Paleocurrent Reconstruction

Primary S t r u c t u r e

S t r u c t u r e s p e o d u c e d d u r i n g t h e p r o c e s s of sedimentation
a r e o l d r e c o r d s on t h e b a s i s of t-rfiich t h e p a l e o c u r r e n t system
of t h e a r e a h a s b e e n s t u d i e d , ^alobgrtiplijbc reconstructions
a r e made w i t h t h e h e l p o f t h e s e p r i m a r y s t r u c t u r e s . The
s t r u c t u r e s i n d i c a t e • t h e r e g i o n a l palAeo slope, extent and
deeper part of t h e b a s i n , d i r e c t i o n of t r a n s p o r t , p r o v e n a n c e
etc. Downslope d i r e c t i o n is indicated s p e c i a l l y by t h e
azimuthal d i r e c t i o n of- c f o s s - b e d d i n g a t a r e g i o n a l scale
w h i c h g i v e s a n i d e a a b o u t t h e d o w n s i o p e s of t h e b a s i n in
particular.

I n Bhopal a r e a t h e c u r r e n t b e d d i n g s a r e n o t common.
Asymmetrical, s y m m e t r i c a l and i n t e r f e r e n c e r i p p l e m a r k s a r e
n o t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e a r e a e x c e p t a few p l a c e s . Primary
c u r r e n t l i n e a t i o n s ar'e a l s o common.

T h e r e a r e a t a few p l a c e s , t h e r e a r e l o c a l variations
i n t h e a z i m u t h b u t t h e r e g i o n a l s l o p e can b e h a d by plotting
mean d i r e c t i o n of t h e c u r r e n t in t h e r e g i o n . The p l o t t i n g
indicates the s l o p e s a r e from a r e a s which l i e a t t h e south-
w e s t of B h o p a l .

To know t h e p a l e o s l o p e , p a l e o c u r r e n t d i r e c t i o n and its

relation with f a c i e s boundaries, provenance t h e measurement

of d i f f e r e n t s t r u c t u r a l f e a t u r e s i n t h e a r e a was d o n e .
D i f f e r e n t methods and t e c h n i q u e s a r e a p p l i e d t o n o t e down
the current p a t t e r n s of g e o l o g i c p a s t . S a m p l i n g was d o n e
f o r c o l l e c t i n g t h e p a l e o c u r r e n t d a t a in Bhopal a r e a . Most
of t h e d i r e c t i o n a l structures represent a preferred
orientation.

Cross - Bedding
ssagtsagBBBsfm-TTT'TaBaaSiS

Cross-bedding is a structure confined to a

single sedimentation u n i t c o n s i s t i n g of i n t e r n a l bedding,
c a l l e d foi!eset bedding, inclined to the principal surface
of accumulation.

The u n i t of c r o s s - b e d d i n g i n t h e U p p e r B h a n d e r
S a n d s t o n e s i n B h o p a l a r e a v a r i e s f r o m 8 t o 30 cm cross-
bedding with p l a n e r c o n t a c t s a r e not seen in t h e area.
Mostly t h e curved b a s a l c o n t a c t s a r e seen which a r e concave
'so t h e c r o s s b e d d i n g and i s r e f e r r e d a s o f f e s t o o n type.
T h r e e d i m e n s i o n a l v i e w of c r o s s - b e d d i n g can b e h a d a t various
p l a c e s where t h e beds are small. Two d i m e n s i o n a l sections
a r e s e e n n e a r B i r l a M a n d i r r o a d c u t t i n g and h e r e i t i s very
d i f f i c u l t t o m e a s u r e u n i t and s c a l e o f c r o s s - b e d d i n g s . The
cross-beddings at t h i s place are trough type. The f o r e s e t s
of t r o u g h t y p e c o r s s - b e d d i n g s a r e c o n c a v e t o downdip o r
towards n o r t h - e a s t e r n d i r e c t i o n . Dip, or a n g l e between
f o r e s e t b e d and h o r i z o n t a l , was measured w i t h t h e h e l p of
c l i n o m e t e r and i t d o e s n o t e x c e e d more t h a n 6 . The
measurement of one f o r e s e t i n each b e d d e d l a y e r was n o t
 possible as cross-bedding is rare there.

A f t e r t a k i n g t h e r e a d i n g s of a c r o s s - b e d d i n g i n a
locality, a v e r a g e was c a l c u l a t e d a n d upon t h a t b a s i s i t is
p l o t t e d on t h e map. U n i t of c r o s s b e d d i n g was a l s o m e a s u r e d
w h e r e v e r t h e measurements of c r o s s b e d d i n g s were t a k e n . In

I t h e g i v e n a r e a no t e c t o n i c d i s t u r b a n c e has occured so t h e

; c r o s s - b e d s a r e t a n g e n t i a l downward, and a r e t r u n c a t e d
1
I upward r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e beds t o be r i g h t s i d e up.

A s t a t i s t i c a l a n a l y s i s of b o t h a z i m u t h a n d Indication
f r e q u e n c i e s of c r o s s b e d d i n g In s e v e r a l l o c a l i t i e s of the
showed t h i s s t r u c t u r e t o have a r e g i o n a l l y c o n s i s t e n t pattern
indicating south-west t o n o r t h - e a s t current system which
m i g h t h a v e b e e n imposed by t h e r u l i n g c u r r e n t of t h e past
a g e s i n VlndJiyan t i m e s . The c u r r e n t movement i s indicated
away f r o m s o u t h w e s t , t o w a r d s b a s i n w h i c h p r o b a b l y l i e s in
north easterly direction, A nxamber of m e a s u r e m e n t s w e r e
made b e c a u s e b o t h t h e d i r e c t i o n and t h e a n g l e of inclination
w e r e somewhat v a r i a b l e i n t h e same o u t c r o p . The little
variability in s c a l e and o r i e n t a t i o n in c r o s s beds are
i n d i c a t i v e p a r a m e t e r s of s t a b i l i t y in current s y s t e m of
past. T h e r e was a l i t t l e change i n c u r r e n t system a t the
t i m e of d e p o s i t i o n of Upper B h a n d e r Sandstones.

The o l d e r r o c k s from where t h e m a t e r i a l h a s been

derived l i e in t h e south western d i r e c t i o n . Ripple marks

a n d c o r s s b e d d i n g s a r e commonly a s s o c i a t e d w h i c h i s a
characteristic of o r t h o q u a r t z l t i c sandstone.
 I n t h i s t h e s i s p r i m a r y s t r u c t u r e s and dimensional
fabrics are used as parameters for paleocurrent reconstruction.
Directional s t r u c t u r e s a r e h e l p f u l i n r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of the
paleoslops. Cross beds a l s o help in giving idea about
p a l e o c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n and p o s i t i o n of s h o r e l i n e . Arrows
marked on t h e map r e p r e s e n t t h e a z i m u t h of c r o s s b e d s , these
a r r o w s a l s o r e p r e s e n t t h e mean d i p a z i m u t h , w h i c h g i v e s a n
i d e a of c u r r e n t d i r e c t i o n . Ancient c u r r e n t p a t t e r n s reveal
I
t h e p h y s i c a l g e o g r a p h y and i t s r e l a t i o n w i t h c u r r e n t system
as, i s s e e n i n :many modern r i v e r s , s e a s and e s t u a r i e s . The
c u r r e n t p a t t e r n h a s mach i n f l u e n c e on t h e p h y s i c a l geography
and can be i n f e r r e d t o some e x t e n t .
 P a r a l l e l l o n g e q u i d i s t a n t r i d g e s a r e s e e n on t h e surface.
These r i d g e s a r e p a r a l l e l or curved in n a t u r e . These are
p r o d u c e d d u e t o movement of t h e p a r t i c l e s w h i c h p r o d u c e
r i p p l i n g d u e t o c e r t a i n v e l o c i t y of c u r r e n t . No m e g a r i p p l e s
a r e seen in Bhopal a r e a . Symmetrical, asymmetrical and
i n t e r f e r e n c e r i p p l e marks a r e n o t e d i n t h e a r e a . The o c c u r a n c e
of r i p p l e m a r k s t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e c r o s s b e d d i n g represents
Bhander s a n d s t o n e s d e p o s i t t e d under shallow w a t e r conditions.
S y m m e t r i c a l r i p p l e m a r k s a r e d i s t i n g u i s h e d b e i n g more regular,
w i t h r o u n d e d tr^ough and b r o a d c r e s t . The s t u d y of t h e s e ripple
m a r k s i n U p p e r Bhander S a n d s t o n e s p r o v e t h e m t o b e r i g h t side
up and i t i s a l s o i n d i c a t i v e of t h e a r e a n o t b e i n g tectonically
disturbed.

Shorter s l o p e of e a c h r i d g e i s i n c l i n e d t o t h e south-
west t o n o r t h - e a s t direction, that is, the current direction
in Bhopal a r e a . The_ r i p p l e i n d e x i s s m a l l p r o v i n g i t t o be
of s h a l l o w w a t e r o r i g i n . I t has a g r e a t e r width in proportion
to their height. I n s y m m e t r i c a l r i p p l e s mark, a gradation
i s seen in t h e p a r t i c l e s where c o a r s e r p a r t i c l e s a r e set in
t r o u g h s and f i n e r a t t h e c r e s t w h i l e in a s y m m e t r i c a l ripple
marks t h e c o a r s e r m a t e r i a l i s n o t e d i n t r o u g h s on l e e - s i d e .
T h i s a l s o proves t h e r i p p l e marks t o be of s h a l l o w w a t e r
o r i g i n r a t h e r t h a n t o be e o l i a n i n which r e v e r s e phenomenon
occurs. So t h e Upper B h a n d e r S a n d s t o n e s a r e supposed to
have been d e p o s i t e d under t h e c u r r e n t a c t i o n . The ripple
marks i n Bhopal a r e a r e p r e s e n t a small s c a l e s t r u c t u r e the
wave l e n g t h and a m p l i t u d e b e i n g few cm t o few mm r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Asjymmetrical r i p p l e s w h i c h a r e p r o d u c t s of c u r r e n t action,
t h e i r o r i e n t a t i o n i s a means of d i r e c t i o n of a n c i e n t current
f l o w w h i c h was f r o m s o u t h - w e s t t o n o r t h - e a s t a t t h e Upper
Vindhyan t i m e s . Symmatrical r i p p l e marks r e p r e s e n t t h e sense
of a s t a n d i n g body of w a t e r w h e r e d e p t h was n o t exceeding
f e w t e n s e of f e e t . L i n e drawn p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o s t r i k e of
c r e s t i n d i c a t e s a l i n e of transport.

Current d i r e c t i o n i s m e a s u r e d by t h e a z i m u t h of
t h e asymmetricsil r i p p l e marks where s t e e p e r s i d e i s indicative
of d i r e c t i o n of movement. No tectonic deformation has
occured in t h e a r e a so ripples are well preserved.
P r e f e r r e d d i r e c t i o n i s shown by t h e s e r i p p l e s a t many
p l a c e s - t h e r e g i o n a l mapping of t h e s e r i p p l e mark r e a d i n g s
may g i v e a n i d e a of paleoslope.

T h e mean reading of a s y m m e t r i c a l r i p p l e marks

of one locality p o i n t s down t h e d i r e c t i o n of current
to the north-east where a s the symmetrical ripples tend
t o be parallel t o the shore. These r i p p l e s are noted
in fine grained sandstone to coarse gravels in the
area. Average cross-bedding direction comes to be
perpendicular t o a v e r a g e s t r i k e of symmetrical ripple
oarks.
 Cut a r r o w marked on t h e map r e p r e s e n t s the

average direction of e a c h s e t o f a s y m m e t r i c a l ripple

marks. Double arrows i n d i c a t e t h e direction of

symmetrical r i p p l e marks.
FIG. ROSE DIAGRAMS OF DIMENSIONAL FABRIC DATA
ON UPPER BHANDER SANDSTONE

5 18 S 25

S12

S 22 S13
FIG. ROSE DIAGRAMS OF DIMENSIONAL FABRIC DATA
ON UPPER BHANDER SANDSTONE

HE 1 B M. 1

BM^ S 5
 This i s a sedimentary s t r u c t u r e which r e p r e s e n t s a

l i n e of movement. These l i n e a t i o n s a r e h e l p f u l , in plotting

the paleocurrent data, together with r i p p l e marks a n d

cross-beddings. These a r e p l o t t e d a s t h e double arrowed

p o i n t s on t h e map.

Grain Orientation

Preferred orientation i s shown by t h e quartz

g r a i n s due t o t h e f o r c e s w h i c h a c t e d a t t h e t i m e of deposition
of t h e r o c k . The f a b r i c i n Upper B h a n d e r S a n d s t o n e of B h o p a l
a r e a shows a n a n i s o t r o p i c p a t t e r n . This fabric i s primary
because i t came i n t o e x i s t a n c e d u r i n g t h e t i m e of t h e deposition.
The g r a i n s o r p e b b l e s e t c , rest at a stable condition to
r e s i s t t h e s t r e s s p u t by r u n n i n g c u r r e n t and this forms
a l i n e a r body a l o n g t h e l i n e of movement. Because the
s a n d s t o n e s c o n t a i n a b o u t 84^ of q u a r t z , so h e r e t h e long
'I
axes of c l a s t i c q u a r t z g r a i n s a r e c o n s i d e r e d and the
p r e f e r r e d o r i e n t a t i o n was c a u s e d by ruling current of
past times.

To know a b o u t t h e d i r e c t i o n of c u r r e n t r e s p o n s i b l e for
t h e d e p o s i t i o n of s e d i m e n t s i n t h e a r e a s t u d y of directional
f a b r i c was d o n e . The maximum o r i e n t a t i o n of g r a i n s was
c a l c u l a t e d w h i c h came a b o u t south-west t o n o r t h - e a s t direction.
 Secondary Structures

Secondary s t r u c t u r e s a r e t h o s e which develop a f t e r

t h e c o m p a c t i o n of b e d s . T e c t o n i c f o r c e s and o t h e r processes
by w h i c h f o r c e s a r e n e u t r a l i z e d or r e l e a s e d t h e structures
come i n t o e x i s t a n c e . Fold, f a u l t and o t h e r s t r u c t u r e s are'
included in i t . T h e s e s t r u c t u r e s a r e h e l p f u l In f o r m i n g
t h e h i s t o r y of p a s t and i t s r e l a t i o n w i t h present.

The g i v e n a r e a i n B h o p a l was n o t t e c t o n i c a l l y much

disturbed as i t i s proved, by t h e r o c k s of h o r i z o n t a l extent.
No f o l d i n g i s r e c o r d e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e a r e a . A fault of
local extent i s o n l y n o t e d n e a r Bhadbada pumping station.

F a u l t

The f a . u l t l i e s n e a r Bhadbada v i l l a g e 8 km from

Bhopal i n t h e s o u t h - w e s t e r n p a r t of t h e a r e a . The Upper
Bhander Sandstones a r e v e r y h i g h l y J o i n t e d h e r e the sandstones
c o n t a i n p e b b l e a t t h e b a s e t h e n t h e y a r e b e d d e d and are
q u a r t z i t i c i n n a t u r e t h e y a l s o c o n t a i n l e n s e s of s h a l e a n d
Deccan T r a p s w h i c h h a v e a c l e a r f a u l t e d c o n t a c t w i t h Upper
Bhander S a n d s t o n e s , The j o i n t s a r e m o s t l y v e r t i c a l joints
V
and d i p a t a b o u t 70 being steeper. A dark r e d d i s h very
w e a t h e r e d sandstone crop out n e a r t h e s t r e a m it retains a
t h i c k n e s s of a b o u t 0 . 8 m e t e r . The q u a r t z i t e s , are a l i t t l e
v a r i a b l e on b o t h t h e f l a n k s of t h e s t r e a m , which f o r m low

I'
h i l l s varying from coarse g r i t t y q u a r t z l t l c through current
bedded t o massive evengrained sandstones.

The b e d s s t r i k e a t N 10 E - S 10 W a n d d i p a t 6 t o 8
eastward. The s t r i k e s w i n g s t o N 55 W - S 55 E, d i p p i n g at
r
2 5 t o N 55 E n e a r f a u l t . Where t h e r e is faulted contact the
sandstones a r e highly weathered. There a r e dark g r e y i s h spots
on t h e s a n d s t o n e m a s s e s w h i c h m i g h t have b e e n d e v e l o p e d d u e
t o c h i l l i n g e f f e c t of h o t l a v a . The f a u l t t r e n d s WNV/ - ESE
dipping 85 southwards.
Deccan l a v a s h a v e i n t r u d e d i n t o s a n d s t o n e . The l a v a s
r e s t u n c o n f o r m a b l y o v e r s a n d s t o n e s and a l s o i n bedding planes.

J o i n t i n g i s v e r y common a t Bhadbada pumping station.

Most of t h e j o i n t s a r e t h e v e r t i c a l J o i n t s the joint directions

< ^

a r e N 10 E - SMO W, N 30 ¥ - S 3 0 ^ S , N 50 fi - S 50 W. Some
of t h e j o i n t s t r e n d N 50 W S .50 E d i p a t 7 0 t o SW. There is
a g r e a t e r c o n c e n t r a t i o n of j o i n t s n e a r t h e f a u l t between
sandstone and t r a p s . Second s e t o f j o i n t s a r e more open.
J o i n t s do n o t e x t e n d t o a g r e a t e r depth.

The s a n d s t o n e s r e p r e s e n t s l i g h t f o l d i n g where t h e s e

a r e broken i n t o b l o c k l i k e f r a g m e n t s due t o jointing.

 P e t r o g r a p h y

Texture

The m e c h a n i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n o f U p p e r B l a n d e r

Sandstone i s shown i n t h e t a b l e I.

T a b l e I

M e c l r a n i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n of U p p e r
Bhander Sandstones

(Frequency Percentage)

life® 1 HE^, , S^ , S2 , S3 , BM^ , BMg , S^g • ^18' ^22 '25

2 - 1 mm.
0-0.5
T—^ mm.
0,5-1 ^ 6.5 2,5 2.0 0.5 3.5

mm. 173.0 35.5 7.0 40.0 3.0 1.0 14.5 3.0 4.5 21.5
10-1.5(1)

i-l/8mm.
1 .50-26 119.5 31.5 57.5 37.0 24.0 41.0 38.0 31.0 53.0 47.0

l/8-l/l6mm. • 1,0 23.0 35.0 17.0 44.5 47.0 26.5 51.0 30.5 20.5
20 - 2.50 :
l/l6-l/32mm. 7.0 0.5 4.0 28.5 10.5 20,5 15.0 12.0 7.0
2.50 - 3 # !
 FIG. HISTOGRAMS SHOWING SIZE FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF
UP. BHANDER SANDSTONECURVINOHYANS)
B HO P A L

60

o: 50
UJ
ca
z
2 40

o>-
30
o
Ul
Q:
20

10

1 J.5 2 2.5 3 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

T H I N S E C T I O N

PARTICLE: SIZE IN ® U N I T S

60
a:
UJ
cn
Z 50
z

s- 60
o
z
UI
S 30
q:

^ 20

10

1 1.5 2 25 3 1 i.S 2 25 3 .5 i iS- 2 2.5 h

 FIG. HISTOGRAMS SHOWING SIZE FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF
UP. BHANDER SANDSTONE CURVINDHYANS)
B HO PAL
70

60

® 50
3

>• 40
o
z
UJ

2 30
q:

20

10

•5 1 1.5 2 2,5 5 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5

T H I N S E C T I O N

P A R T I C L E SIZE IN(DUNITS
70

60
q:
UJ
CQ
SO

o i,0
z
UJ
u
a
^ 30
u.

^ 20

10

•5 1 1.5 2 25 5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

 V)
I
z m
<
t/1 n
m
o-j om
c
< f r e q u e n c y (CUMULATIVE p e r c e n t )
o
z >
-n m^^-I

•0
>
3)

N
m
e
c
z
-t
w

w (/I
c> oo
«
tD
 A good s o r t i n g i s shown by some o f t h e samples

w h e r e 90 p e r c e n t o r more o f t h e m a t e r i a l i s concentrated

o v e r o n l y two c l a s s e s . T h i s s p r e a d i n g o f i s a t e r i a l i n two

c l a s s e s w i t h more t h a n 90 p e r c e n t o f n a t e r i a l concentration

p r o v e s t h e sample t o be v e r y w e l l s o r t e d . Some s a m p l e s

show v a r i a b l e c h a r a c t e r and t h e y show a s p r e a d i n g o-ver

f i v e c l a s s e s but i n t h e s e c l a s s e s t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n or

s p r e a d i n g i s o v e r two o r t h r e e c l a s s e s where o v e r 80 p e r

cenit o f m a t e r i a l i s s p r e a d i n t h e s e classes.
/

A v j . s u a l e s t i i m t i o n o f t h e s i z e c h a r a c t e r s t i cs can

be made f r o m t h e h i s t o g r a m shown i n f i g u r e and f i o m

t h e f r e q u e n c y c u r v e shown i n t h e f i g u r e .

The c u m r a u l a t i v e c u r v e s a r e v e r y s t e e p a n d i n d i c a t e

t h a t t h e s a n d s t o n e s a r e w e l l s o r t e d a n d homogeneous in

character, i h e c u r v e s o "verlap e a c h o t h e r w h i c h clearly

i n d i c a t e s t h e homogeneous c h a r a c t e r o f sandstones.

next page,
 Composition

The c o m p o s i t i o n of U p p e r B h a n d e r S a n d s t o n e is

shown i n t h e t a b l e II.

'J a b 1 e I I

( P e r c e n t Modal C o m p o s i t i o n )

SI. 0 1 1 1 1 1 1
5 Sample , F e l s p a r , Quartz , Eock , Qlce r t , Access-,
No. Ceimt
5 No. 1 t • ISIP- • 1 ory ,
< 1 1 1

1. 0.0 84.4 3.4 1.8 6.0 4.4

2. 0.6 88.4 1.6 1.2 2.6 5.6

3. 0.0 92.6 1.2 0.6 3.6 2.0

4. 1.2 85.4 2.8 2.6 6.0 2.0

5. 1.0 80.0 6.4 4.0 3.6 5.4

6. 1.8 80.6 4.8 5.0 3.8 4.0

7. 1.6 80.2 4.4 3.0 6.6 4.2

8. 1.2 84.2 2.8 2.6 7.2 2.0

9. 1 .6 81.8 3.8 4.0 3.2 5.4

10. 0,6 80.0 7.2 6.6 4.0 1 .6

I n t h e g i v e n a r e a t h e specimens were collected from

many p l a c e s . The s a n d s t o n e i s m a i n l y composed o f q u a r t z and

t h e v a r i a t i o n i n t h e c o m p o s i t i o n r a n g e s from 80 t o about

92 p e r c e n t o f q u a r t z by v o l u m e . This composition proves

t h e s a n d s t o n e t o be of p u r e s t v a r i e t y a n d , s o , c a n be

mentioned as orthoquartzite.

The framework i s n o m a l because t h e r e a r e normally

0.86 contacts per grain seen under microscope. The grains

t o u c h each o t h e r t o foim a s t a b l e mass. The v o i d s in

b e t w e e n a r e f i l l e d u p by d e t r i t a l m a t r i x i n t h e f o r m o f

chert, rock f r a g i s n t s and p r e c i p i t a t e d s e c o n d a r y silica

cement w h i c h shows o p t i c a l c o n t i n u i t y w i t h d e t r i t a l quartz

grain. Q u a r t z g r a i n s show a n i s o t r o p i c f a b r i c w h i c h i s

c l e a r l y s e e n by t h e o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e q u a r t z grains

w h i c h a r e g e n e r a l l y medium g r a i n e d , rounded to w e l l rounded

and w e l l s o r t e d i n character.

The s i z e o f t h e . p a r t i c l e s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e y have

been t r a n s p o r t e d f o r a long d i s t a n c e from t h e provemire.

The f a s t f l o w i n g c u r r e n t might h a v e a l s o b e e n h e l p f u l in

carving to quartz grains to smaller s i z e a t t h e time of

deposition. She i d e a o f p r o l o n g e d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i s also

s u p p o r t e d by t h e r o u n d n e s s o f q u a r t z g r a i n s w h i c h a r e

rounded t o well rounded.

The q u a r t z i s o f d e t r i t a l n a t u r e and h a s

a u t h i g e n i c o - v e r g r o w t h s on t h e d e t r i t a l g r a i n s . Tie grains
are v a r i a b l e in shape. They a r e s u b - s p h e r i c a l to

elongated. The r a t i o b e t w e e n l o n g a x e s and t h e short

axes i s variable b u t i t h a s an a v e r a g e r a t i o o f 1,5 nun.

The e l o n g a t i o n i s s u p p o s e d t o b e i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of

C-axes. T h i s e l o n g a t i o n phenomenon might h a v e b e e n

I
p r o d u c e d due t o t h e b o t t o m c u r r e n t a c t i o n and t h e orientation

p o r t i o n i s s u p p o s e d t o t o be p a r a l l e l t o t h e d i r e c t i o n o f

current flow.

S t r a i n shadows a r e common i n t h e s e c t i o n s under

crossed nicols. The g r a i n s do n o t g e t e x t i n c t when t h e

>

s t a g e of P e t r o l o g i c a l Microscope i s r o t a t e d , a t once .

T h e shadow o f d a r k ® s s p a s s e s s l o w l y f r o m o n e end t o

a n o t h e r end o f tine g r a i n b o u n d a r y s l o w l y . The phenomenon

o f s t r a i n shadow h a p p e n s due t o t h e e f f e c t s o f t h e strain,

(pressure) e x e r t e d on t h e q u a r t z g r a i n . This proves the

q u a r t z t o be of metamorphic o r i g i n . Thus t h e same

h o l d s good f o r t h e p r o v e r a a a c e . The p r e s s u r e i s not

much s t r o n g e r b e c a u s e t h e s e s t r a i n shadows a r e not

s o much p r o n o u n c e d .

I n c l u s i o n s a r e n o t v e r y common. Tte le i s no

r e g u l a r airrangement o f i n c l u s i o n s i n q u a r t z g r a i n s . The

na t u r e of i n c l u s i o n s i n d i c a t e s t h e n a t u r e o f provenance

which i s a c i . c u l a r t y p e where t h e t o u r m a l i n e , rutile,

a p a t i t e e t c . made t h e n e e d l e - l i k e i n c l u s i o n s . Regular

inclusions are there but a r e r a r e . Pew g a s e o u s bubbles

are noted. They i n d i c a t e a g r a n i t i c provenance.

C o m p o s i t e t y p e o f o v e r g r o w t h i s a l s o s e e n i n many

q u a r t z g r a i n s w h i c h p r o v e s t h e q u a r t z t o be t h e second

c y c l e q u a r t z w h i c h m i g h t h a v e c o m p l e t e d more t h a n o n e

c y c l e of e r o s i o n and d e p o s i t i o n . The o v e r g r o w t h f o r m s

a secondary rim over the d e t r i t a l g r a i n . The crystalline

form cemsiting m a t e r i a l . The n u c l e u s i s d i s t i n c t l y m a r k e d

by t h e p r e s e n c e o f i r o n o x i d e s t a i n . Sone t i m e irrigular

b o u n d a r i e s a r e n o t e d e x i s t i n g b e t w e e n t h e two g r o w i n g

n u c l e i i but t h i s case i s rare.

Quartz i s very s t a b l e mineral. The s e c o n d cycle

q u a r t z which h a s been t r a n s p o r t e d from t h e l o n g d i s t a n c e s

f o r m s 86 p e r c e n t o f r o c k by v o l u m e . Association of

h e a v y miiB r a l s l i k e t o u r m a l i n e , r u t i l e andzizircon etc.

a l o n g w i t h q u a r t z show a r e s i s t a n c e against erosion.

F e l s p a r s are very minor i n quantity.

Rock f r a g m e r t b s c o n s t i t u t e 3«8 p e r c e n t o f the

r o c k by v o l u m e . Tie s e r o c k fragms n t s seem t o be derived

f r o m i g n e o u s a n d m e t a m o r p h i c r o c k s by disintegration.

Chert i s d e t r i t a l i n nature.

Cement
ff

Silica cei® n t shows t h e o p t i c a l c o n t i n u i t y v / i t h the

d e t r i t a l quartz grains. The l a r g e number o f q u a r t z grains

a r e packed and cenented t o g e t h e r as a crystalline

aggregate. The t o u g h n e s s a n d compactrE s s o f sandstones

i n the given a r e a i s mainly r e l a t e d t o the m t u r e of the

ceisent.

I r o n - o x i d e f o m s a boundary l i n e between the

d e t r i t a l q u a r t z g r a i n s and s e p a r a t e s t h e n u c l e u s from

t h e secondary rim. The d e t r i t a l q u a r t z g r a i n s w e r e first

d e p o s i t e d a n d l a t e r t h e i r o n o x i d e cene n t was introduced.

The cement i n t h e f o r m o f s e c o n d a r y q u a r t z s e e m s t o have

o r i g i m t e d in the last stages.

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