……………………………………………………..…..5
GEOGRAPHY & GEOMORPHOLOGY OF KACHCHH……………………………6
PREVIUOS WORK LITERETURE…………………………………………………….8
CLIMATE…………………………………………………………………………...9
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF KACHCHH-MAINLAND………………………...10
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF KACHCHH-PACHHAM ISLAND………………...11
TERTIARY STRATIGRAPHY OF KACHCHH………………………………………..12
DAY1…………………………………………………………………………….13
DAY2…………………………………………………………………………….21
DAY3…………………………………………………………………………….24
DAY4…………………………………………………………………………….27
DAY5…………………………………………………………………………….28
DAY6…………………………………………………………………………….30
CONCLUSION & LIST OF SPECIMEN..…………………………………………...33
REFERENCES....…………………………………………………………………...34

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INTRODUCTION
In geology more than most sciences, field trips are seen as a technique to developing a proper sense of
space, scale and time. Lathrop & Ebbett assert that “the essence of field experience is fundamental”
both for geology student & for “anyone who is drawn to explore the enormity of earth history that
scientific inquiry can reveal”
BENEFITS
Field experiences are an important part of the life of the geosciences student & professional. Visiting to
fields helps students to see fundamental relationships & to learn to observe, collect & interpret data.
Field trips often form the social backbone of geosciences departments, bringing students & faculty
together to learn. Field trips can be the highlight of an elementary student’s year. Similarly, field trips
are an integral part of the professional geoscientists’ ongoing professional development providing
opportunities to see new & familiar areas.
Other benefits cited by field trip researchers include experience working with maps, diagrams, and field
equipments, socialization among colleagues and among students, and the development of a rapport
between teachers & students. Additionally, other benefits include a positive attitude toward the science
as a general concept & positive attitudes towards specific field trip locations.
If we need to conclude the outcome of the field trip, four points emerges out:
1) Field trips are important part of geological learning process.
2) Best geology field trips involve elements of both instructor lead explanation & student centered
exploration/discovery.
3) Geology field trips impart an important place beyond simply teaching science concepts.
4) Reviewing the trip afterwards is an important activity for cementing observations &
interpretations into a sense of conceptual understanding.
If I self assessed, I find improvement in categories i.e. sedimentary rock interpretation, metamorphic
rock interpretation, understanding plate tectonics, understanding landscape change and understanding
river processes.
ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR RECORDING AND COLLECTING FIELD DATA
1) A Geologist’s Hammer
2) Clinometers/Brunton Compass/GPS
3) Toposheet and geological map of the area
4) Camera
5) Haversacks
6) A pair of chisels
7) Field note-book
8) Writing & drawing material
9) Measuring tapes
10)Magnifying lenses
11)Polythene bags & marker pens

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1 GEOGRAPHY & GEOMORPHOLOGY OF KACHCHH
1.1 LOCATION INFORMATION
The Rann of KACHCHH is a seasonally marshy region located in the Thar Desert biogeographic province
in Gujarat state of northwestern India and the Sind province of Pakistan. This inhospitable salty
lowland, rich in natural gas and a resting site for migratory Siberian birds, is part of India and
Pakistan’s ongoing border dispute concerning Sir Creek. The name “Rann” comes from the Hindi word
“ran” meaning “salt marsh”. Kachchh is the name of the district wherein it is situated. The Rann of
Kachchh comprises some 10,000 square miles (30,000 km2) between the Gulf of Kachchh and the
mouth of the Indus River in southern Pakistan. The Luni River, which originates in Rajasthan, empties
into the northeast corner of the Rann. Salt pool In India’s summer monsoon, the flat desert of salty
clay and mudflats, averaging 15 meters above sea level, fill with standing waters, interspersed with
sandy islets of thorny scrub, breeding grounds for some of the largest flocks of Greater and Lesser
flamingoes. At its greatest extent, the Gulf of Kachchh on the west (visible in the image directly below
the salt marshes) and the Gulf of Cambay on the east (the brown, sediment-tinged body of water on
the lower right) are both united during the monsoon.
`
FIGURE 1 SATELLITE VIEW OF KACHCHH REGION
1.2 GEOMORPHOLOGY
The Kachchh landscape comprises an array of tectonogenic geomorphic elements in the form of uplifts
and residual depressions. Elevated landforms are occupied by Mesozoic and Tertiary rocks, whereas
the residual depressions or low-lying regions between the uplifts consist of Quaternary sediment
successions marked alluvial river terraces in the rocky mainland and the mud-flats and salt pans in the
Great and Little Ranns and Banni Plains. Sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Jurassic to Eocene age
cover Kachcch region. These sediments have a zone of Deccan trap volcanics sandwiched between

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Jurassic rocks of the northern part and Eocene sedimentary in the south towards the coast.
Limestones, shales and sandstones are the most common rocks.
FIGURE 2 GEOLOGICAL MAP OF KACHCHH
Both Eocene and Jurassic rocks are fossiliferous. The Eocene rocks are exposed along the southern
fringe of the Kachcch peninsula as a thin band bounded by Deccan traps on the north.
The northern part of the Kachcch peninsula is covered by Recent marine deposits on which Jurassic
rocks form outcrops. The coastal areas have thick alluvial and marine sediments of recent origin. This
area seems to be undergoing some marine recession. A major paleo-rift valley lies along the east west
direction passing through the Kachcch region.
FIGURE 3 GEOLOGICAL MAP OF KACHCHH FIGURE 4 TOURIST MAP OF KACHCHH

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PREVIOUS WORK LITERATURE
Kachchh basin is a pericratonic rift basin in the western margin of India, which has preserved almost a
complete sequence of rocks from Triassic to Recent, punctuated by several stratigraphic breaks
between transgressive cycles.
Mesozoic rocks of Kachchh were first mapped by Wynne (1872) who classified the sequence into upper
and lower Jurassic Groups. Waagen (1875) proposed the popular four-fold subdivisions, namely,
Pachchham, Chari, Katrol and Umia Series. Rajnath (1932) restricted the term, Umia only to the lower
Umia of the Waggen; the upper Umia made up of non-marine beds with plant fossils was called by him
as Bhuj Series of Middle Cretaceous or even slightly younger age. Biswas (1977) recognized three main
lithologic provinces within the basin and rocks of each province were classified separately (Fig.2.1) and
named the units according to their stratotypes (Biswas, 1977). The lithostratigraphic sequence of
Mainland is divided into four formations named as the Jhurio (Jhura), Jumara, Jhuran and Bhuj
formations (Biswas, 1977, 1987).
The first Tertiary classification of the Tertiary sediments of Kachchh was first presented by Wynne
(1872). Wynne classified the Tertiary sediments into six groups:
6- Recent-Upper Tertiary
5- Argillaceous Group
4- Arenaceous Group
3- Nummulitic Group
2- Gypseous Shales
1- Sub-Nummulitic
Biswas (1965) proposed a new Time-Stratigraphic classification of the Tertiary sediments of Kachchh
based on chrono-stratotypes and detailed mapping of the time-rock units. Biostratigraphic zonal
schemes were proposed by many palaeontologists. Notable among these are works by Sen Gupta
(1964), Pandey (1982) and Samantha and Lahri (1985). The stratigraphy given by Biswas (1992) is
the widely accepted stratigraphy today.
FIGURE 5 TECTONIC MAP OF KACHCHH
69º
70º
71º
24º
23º
71º
70º
69º
23º
24º
N
Recent & Pliestocene Deposits
Tertiary
Deccan Trap
Mesozoic
Secondary Faults
Median High
Major Faults
Ï Plunging Anticline
Dome
ÿ Plunging Syncline
a
M
E
D
I
A
N
H
I
G
H
K A T H I A W A R
F A U L T
A L L A H B U N D F A U L T ? ?
M
A I N
L A N D F A U L T
M A I N L A N D
PU KU BU CU
WAGAD
UPLIFT
(After Biswas and Deshpande, 1970)
20 0 20 40 60 Kilometers

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CLIMATE
Gujarat lies in the tropical region however its proximity to the Arabian Sea reduces the climate
extremes and makes the climate more pleasant, comfortable and healthy. Kachchh region is
characterized by arid climate. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Kachchh. The area is far from the
rain bringing influence of monsoon. The monsoon prevails for a very short period.
Kutch experiences extreme climatic conditions characterized by sweltering summer and scanty rainfall.
The winter season is pleasant and mainly a good time to visit. The summer season in Kutch is
extremely hot and starts from the month of February and lasts till June. The weather is extremely hot
and the temperature can soar up to 48°Celsius. Tourists generally avoid visiting Kutch due to the
severe climatic conditions during this time. The Kutch region receives an average rainfall of around 14
inch every year. Though the area faces serious water scarcity, the rainfall helps in lowering the
temperature. It also helps in sustaining the agriculture in the area. Compared to the other two
seasons, the winter season in Kutch is much better and pleasant. It starts from the month of October
and lasts till January with average temperature ranging from 12°Celsius to 25°Celsius. The winter can
turn quite chilly when the mercury drops to as low as 2°Celsius sometimes. In spite of that, the winter
season is an ideal time to visit Kutch and woolen wear is a must.
FIGURE 6 TECTONIC MAP OF KACHCHH

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MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF KACHCHH
MAINLAND
AGE FORMATION MEMBER LITHOLOGY
(Lower Cretaceous
to Upper
Cretaceous)
Santonian (Upper
Cretaceous)
Aptian
(Lower Cretaceous)
Berriasian-(Lower
Cretaceous)
BHUJ
FORMATION
Upper Member
Ukra Member
Ghuneri Member
Huge thickness of non-marine
sandstones.
Whitish to pale brown, massive,
current bedded, coarse
Grained, well sorted sandstones
with kaolinitic shale and
ferruginous band alternations at
thick intervals
Olive green glauconitic
sandstones, green sands, green &
grey shales with thin fossiliferous
bands of purple iron- stone,
ferruginous mudstone and grey
limestone
Thick beds of red and yellow
sandstones alternated by
laminated zones comprising
ferruginous bands, fissile or
laminated sandstones and shales
`
Kimmeridgian
(Upper Jurassic) to
Valanginian
(Lower Cretaceous)
JHURAN
FORMATION
Thick sequence of alternating
beds of sandstone and shale
Callovian
(Middle Jurassic)
to
Oxfordian
(Upper Jurassic)
JUMARA
FORMATION
Thick argillaceous formation
Bathovian
to
Callovian
(Middle Jurassic)
JHURIO
FORMATION
Thick sequence of limestone &
shales with bands of golden
oolites.

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MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF KACHCHH
PACHHAM ISLAND
Callovian
(Middle
Jurassic)
GORADONGAR
FORMATION
Modar Hill Member
Raimalro Limestone
Gadputa Sandstone
Member
Goradongar Flagstone
Member
A sequence of limestone, shale
and sandstone
Grey coarse grained, massive, current
bedded sandstone. Olive grey
fossiliferous gypseous shale (Khavda
shale) with fossiliferous flagstone,
ferruginous limestone bands
Grey-yellow, fossiliferous limestone
with middle part cherty nodular.
Pale brown to pink, massive, current
bedded, medium to coarse grained
quartz arenite becoming calcareous
upwards
Thinnly bedded grey & yellow
fossiliferous limestones & golden
oolitic bands
Bathovian
(Middle
Jurassic)
KALADONGAR
FORMATION
Babia Cliff Sandstone
Member
Kaladongar Sandstone
Member
Dingy Hill Member
A thick sequence of
conglomerate, sandstone and
shale
Sandstone with olive green
fossiliferous siltstone
Grey-brown, massive, medium to
coarse grained quartz arenite
Pink –brown, massive, current bedded
sandstone with thin bands and lenses
of granite-pebble-conglomerate,
interbeds of shale, siltstones and thin
fossiliferous calcareous sandstones.
Thinly bedded alternations of green-
red siltstones and brown-grey, hard,
calcareous sandstones.

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TERTIARY STRATIGRAPHY OF KACHCHH
No definite age assigned.
Occurrence above middle
Miocene strata with a
prominent break and from
affinity of foraminifera a
tentative Pliocene age is
assigned.
SANDHAN
FORMATION
.
Upper part: - Hard calcareous grits overlain by pink
and grey mottled silty sandstone with calcareous
nodules.
Middle part: - conglomerates and coarse grained
sandstones with lenticular bosies of conglomerates.
Lower part: -Well sorted, medium to coarse
grained, massive, micaceous, quartzite sandstone.
Burdigalian
(Lower Miocene)
CHHASRA
FORMATION
Upper Siltstone Member.
Lower Claystone Member
A thick sequence of grey argillaceous beds.
Aquintanian
(Lower Miocene)
KHARI NADI
FORMATION
Laminated to very thinly bedded red and yellowish
mottled to variegated siltstone and very fine
grained sandstone with occasional grey and brown
gypseous claystone. A bluish grey claystone occurs
consistently occurs at the base.
Cross bedded, fine grained, micaceous sandstone in
middle and few thin fossiliferous marl and
limestone bed in upper part.
Late Oligocene
Early Oligocene
MANIYARA FORT
FORMATION
Bermoti Member
Coral Limestone Member
Lumpy Clay Member
Basal Member
A group of bedded, yellow to ochre colored
foraminiferal limestones with a basal grayish green
glauconitic siltstone overlying the Fulra limestone.
Ochre color and green pellets of glauconite in all
rock types readily distinguish this formation.
Late Middle Eocene
FULRA
LIMESTONE
Limestones: -
Fossiliferous micrites, biomicrites,
biomicrosparites locally silty.
Large saddled to undulated Discocyclina at base.
Middle Eocene
HARUDI
FORMATION
Upper part:-Calcareous claystone and siltstone
either occasional layers of gypsum and
carbonaceous shale.
Lower part: - Greenish Grey, splintery shale with
yellow limonitic partings.
Occasionally concretionary and oolitic limestone
bands. Nummulites obustus is the marker bed.
Upper member-no definite
age.
Middle member- Early
Eocene.
Lower member- Late
Paleocene
NAREDI
FORMATION
Ferruginous Claystone
Member
Assilina Limestone Member.
Gypseous Shale Member.
Dominantly argillaceous rocks
Paleocene
MATANOMADH
FORMATION
Brightly colored rock types with different
admixtures of clastics and volcanic material.
Red laterite, bauxite, lateritic trap pebble
conglomerate, trap wash/wacke, red and yellow
ferruginous clays, current bedded tuffaceous
sandstones, occasional layers of lignite.

Day1, Wednesday STUDY VISIT REPORT
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LOCATION1: TAPKESHWARI TEMPLE
Info: 7-8 km EAST of Bhuj
STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON:
Jhuran Formation
(Age: Lower Cretaceous - Upper Jurassic)
Bhuj Formation
(Age: Lower Cretaceous – Upper Cretaceous)
SPOT1
LATITUDE: 23°10'52.9'' NORTH
LONGITUDE: 69°40'2.3'' EAST
ELEVATION: 192 m above Mean Sea Level
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Sandstone & Shale
 COLOUR: Pink & Yellow
 Duricrust formed on rocks
 Bedding Plane-Horizontal & jointed
 Thickness of the sequence (375-850 mts,
thickening towards West
 Remarks: Reddish brown Iron Deposit were
found on the outcrop
 The sequence showed the dominance of
Infra-littoral environment.
FIGURE 7 INFRA-LITTORAL ENVIRONMENT
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 8 SANDSTONE & SHALE
FIGURE 9 NODULES IN THE SNADSTONE
FIGURE 10 SANDSTONE BED SANWICHED BETWEEN TWO SHALE BEDS

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SPOT2 AEOLIAN CAVE
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Sandstone (Ferruginous &
Calcareous).
 COLOUR: Yellow & Brownish red.
 BEDDING PLANE PROPERTIES: Horizontal
 THICKNESS OF THE SEQUENCE: 400-900
mts, thickening towards West.
 SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURE: Herringbone
Herringbone cross-stratification is a type of
sedimentary structure formed in tidal areas,
where the current periodically flows in the
opposite direction in tidal areas, which have
bidirectional flow; structures are formed with
alternating layers of cross-beds dipping in
opposite directions that reflect the
alternating paleocurrent.
 REMARK: The area showed the presence of
fluvial to deltaic environment as well as tidal
flows. Absence of tabular cross stratification
and presence of trough cross stratification
was also observed.
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 11 HERRINGBONE
FIGURE 12 AEOLIAN CAVE
FIGURE 13 BANDINGS ON THE ROOF OF CAVE
FIGURE 14 ENTRANCE OF CAVE

15
SPOT3 PERICRATONIC RIFT BASIN
(KACHCHH)
The word ‘pericratonic means peri-boundary,
cratonic-any stable land & rift means no movement
after fracturing.
Kachcch has been divided into four physiographic
divisions.
1- Mountains & Hills
2- Coastal Features
3- Banni Plain (low lying area with vegetation)
4- Rann of Kachcch (Swampy land or salt
encrustration)
Towards east was Little Rann of Kachcch whereas
towards west Great Rann of Kachcch could be
observed.
ORDER OF SUPERPOSITION & THICKNESS OF BEDS
Duricrust (Ferricrete): 253mts
Shale
Gritty Shale: 240mts
Gritty Sandstone
Shale
Sandstone
Shale
Sandstone: 192mts
FIGURE 15 NODULE
FIGURE 16 RIFT BASIN
FIGURE 17 BASIN TOP
FIGURE 18 TOP VIEW FROM THE BASIN
FIGURE 19 ROADSIDE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE BASIN

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SPOT4 TRACE FOSSILS
Observations:
 COLOUR: Yellowish Brown
Trace fossil, Skolithos along with vertical burrows
were observed.
SKOLITHOS: Skolithos ichnofossils are trace fossils
(ichnos is Greek for footprint). They are evidence of
faunal activity as opposed to regular fossils, which
consist of molds or casts of skeletal components or
body impressions. A trace fossil is a sedimentologic
or lithologic impression attributed to activity of an
animal or plant. Ichnofossils are divided into
categories according to the type of activity
indicated; locomotion (Repichnia), resting (Cubichnia),
dwelling (Domichnia), feeding (Fodinichnia) and
grazing (Pascichnia). Skolithos ichnofossils are of the
dwelling, or Domichnia type, which can include
burrows, borings, or other imprint type indications.
The primary use of trace fossils is in the
interpretation of the paleoenvironment. An
ichnofacies is a group of ichnofossils distributed over
a wide enough area to characterize the environment.
Ichnofacies are distinguished in type by their
predominance in fresh or salt water and in their
distance from the shoreline or littoral. The Skolithos
ichnofacies are characteristic of soft intertidal or
shallow sub tidal marine environments.
FIGURE 20 DIAGRAM OF SKOLITHOS (WWW.GEOLOGY.COM)
FIGURE 21 BURROWS
FIGURE 22 BURROW OF SKOLITHOS
FIGURE 23 BURROWS
FIGURE 24 BURROWS

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LOCATION2: KRANTIGURU SHYAMJI KRISHNA VERMA KACHCHH UNIVERSITY
Lecture delivered by Dr.M.G.Thakkar
Time: 12:15 pm
Topic: “General Geology & Geomorphic Indicators of Faults in Kachcch”
Topic: General Geology & Geomorphic Indicators of Faults in Kachchh
An eminent personality in the field of Geology, Dr. M.G. Thakkar gave an influencing lecture on the evolution of
Kachchh.
As per the details provided by Mr. Thakkar, we learned the entire geology of Kachchh. He emphasized on
following points:
Geology of Kachchh starts with Badjotian. It is 170 million years old. Its pediment zones with alluvial fans are
concentrated near the hills.
During Jurassic it has been regarded as an open Embiment system i.e, half-graben basin. Later research says that
Kachchh leads to the study of strike-slip tectonics.
The three main uplifts in Kachchh are:
1- Kachchh mainland
2- Waghad Uplift (WU)
3- Island Belt Uplift
The young geomorphic indicators are as follows:
1- Scarps
2- Displaced alluvial & colluvial fans
3- Deep Valleys
4- Gorges
5- Pressure ridges
6- Unusual meanders
7- Slope change of terrain
8- River rejuvenation
9- Displaces quaternary units
10-Defunct river channels.
The present landscape of Kachchh is Quaternary. Entire Kachchh dips towards South with an angle of 10° but if
the dip-angle is 60-70 deg then we can say that we are near the major fault line.

18
LOCATION3: KHARI NADI GORGE
SPOT1 KHARI NADI
LATITUDE: 23°15'14'' NORTH
LONGITUDE: 69°37'50'' EAST
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Sandstone
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Bhuj Formation
 TREND OF THE RIVER: NE-SW at present
location
 AGE OF THE RIVER: 18000-20000 Years
 RIVER TERRACE TYPE: Tectono-Erosional
GORGE
A gorge is a deep ravine between pairs of cliffs and
is most often carved from the landscape by the
erosive activity of a river over geologic timescales.
Rivers have a natural tendency to cut through
underlying surfaces so will eventually wear away
rock layers to lessen their own pitch slowing their
waters; given enough time, their bottoms will
gradually reach a baseline elevation—which is the
same elevation as the body of water it will
eventually drain into. This action, when the river
source and mouth are at much different base
elevations will form a canyon,[1] particularly through
regions where softer rock layers are intermingled
with harder layers more resistant to weathering.
Significance: Gorge is an indicator of Neotectonic
activity in the region. Potholes & elongated grooves
were observed that indicated the torrential flow.
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 25 GORGE AT KHARI NADI
FIGURE 26 BEDDINGS IN THE GORGE
FIGURE 27 GORGE INTERIOR
FIGURE 28 GORGE INTERIOR

19
SPOT2 MEGA CROSS BEDDING
Observations:
 BEDDING PLANE PROPERTIES: Syn-
Depositional inclined beds.
 CALCAREOUS SILICEOUS: Calcareous
cement
 FOSSILS: Burrow tubes found
 REMARK: The steps present in the area were
indicating the presence of rapids in the area.
Rapids are sections of a river where the river
bed has a relatively steep gradient, causing
an increase in water velocity and turbulence.
FIGURE 29 WATER TURBULENCE (WWW.PANAROMIA.COM)
Rapids are hydrological features between a run (a
smoothly flowing part of a stream) and a cascade.
Rapids are characterized by the river becoming
shallower with some rocks exposed above the flow
surface. As flowing water splashes over and around
the rocks, air bubbles become mixed in with it and
portions of the surface acquire a white color, forming
what is called "whitewater". Rapids occur where the
bed material is highly resistant to the erosive power
of the stream in comparison with the bed
downstream of the rapids.
Mega cross bedding occurs either due to Deltaic
environment or by big aelion dunes but at present
spot it occurred due to the prevalence of deltaic
environment.
FIGURE 30 MEGA CROSS BEDING IN SANDSTONE
The burrow tubes were indicative of low energy &
bioturbation.
FIGURE 31 BURROW TUBES
FIGURE 32 BURROW TUBES
 SKETCH:

20
LOCATION4: KODKI FAULT
Info: 7-8 km EAST of Bhuj
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Shale, Sandstone
 BEDDING PLANE PROPERTIES: Inclined Beds
 ATTITUDE OF BEDS:
STRIKE DIP
25°-215° 50°/115°
30°-210° 44°/110°
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 33 FAULTING IN SHALE AND SANDSTONE
FIGURE 34 FLOWAGE OF SHALE DUE TO SHEARING
FIGURE 35 FAULTING ON THE ROADSIDE
FIGURE 36 DOLERITE DYKES INTRUDING SANSTONE
FIGURE 37 NODULE IN SANDSTONE

Day 2, Thursday STUDY VISIT REPORT
21
LOCATION1: NEAR J P CEMENT MINES,
HARUDI VILLAGE
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Limestone, fossiliferous-micrites
& biomicrites, ferricretes, somewhere
argillaceous bands found
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Fulra
Formation
 COLOUR: Yellowish, White
beds.
 CALCAREOUS SILICEOUS: Calcareous
cement
 FOSSILS: Nummulites, Gastropods, Pecten,
Trochus, Biomicrosparites dominated by
foraminifers (Discocyclina)
FIGURE 35 TURRITELLA (WWW.SCIENCE.COM)
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 36 NUMMULITIC LIMESTONE
FIGURE 37 OUTCROP SHOWING FULRA FORMATION
FIGURE 38 FARVIEW OF FULRA OUTCROP
FIGURE 39 FOSSILIFERROUS LIMESTONE SEEN IN FULRA FORMATION

22
LOCATION2: FERRICRETE HORIZON
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Lower part was composed of
shale with limonitic limestone. Upper part
was composed of carbonaceous & gypsy
ferrous sandstone
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Harudi
Formation
 COLOUR: Yellowish, Brown
beds.
 FOSSILS: Burrows found
BURROWS: A burrow is a hole or tunnel
excavated into the ground by an animal to
create a space suitable for habitation,
temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of
locomotion.
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 40 BURROWS PRESERVED IN HARUDI FORMATION
FIGURE 41 FERRICRETE HORIZON
FIGURE 42 BURROWS FOUND IN SANDSTONE
FIGURE 43 BURROWS IN FERRICRETE ZONE

23
LOCATION3: RIVER SECTION
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Upper claystone member (80%
clay, 20% sandstone), Acidilina limestone
member, Gypseous Shale member (Olive
green shale with glauconite)
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Naredi
Formation
 COLOUR: Brown
beds.
 FOSSILS: Gastropods, Lamellibranches.
BURROWS: A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated
into the ground by an animal to create a space
suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a
byproduct of locomotion.
FIGURE 44 GYPSEFERROUS SHALE
FIGURE 45 GYPSUM HORIZON
LOCATION4: KORI CREEK ON NARAYAN
SAROVAR ROAD
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Limestone,(nummulitic, micritic &
sparitic) which was marshy yellow,
Glauconitic limestone, Marl (clay+limestone)
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Maniyara
Formation
 COLOUR: Yellow
beds.
 FOSSILS: Ichnofossils found in marl beds
 REMARK: Kori creek represented the contact
between marl & limestone.
FIGURE 46 CONTACT BETWEEN MARL AND LIMESTONE
FIGURE 47 BURROWS FOUND IN MARL BED

Day 3, Friday STUDY VISIT REPORT
24
LOCATION1: DYKE CUTTING JUMARA
FORMATION
Info: 10 km away from Hajipur Village
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Dolerite (Pyroxene dominated
mafic rock containing plagioclase & augite)
 STRATIGRAPHIC HORIZON: Jumara
Formation
 ATTITUDE OF DYKE:
1) Trend of Dyke
On left hand side
E90°-W270°, E92°-W268°
On right hand side
E72°-W252°, E75°-W248°
2) Dip direction: 165°N-S15°W
3) Dip amount: 45°
4) Thickness of Dyke: 5mts
 REMARK: The dyke present on either side of
the road has been cut by the road. The road
acted as a strike-slip fault with dextral
movement. The trend of the fault (road) was
noted to be NE-SW.
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 48 DOLERITE DYKE (LEFT HAND SIDE EXPOSURE)
FIGURE 50 DOLERITE DYKE (RIGHT HAND SIDE EXPOSURE)

25
LOCATION2: JUMARA DOME
SPOT1 Jumara Dome
Info: 3 km away from Jumara Village
ELEVATION: 28mts above Mean Sea Level
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Cherty-Limestone (Upper Jhurio)
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Jumara village
type section
 COLOUR: Yellowish
 THICKNESS OF SEQUENCE: 325mts (Jhurio)
 FOSSIL: Dhosa-oolite in upper Jumara
formation was found, the age being
Callovian
 REMARK: Jumara dome was 100 ft high. It is
in its mature stage.
Chronostratigraphic
classification of Kachcch
Lithostratigraphic
classification of Kachcch
Umiya (middleTethonian-
Neocomian)
Deccan Traps
Katrol (Middle
CallovianLlower
Tethonian)
Bhuj (Neocomian-
Santonian)
Chaari (Middle
Callovian)
Jhuran (Argovian-
Neocomian)
Pachcham Lower
Callovian)
Jumara (Callovian-
Oxfordian)
Jhurio (Upper Bathovian-
Callovian)
FIGURE 52 JUMARA DOME
SPOT2 Coralline Limestone
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Coralline Limestone (Middle
Jhurio)
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Jumara
formation
 COLOUR: Grayish White
Corals are colonies of pyropes (multicellular
organism without tentacles). They are indicative of
tropic-subtropic environment. They are deposit
feeders.
Age of corals is middle Triassic recent. In all 62
types of corals are found. Some of them are as
follows:
1- Montlivalitia
2- Pseudosenia
3- Trochosmilia
FIGURE 53 CORALS FOUND NEAR JUMARA DOME
SPOT3 KMF-SCARP
Observations:
KMF stands for Kachcch mainland fault. KMF-Scrap is
the contact of Jhurio & Pachcham. The upper one is
Jhurio formation beneath which lies the Pachcham
formation.

26
LOCATION3: TRIGONIA BED
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Calcareous Sandstone
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Trigonia part
of Umia series
 AGE: Valangian
 THICKNESS OF SEQUENCE: 325mts (Jhurio)
 FOSSIL: Dhosa-oolite in upper Jumara
formation was found, the age being
Callovian
 CLASSIFICATION:
Kingdom-Animalia
Phyllum-Mollusca
Class-Bivalve
Order-Trigonidae
Genus-Trigonia
 REMARK: Trigonia is the marker-bed that
shows marine-transgression. It marks the
boundary between Jurassic & Valangian.
Now it has been well preserved in the
outcrop shown.Though trigonia is extinct now,
two of its genres viz Steingnella & Herzigona
were found.
 SKETCH:
FIGURE 54 TRIGONIA PART (UMIA SERIES)
FIGURE 55 FOSSILS EMBEDDED IN TRIGONIA BED
FIGURE 56 TRIGONIA EMBEDDED IN CALCAREOUS SANDSTONE
FIGURE 57 FOSSILIFERROUS TRIGONIA BED

Day 4, Saturday STUDY VISIT REPORT
27
LOCATION1: HABO HILL
Info: 16 km from E-W, 6 km from N-S)
ELEVATION: 50 mts above Mean Sea Level
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Gabbro, Calcareous Sandstone
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Jhurio &
Jumara
 COLOUR: Blackish-Green
 BEDDING PLANE PROPERTIES: Inclined Beds
 Height of Habo Hills: 974 ft
 ATTITUDE OF BEDS:
STRIKE DIP
85°-275° 23°/15°
20°-340° 18°/254°
30°-90° 21°/26°
 FOSSIL:
1- Dhosa-oolite (upper Jumara)
2- Golden-oolite (bathovian-callovian)
Habo dome approximately 20m high standing on a
Laccolith made of Gabbro was observed. Cooling
cracks were observed in Gabbro
(augite+plagioclase). Laccolith is a sheet like
intrusion which is convex upwards.
Habo is divided into five members:
1- Lodai member
2- Rudramata member
3- Zhikadi member
4- Drung member
5- Black limestone member
FIGURE 58 LACOLITH FOUND IN HABO HILL
LOCATION2: PACHCHAM ISLAND
Observations:
 ROCK TYPE: Sandstone, Carbonates,
Limestone, Shale stone
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Kaladongar
Formation
 REMARK: Kaladongar hill is the highest peak
of elevation 462-465 mts in Kachcch. It
resulted in due to the buffering effect of
Island Bela fault (IBF)
FIGURE 59 KALADONGAR
FIGURE 60 HIGHEST PEAK IN KACHCHH- KALADONGAR
 SKETCH:

Day 5, Sunday STUDY VISIT REPORT
28
LOCATION1: KODAKI VILLAGE NEAR
GANGAJI TEMPLE
SPOT1 Columnar joints in Sandstone
Observations:
COLUMNAR JOINTS: Joints are fractures in rocks,
and columnar joints are a specific type of joint
pattern. Columnar joints contain aspects of both
petrology and structural geology, but the discussion
will address only the structural aspect. Columnar
joints are defined as parallel, prismatic columns in
basaltic flows and sometimes other rocks, and this
specific pattern is a result of cooling. The columns are
normally found in shallow intrusive or extrusive
igneous rock bodies, generally, basaltic, sills, dikes
and lava flows.
The columnar fractures are a result of the cooling
process. The basalt cools rapidly from the outside
toward the center, causing shrinkage cracks to form,
commonly, in a hexagonal pattern.
Types of columnar joints are:
1- Colonnade Joints:
2- Entablature Joints:
REMARK: Jumara dome was 100 ft high. It is in its
mature stage.
FIGURE 61 COLUMNAR JOINTS IN SANDSTONE
SPOT2 Doleritic Dyke
Observations:
 COLOUR: Brownish-Yellow
 ATTITUDE OF DYKE:
1- Trend of dyke: NW-SE
2- Strike of Dyke: N14° E
 REMARK: The dyke was eroded from one
side & remained completely intact on the
side of the road.
Contact metamorphism had occurred on the
outcrop during the geological past which
gave the present day topography to it.
FIGURE 62 DYKE ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD BENEATH
GANGAJI TEMPLE (COMPLETELY ERODED)
FIGURE 63 DYKE ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD BENEATH
GANGAJI TEMPLE (REMAINED UNERODED)

Day 5, Sunday STUDY VISIT REPORT
29
LOCATION2: DINODHAR HILL
Observations:
 STRATIGHRAPHIC HORIZON: Jhuran
Formation
 REMARK: A volcanic vent with lithology as
alkali olivine basalt, showing columnar
structure, intruding the Jhuran formation was
observed in the area. The age of the vent
was 65-69 millions years. Dinodar hill was
along the KMF (Kachcch Mainland Fault).
VOLCANO VENT: Vents are openings in the Earth's
crust from which magma and volcanic gases escape
onto the ground or into the atmosphere. Vents may
consist of a single, circular-shaped structure, a large
elongated fissure and fracture, or a tiny ground
crack. The release of volcanic gases and the eruption
of molten rock result in a wide assortment of edifices,
ranging from enormous shield volcanoes and
calderas to fumaroles and small hornitos.
FIGURE 64 VOLCANIC VENT WWW.PBS.ORG
FIGURE 65 DIAGRAM OF VOLCANIC VENT WWW.PBS.ORG
FIGURE 66 DINODHAR HILL
FIGURE 69 VOLCANIC VENT IN DINODHAR HILL

Day 6, Monday STUDY VISIT REPORT
30
INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park is a precious
treasure spread over an area of about 400 hectares
on either bank of Sabarmati River in Gandhinagar,
the capital of Gujarat. It is considered to be the
second largest hatchery of dinosaur eggs in the
world. Regarded as India's Jurassic Park, it is run by
the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research
Foundation (GEER), and is the only dinosaur museum
in the country. The park consists of a zoo, massive
skeletons of sea mammals like the blue whale, as
well as a vast botanical garden, amphitheatre,
interpretation center and camping facilities. It also
has a Wilderness Park which is home to innumerable
species of birds, reptiles, hundreds of nilgais, langurs
and pea fowls in its vast forest.
FIGURE 70 ENTRANCE OF DINASAUR FOSSIL PARK
IMPORTANCE OF THE DINASAUR FOSSIL
Fossils are among the most valuable sources of
information about the Earth's history. They tell us
about the organisms that lived on Earth from the time
of the oldest fossils, about 3.8 billion years ago, to
the present. By studying fossils we can learn not only
about the creatures and plants of the distant past,
but how they grew, what they ate, how they
interacted, and many aspects of their behavior.
FIGURE 71 DINOSAUR FOSSIL (WWW.STAFF.OLYMPIA.ORG)
Fossils reveal many fascinating facts about the past,
but they do a lot more. Fossils are one of the most
useful aids to finding oil, because oil tends to
accumulate in the pores of particular rock layers.
Rocks of different ages contain different fossils.
Study of microscopic fossils brought up in chips of
rock during drilling of wells has led to many major
oil and gas discoveries. Also, the oil itself is derived
from fossil remains of ancient organisms.
Study of fossils has led to important new
understanding about how life evolved on earth and
about diseases, both ancient and modern. Fossils also
help us understand past climates, including ice ages
and periods that were warmer than our present
climate. Knowledge from the study of fossils is
helping geoscientists understand global warming and
its effects. By studying the catastrophic extinction of
the dinosaurs and many other life forms at the end
of the Cretaceous Period, geoscientists have gained
insight into the evolutionary implications of impacts
by extraterrestrial objects. Investigating the physical
and chemical characteristics of fossil organisms that
lived during times of drastic climatic change helps us
understand the implications of the changes we are
making in our own environment.
FIGURE 72 MEGALOSAURUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
FIGURE 73 MODEL OF MEGALOSAURUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK

Day 6, Monday STUDY VISIT REPORT
31
VARIETIES OF DINOSAUR SPECIES FOUND
STEGOSAURUS
FIGURE 74 MODEL OF STEGO SAURUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
Stegosaurus meaning "roof lizard" or "covered
lizard" in reference to its bony plates is a genus of
armored stegosaurid dinosaur. They lived during the
Late Jurassic period. A large, heavily built,
herbivorous quadruped, Stegosaurus had a
distinctive and unusual posture, with a heavily
rounded back, short forelimbs, head held low to the
ground and a stiffened tail held high in the air. Its
array of plates and spikes has been the subject of
much speculation. The spikes were most likely used
for defense, while the plates have also been
proposed as a defensive mechanism, as well as
having display and thermoregulatory functions.
Stegosaurus had a relatively low brain-to-body mass
ratio. It had a short neck and small head, meaning it
most likely ate low-lying bushes and shrubs.
ALLOSAURUS
FIGURE 75 MODEL OF ALLOSAURUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
The name "Allosaurus" means "different lizard".
Allosaurus was a large bipedal predator. Its skull
was large and equipped with dozens of large, sharp
teeth. It averaged 8.5 m (28 ft) in length, though
fragmentary remains suggest it could have reached
over 12 m (39 ft). Relative to the large and
powerful hind limbs, its three-fingered forelimbs
were small, and the body was balanced by a long
and heavily muscled tail. It is classified as an
allosaurid, a type of carnosaurian theropod
dinosaur.
DENONYCHUS
FIGURE 76 MODEL OF DENONYCHUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
Deinonychus is a genus of carnivorous dromaeosaurid
ceolurosaurian dinosaurs. There is one described
species, Deinonychus antirrhopus. This species, which
could grow up to 3.4 meters (11 ft) long, lived
during the early Cretaceous Period, about 115–108
million years ago.
Based on the largest known specimens, Deinonychus
could reach at least 3.4 meters (11 ft 2 in) in length,
with a skull length of 410 mm (16.1 in), a hip height
of 0.87 meters (2 ft 10 in), and an estimated weight
of 73 kilograms (161 lb). [3] The skull was equipped
with powerful jaws lined with around seventy curved,
blade-like teeth.
MEGALOSAURUS
Megalosaurus was
one of the primary
dinosaurs to be
described.
Megalosaurus
have a compa-
ratively large
head and the
teeth were clearly
that of carnivore.
However, the longFIGURE 77 MODEL OF MEGALOSAURUS AT
INDRODA FOSSIL PARK

STUDY VISIT REPORT
32
tail would have balanced the body and head and so
Megalosaurus is now restored as a bipedal beast
like all other theropods, and about nine meters in
length. The structure of the cervical vertebrae
suggests that its neck would have been very supple.
To support its weight of around one tonne, the legs
were large and muscular. Like all theropods, it had
three onward facing toes and a single reversed one.
Although they had not reached the minuscule size of
later theropods like Tyrannosaurus, Megalosaurus
arms were small and almost certainly had three or
four fingers.
TYRANNOSAURUS
FIGURE 78 MODEL OF TYRANNOSAURUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest meat-
eating dinosaurs that ever lived. Everything about
this ferocious predator, from its thick, heavy skull to
its 4-foot-long (1.2-meter-long) jaw, was designed
for maximum bone-crushing action.
Fossil evidence shows that Tyrannosaurus was about
40 feet (12 meters) long and about 15 to 20 feet
(4.6 to 6 meters) tall. Its strong thighs and long,
powerful tail helped it move quickly, and its massive
5-foot-long (1.5-meter-long) skull could bore into
prey.
T. rex's serrated, conical teeth were most likely used
to pierce and grip flesh, which it then ripped away
with its brawny neck muscles. Its two-fingered
forearms could probably seize prey, but they were
too short to reach its mouth.
RAJASAURUS NARMADENSIS
A stocky, carnivorous dinosaur with an unusual head
crest has been identified from bones collected in
India. American and Indian scientists, working with
support from the National Geographic Society, have
named the animal Rajasaurus narmadensis.
FIGURE 79 MODEL OF RAJASAURUS AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
IGUANODON
FIGURE 80 MODEL OF IGUANODON AT INDRODA FOSSIL PARK
Iguanodon was a plant-eating dinosaur that had a
conical spike on each thumb. This 30-foot-long
dinosaur lived during the early Cretaceous period,
about 135 to 125 million years ago.
Iguanodon was a dinosaur that had a horny,
toothless beak and tightly-packed cheek teeth. On
each hand, Iguanodon had four fingers plus a conical
thumb spike on each hand (that was perpendicular to
the other fingers). The thumb spikes may have been
used for defense or in obtaining food; it ranged
from 2 to 6 inches long.

STUDY VISIT REPORT
33
CONCLUSION
This field trip was an unforgettable experience for all of us & it was the last of this course. The trip
gave us the opportunity to see the rocks, unconformity, volcanic plug, sheeting joints, dykes, potholes
etc, and allow us to practice what we have learned in the Laboratory. The traverse around Kachchh
region proved to be very advantageous to understand the various aspects of Stratigraphy. Moreover,
the field trip allows us to explore our interest in Geology by learning more about the science. Now we
are more familiar with the subject.
Overall, the field trip was extremely positive. As a part of the Geology course program, which aim to
give the students an understanding of the structure of the Earth, physical and chemical processes that
occur within it, how these processes have given rise to present form through geological time, and how
they affect human lives, the field trip can be described as educational, inspirational & good experience
for all of us.
LIST OF SPECIMEN
1. Echinodermata
2. Lamellibranch
3. Gastropods
4. Gypsum
5. Piece of trigonia bed
6. Corals

STUDY VISIT REPORT
34
REFERENCES
 Biswas, S. K. (1965);A new classification on the Tertiary rocks of Kutch, Western India. Bulletin
of the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Society of India, 35, pp. 1–6
 Biswas, S.K. (1977); Mesozoic rock-stratigraphy of Kutch. Quarterly Journal of the Geological
Mining and Metallurgical Society of India, 49(3 & 4), pp. 1-52
 Biswas, S.K. (1987); Regional tectonic framework, structure and evolution of the western
margin basins in India,Tectonophysics, 135, pp.307-327
 Biswas, S. K. (1992), Tertiary Stratigraphy of Kutch, The Palaeontological Society of India, 37,
pp. 1– 29
 Pandey J. (1982); Chronostratigraphic correlation of the Neogenesedimentaries of Western
Indian Shelf, Himalaya and Upper Assam, Special Publication Palaeontological Society of India,
1, pp. 95-129
 Rajnath (1932); A contribution to the stratigraphy of Cutch,Quarterly Journal of the Geological,
Mineralogical and Metallurgical Society of India, 4(4), pp. 161-174
 Sengupta B.K. (1963); Tertiary Biostratigraphy of a part of Northwestern Kutch, Journal
Geological Society of India, 5, pp. 138-150
 Waagen, W. (1875); Jurassic fauna of Kutch, PalaeontologiaIndica.Geological Survey of India,
Memoir, 9(1), pp. 247
 Wynne, A.B. (1872); Memoir on the Geology of Kutch, Memoir Geological Survey of India, 19
(2), pp. 269

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