Geological Field Report

ON

Barishal-Laharhat River Section

Submitted To

Dr. Dhiman Kumer Roy

Assistant professor,
Department Of Geology and Mining
University Of Barishal

Md. Hasnat Jaman

Lecturer,
Department Of Geology and Mining
University Of Barishal
Submitted By
Name : Asiqul Haque
Department : Geology and Mining
Class Roll : 18 glm 032
Exam Roll : GLM001
Reg. No. : 18103218
Year : 2nd

Session : 2017-18

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 ABSTRACT

Field work is a vital component of Geological Research. The theoretical erudition gathered in
classroom can be experienced practically by fieldwork in the study of Earth's geological
characteristics and components. It is nearly impossible to learn about geology extensively
without doing research or practical analysis in the field. Students of geology will be benefited
from doing field research in a variety of locations. We did analysis on the Laharhat River
Section in Barishal district for two days as a means of field study of 2nd year. The University
of Barishal's Department of Geology and Mining second-year course includes this field work ,
as , in Laharhat, there are various geological structures , features and formations that may be
studied in the field analysis of Geology.

Our studied area is situated in the southern part of Bangladesh. Laharhat is mainly a riverine
area that is located in a gravity-rich geosyncline. A variety of constructions, floodplain, natural
levees, tidal creeks and ripple marks were found during our field investigation of the Laharhat
River segment.

We mainly did our field analysis at the bank of river Kalabadar. Kalabadar is a branch river of
Kirtonkhola river and this report describes the information gathered from this river. The
physiographic conditions, geomorphic characteristics, and hydro-geological resources are all
described in detail as well. We have explored rivers, tides, swamp area, liquefaction, and other
features. A fluvial habitat for the sediments was developed using lithology, sedimentary
structures, particle size characteristics, and degree of sorting.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Foremost, I would like to express my earnest thanks to the Almighty for giving me such a great
opportunity to participate in a field trip on Barishal-Laharhat River Section.

I would like to express my heartiest thanks and gratitude to our honourable chairman sir, Sukhen
Goswami, Assistant Professor, Department of Geology and Mining, University of Barishal
for arranging such a Geological Field Work at Laharhat, Barishal.

I would also like to offer my heartiest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Dhiman Kumer Roy,
Department of Geology and Mining, Assistant Professor, University of Barishal for his
kind affection, vigorous assistance, valuable instructions and perspective guidance to make our
field work successful.

I also like to offer my earnest thanks and appreciation to Md Hasnat Jaman, Department of
Geology and Mining, Lecturer, University of Barishal for his genuine compassion,
enthusiastic aid, insightful directions, and strategic counsel to ensure the success of our field
work.

I’m thankful to the Department of Geology and Mining, University of Barishal for arranging
such an event which helps us to evaluate our knowledge that we learnt in our academic session.

Our field work lasted from November 5th and 6th of 2021, which not only helped us to complete
our field work smoothly but also helped us to investigate all the important formations across the
field study area.

I also offer thanks to the chefs of Akash Restaurant who cooked healthy and hygienic food for us
timely.

At last, I want to thank my group members who were very active from the very beginning of
our field work. Their cooperation and collaboration helped the team to make our field work
effective.

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 Contents
Abstract
Acknowledgement

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Literature Review
1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study
1.4 Location, Extent and Accessibility
2. GEOLOGICAL SETTING OF THE STUDY AREA
2.1 Tectonic Elements of Bengal Basin
2.2 Structural Setting
2.3 Tectonic or Geological Evolution
3. PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE STUDIED AREA
3.1 Topography and Relief
3.2 Drainage Pattern
3.3 Vegetation and Cultivation
3.4 Population and Culture
3.5 Climate
4. Methodology
4.1 Field Survey
4.2 Instruments
5. STRUCTURES
5.1 Sedimentary Structures
5.2 Geomorphic Features
6. FLUVIAL INFLUENCE
6.1 Tide
6.2 Wave
7. LABORATORY ANALYSIS
8. STRATIGRAPHIC AND CORRELATION
8.1 General Statement
8.2 Stratigraphic Succession
9. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
10. Conclusion
References

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 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Literature Review

Location, Extent and Accessibility

Aims and Objectives of the Study

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1.1 Introduction
The scientific study of the Earth is known as geology. It is a visually based science. It is
concerned with natural Earth phenomena like mountain creation, rock formation, the inside and
outside of the Earth, and so on. That is why, in addition to academic knowledge, field research
and possible experience are critical.

Geological field work includes studying and explaining rocks, topographic shapes, drainage
patterns, and structural characteristics such as fold, fault, joint, and unconformity, as well as
mapping this geologic data on a base map. Following the collection of data, more effort is
required to create lithological succession. Finding the axis of the whole anticline is a critical
job.

A significant amount of effort is required to learn about the hydro-geological processes, history,
structures, and economic relevance of the Barishal areas. Our department organized a field trip
to the Kirtonkhola branch river segment in the Barishal area. A group of second-year BS (Hons)
students from the 2017-18 session went on a two-day field trip.

1.2 Literature Review

Not many geologists have surveyed the Kirtonkhola river branch section in the southern part
of Bangladesh. Just a few of the newspapers provide some information about the flood and
crop productivity of the region.

1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study

Field research generally entails gaining geologic information. It examines the structure,
physical properties, stratigraphy, and hydro-geological aspects using methodologies and
procedures. Bangladesh's southern region is a depositional environment. The sediments and
creatures observed in this location are all of recent age. The location is ideal for geologic
research. Massive sediment heaps are exposed to be investigated and added to our
understanding of nature's intricacies. Our major goal was to observe and analyze the region's
sedimentation history, structure, stratigraphy, fossils, depositional environment, and economic
geology, as well as to create a geological map of the area under investigation.The purposes can
be described briefly as-

✔ To require a practical knowledge of the geology of the area.

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 ✔ To investigate the nature and types of the exposed sedimentary rocks of the studied
area.
✔ To interpret lithology.

✔ To identify and subdivide various stratigraphic units in the area.

✔ To study the sedimentary structures and other structural features.
✔ To interpret the geologic history of the area.
✔ To predict the economic importance of the area.

Location, Extent and Accessibility

The Kalabadar river is about 55 km from Barishal Launch Ghat, Barishal. The investigated
area lies between N22°42’27'' to N22°40’31” latitude and E90°24’28” to E90°29'0.0 ``
longitude. It is situated about 200 km south-east of Dhaka city. The transportation system of
the study area was very comfortable . We could fairly communicate from one place to another
by boat. The river sections were easily accessible due to having good river transportations.

Figure: Barishal Sadar Upazila

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 CHAPTER TWO
GEOLOGICAL SETTING OF THE STUDY AREA

Tectonic Elements of Bengal Basin

Structural Setting

Tectonic and Geological Evolution

7
2.1 Tectonic Elements of Bengal Basin
Tectonic Framework refers to the basic structural frame on which Bangladesh stands. It is
essential to have a clear conception about the tectonic framework of Bangladesh in order to
evaluate the prospect of Mineral Resources including oil and Natural Gas.
The Bengal basin was developed during the Late Cretaceous. The tectonic elements of the
Bengal basin are given below;

⮚ Stable Platform (N-NW

Trending)

i). Rangpur Saddle

ii). Northern Slope of Rangpur Saddle
iii). Southern Slope of Rangpur Saddle
⮚ Hinge Zone (NE-SW Trending)
⮚ Geosynclinal Basins E-SW
Trending )

i). Foredeep in the west

✔ Faridpur trough
✔ Hatiya trough Low
✔ Surma basin
✔ Barisal Chandpur gravity high
✔ Madhupur Tripura threshold High
✔ Tripura uplift
ii). Fore Belt in the West

✔ Western Zone
✔ Eastern Zone
iii). The Sub Himalayan Fore deep

The Bengal Basin is bordered on the north by the Precambrian Shillong Plateau and to the west
by the Indian Platform. To the east rises the Arakan-Yoma-Naga folded system, and to the
south it plunges into the Bay of Bengal. The Bengal Basin is an exo geosyncline – that is, one
in which thick detrital sediments within the craton were derived from uplift beyond the margin
of the craton. The Bengal foredeep is a part of the exo geosyncline. The Bengal exo geosyncline
8
is one of the world’s largest, and is part of the Bengal Geosyncline. The latter includes the
Bengal Basin and the Bay of Bengal (Alam 1989).

The major structures described below are: 1) shelf zone, 2) hinge zone, 3) Geosynclines basin
(E-SE trending)

2.1.1 Shelf zone: Shelf Zone is a major tectonic element of Bangladesh lying in the western
and north-western portion of it. The margin has a northeast-southwest trend along which the
basement complex slopes steeply downward to form a hinge zone. The thickness of the
sediments over the shelf is about 3000m and they are marked by several unconformities ( Alam
1989). The northern portion is known as the Rangpur platform and the southern portion is the
Bogra shelf. The Indian shield and Shillong massif are connected by the Rangpur platform. The
width of the platform is 100 km. Here, the slope is fairly smooth according to the seismic data.
The sedimentary deposits of this area form monoclinal beds with dips of 1–2°. Towards the
northern portion of the platform the plunge of the basement is about 3 –4° and the depth of the
basement is over 2000 m.
Southern slope of the Rangpur platform is gently plunging towards the southeast and extends
to the Calcutta-Mymensingh hinge zone. The thickness of sedimentary rocks is increasing
towards the southeast. The thickness of the sediments over the shelf is about 8000 m and they
are marked by several unconformities.
The basement complex near the western margin of the shelf is marked by a series of buried
ridges and normal gravity faults. The east-west trending Dauki fault separates the stable shelf
and the Shillong massif. The shelf experienced the first marine transgression during the Late
Cretaceous. The second major one was in the Miocene generated by the uplift of the Himalayan
and Burman ranges.
In Rangpur Saddle the basement is the most uplifted and is covered with thin sedimentary
deposits. In the Madhyapara area of Dinajpur the basement is only 130m deep from the ground
surface and is overlain by Dupi Tila Sandstone and Madhupur Clay of Plio-Pleistocene age.
Rangpur Saddle can be divided into 3 parts- Rangpur Saddle, Northern Slope of Rangpur
Saddle and Southern Slope of Rangpur Saddle.
Bogra Shelf represents the southern slope of Rangpur Saddle which is a regional monocline
plunging towards southeast gently to Hinge Zone. This zone marks the transition between the
Rangpur Saddle and the Bengal Foredeep from a depositional as well as structural point of
view. (Badrul Alam, Energy Resources of Bangladesh, Second Edition, 2013

9
2.1.1 Hinge zone: Hinge zone is a narrow zone of 25 km in width. Here, the monoclinal dip is
5–6°. The bed dips over 20° in the hinge - line (Guha 1978). The hinge zone in the northeast
seems to be connected
with the Dauki fault by a series of east-west trending faults. It is also marked by deep basement
faults probably started with the breakup of Gondwanaland. (Badrul Alam, Energy Resources
of Bangladesh, Second Edition ,2013)

2.1.2 Geosynclinal Basin: Geosynclinal basin is the geosynclines basin in the southeast is
characterised by the huge thickness (maximum of about 20 km near the basin centre) of clastic
sedimentary rocks, mostly sandstone and shale of Tertiary age. It occupies the greater Dhaka-
Faridpur-Noakhali-Sylhet [Silet]-Comilla [Comilla]-Chittagong areas. (Badrul Alam, Energy
Resources of Bangladesh, Second Edition, 2013)

2.1.3 The Bengal foredeep: It is a large elongated trough, occupies the vast area between the
hinge-line and Arakan-Yoma-Naga folded system. This is the deeper part of the Bengal Basin
where the basement is deeply subsided here and the subsidence is directly related with the uplift
of Himalayas-Burmese mountain chain. It is about 450 km wide in the south of Bangladesh
and narrowing towards the northeast. The Basement is probably 12–15 km deep. The folded
belts of the Indo - Burman ranges mark the eastern boundary of the Bengal foredeep. The total
thickness of the sediments here is high which exceeds 12,000m.
Bengal Foredeep occupies the vast area between Hinge Line and Arakan Yoma Folded System
and plays the most important role in the tectonic history of Bengal Basin. Tectonically, Bengal
Foredeep can be divided into two major regions- (a) Western Platform Flank and (b) Eastern
Folded Flank. According to gravity surveys and drilling data reported by Bakhtine (1966),
Guha (1978), Khan (1980), Matin et al. (1983), the Bengal foredeep can be further subdivided
into five sub -zones: 1) Faridpur trough, 2) Barisal gravity high, 3) Hatia trough, 4) Sylhet
trough, and 5) South Shillong shelf zone.
2.1.4 Fold belt: The eastern side of the Bengal Basin is bordered by a mobile belt known as
Tripura - Chittagong fold belt, which extends north south as part of the Indo Burmese mobile
belt. In Bangladesh, this belt is represented mainly by the hills of the Chittagong Hill tracts,
Chittagong and Sylhet, which appear to be analogous to the Sub Himalayan or Siwalik ranges.
They are characterized by the presence of long narrow folds composed of thick sandy shales
of the Neogene age, which are 4000–8000 m thick ( Alam1989).

10
The structure of this belt is of three categories: 1) On the west, they show box like forms, 2)
the hills of the middle portion are of disturbed asymmetric structures, and 3) those on the
eastside have more highly disturbed and complicated structures.
2.1.5 The Sub Himalayan fore deep is a continuous east - west Indo - Gangetic geosynclinal
belt extending along the south foot of the Himalayas. Part of it cuts into Bangladesh in the
northwest corner (Fig. 3). The sediments of this unit include coarse to fine clastic that are
derived directly from the Himalayan uplift and are essentially of fluvial molasses in character.
The north margin of this fore deep is strongly folded and faulted (Alam 1989).
The Neogene sedimentary sequence developed here are largely unfossiliferous and consists
mainly of the alteration of shales, clays, clay stones, siltstones and sandstones with occasional
intraformational conglomerates which can be subdivided into nine formations on the basis of
lithology. It is recently reported that turbidity facies assemblage have been recorded in Bhuban
rocks in Sitapur anticline representing Bouma sequence with 5 well defined cycles which need
confirmation by extensive further investigation.

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 Map: Tectonic Map of Bangladesh

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2.2 Structural Setting

Bangladesh is divided into two major tectonic units:

i) Stable Pre-Cambrian Platform in the northwest, and
ii) Geosynclinal basin in the southeast.

A third unit, a narrow northeast-southwest trending zone called the hinge zone, separates the
above two units almost through the middle of the country. This hinge zone is currently known
as palaeo continental slope

Stable Pre-Cambrian Platform in Bangladesh, Stable Pre-Cambrian Platform refers to the stable
shelf of the bengal basin. It is the part of the basin that lies on the west and northwest of the
line joining Calcutta and mymensingh. This line is frequently referred to as Calcutta-
Mymensingh gravity high, which represents the hinge zone of the basin or the basinward
extension of the stable shelf.

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 Map: Structural Setting Map of Bangladesh

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2.3 Tectonic or Geological Evolution

According to the continental drift theory, the supercontinent Pangaea divides into two parts.
One is Gondwana and the other is Laurasia. The separation of East Gondwanaland comprising
India, Australia and Antarctica took place into three major stages.
The first contract of the northwards moving Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate took place in
Palaeocene/Lower Eocene. Subsequent subduction led to the formation of an ophiolite and
mélange belt and later to the rising Indo-Burman Orogeny. The latter finally separated the
Burmese basins in the east from the Bengal Basin in the west.
The eastern margin of the Bengal Basin coincides with the frontal Fold Belt of the Indo-Burman
Ranges. Molasse-like Miocene-Pliocene deposits were folded into a series of elongated,
generally N-S striking anticlinal and synclinal structures. The Fold Belt stretches from the
Chittagong Hill Tracts in the south east to the southern edge of the Shilong Massif in the north,
traversing the Indian state of Tripura and the eastern portion of the Surma Basin.
After the Pre-Cambrian era, the history of the basement complex was one of the peneplanation
until Permo-Carboniferous time when Permian, Mesozoic and Gondwana sediments with coal
accumulated in the western side of the basin. The breakup of Gondowanaland led to the
eventual separation of peninsular India from the southern continents, permitting a Cretaceous
marine transgression (Alam 1989).
The Bengal Basin has been filled with sediments from the north, east and west. During this
process, the basin has generally deepened and the sea level has varied considerably from its
present position. During the Cretaceous Period, the sea transgressed northwards towards the
southern edge of the Shillong plateau and subsequently regressed far south into the Bengal
Basin, causing at least four major transgressions and regressions. Argillaceous and arenaceous
deposits accumulated on the stable shelf zone in freshwater to littoral facies. The sedimentation
at the same time in the fore deep and mobile belt was marine, at least during the late Cretaceous
(Alam 1989).
From the Paleocene to the early Eocene, the shelf was subjected to repeated submergence and
emergence marked by the Tura Sandstone (240 m). Extensive marine transgression took place
in the Middle Eocene and the hinge-line was initiated due to a deeply seated basement fault
between the stable shelf to the north – west and a geosynclinal trough to the south – east (Raju
1968). The Nummulitic Sylhet Limestone was deposited over most of the shelf area (about 245
m) in a shallow clear water and open marine shelf environment in a warm climate.
During the Late Eocene Period, the Kopili Formation (238 m) consisting of carbonaceous
pyritic shale and glauconitic sandstone (Ahmed & Zaher 1965) was deposited in a brackish to
15
marine environment. The formation contains micro foraminiferal assemblages of Globorotalia
cocoensis biozone (Khan & Mominullah 1980).
During the Paleocene to Eocene period, the Jaintia Group consists of three formations: Tura
Sandstone, Sylhet Limestone and the Kopili Formation, which were deposited on the shelf
(Total thickness is 725 m) in a shallow marine and marine environment.
The upliftment of the Arakan – Yoma – Chin geanticline and basin – wide movement took
place in the Early Oligocene. The sea regressed from the Shillong Plateau area and fluviomarine
Barail sediments were deposited along the southern rim of the Shillong Plateau; at the same
time the area extending from the SB to the Chittagong Hill Tracts subsided and was filled with
fine grained marine Barail shales and siltstones (Holtrop & Keizer 1969). The thickness of the
Barail Group generally decreases towards the shelf. The deposition of the Barail Group in the
fore deep basin and the mobile belt varies from 800-1000 m whereas on the shelf it is only 163
m and is represented by the Bogra Formation (Ahmed & Zaher 1965). The thickness of
formations here is approximate and varies considerably from well to well.
During the Miocene, a major uplift began in the Himalayas subjecting the Bengal Basin to
related tectonic movements (Fairbridge 1983). The deep basin featured conspicuous subsidence
and marine transgressions through much of the Miocene. The SG (5000 m) and the Tipam
Group (2270 m) were then deposited in deltaic to shallow marine and continental environments,
prograding to the southeast with depositional conditions changing to marine (Alam 1989).
The SG has been divided into Bhuban and BokaBil Formation in the geosynclines facies of
Bangladesh. The Bhuban Formation was deposited in an environment ranging from a shallow
inner neritic to a lower

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 CHAPTER THREE
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE STUDY
AREA
Topography and relief

Drainage pattern

Vegetation and Cultivation

Population and Culture

Climate

17
3.1 Topography and Relief
The topography of the investigated area is plain landform with a little or no slope with
elevations ranging from 1.20 to 1.40 m and crisscrossed by many rivers and tributaries
supporting the fact that this is a floodplain. Numerous deep to shallow rivers are present here.
Numerous river valleys flourish on the surface of the field area. Most of the valleys are
associated with fluvial erosion force.

Map: Topographic Map of Bangladesh

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 3.2 Drainage Pattern

A drainage basin is any area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common
outlet such as into a river, Bay ,lake ,or other body of water.Barisal district is mainly connected
to Kirtonkhola river.The studied area is connected to Kirtonkhola river,Aryal khan and
Kalabadar river.

According to our observation,”Dendritic” pattern is common in the southern & eastern part.But
the drainage pattern of this area is mainly dendritic which indicates the underlying bedrock is
uniform.

This dendritic system of river is decorated with various types of geomorphic features related to
the streams.

3.3 Vegetation and Cultivation

The investigated area does not occupy any remarkable forest cover. Most of the area is
occupied by human settlements because of the fertile alluvium deposits of the rivers which is
due to the good and suitable climatic condition of this region. Throughout the field area
bushes are abundant with some fruit trees like mango, jackfruit, guava are also numerous.
Besides this, tall trees like raintree, coconut tree, Nut trees are not uncommon. The major
agricultural activity of this area is seasonal cultivation, they grow paddy, potato, watermelon,
maize etc. Generally, cultivation is preferred on fertile river banks and on floodplains where
rivers have deposited clay size particles. Hogla trees are abundant on river sides as they are a
type of aquatic grass. The shallow river sides help them to grow at a large number

3.3 Population and Culture

Most of the people of the region are of Muslim religion included with Hindus. They
mainly hold occupation of fishing or different types of laborious activity. Culturally the people
are highly dependent on their religious activities.
The cultivation on river side land is dependent on the season. In Summer there is a huge
19
possibility of flooding the land area so in this season no major crops are cultivated in this area.
Watermelon, Calabash etc are different types of scaffolding plants cultivated in this area.

In winter paddy, winter vegetables are cultivated in this area.b

3.4 Climate

The area can be characterized by tropical to subtropical climatic conditions. The

The average temperature in Rangamati is 25.6 °C. The rainfall here averages 2005 mm.
Three distinct seasons are felt in Barisal and adjoining areas.
● The summer starts from march and with high temperature and moderate precipitation, it
lasts till May
● In June the monsoon begins and continue up to October, with dark cloud in sky and
heavy rainfall with dusty wind and often cyclonic storm
● Characterized by pleasant cool and dry weather begins from November and ends in
February.

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 CHAPTER FOUR
1. Methodology
1.1 Field Survey

1.2 Instruments

21
4.1 Field Survey
Geology is the study of the liquid and solid substances that form the earth. The discipline of
geology includes the examination of the composition, properties, and history of the earth
materials. The technique of their formation, movement, and changes involved are also studied.
Geological field survey is an essential engineering discipline that is important for the extraction
of minerals and hydrocarbons. It includes topographic mapping that is performed by numerous
surveying companies by using modern surveying instruments. Geological information can be
obtained by land survey techniques to assist in mitigating damage due to natural disasters. A
geological survey is concerned with the methodical study of the subsurface for creation of
geological maps.
Our investigation was based on a traversal method. We were divided into several groups
consisting of six members guided by honourable teachers. Our investigation was carried out
along charas and road cut sections where well exposure was found. Geological study in this
field area was carried out mainly by compass–Clinometer traverse method. The Study area was
divided into some sections. The Attitudes of the bed and bearing were measured with the help
of the clinometer and the distance were measured by spacing and tape. The lithology along
different Sections were studied by naked eye and by hand pocket lens. Samples were collected
from the various rock types for further laboratory analysis. Photographs were taken where even
necessary column sections were drawn to show the stratigraphic sequence.

Procedures:
Taking locations and bearing: Aerial distance was measured by taking pacing. Bearing of the
section was measured by a clinometer.

22
Lithologic investigation: The lithology of the area was studied by observing good exposures
emphasizing on the following aspects colour, texture, composition and sharp contact of various
rock strata. Presence of carbonate was determined by using dilute HCl.
Structural investigations: Attitude of the bed i.e. dip direction and amount of dip measured
with the help of clinometers. Hammer was used for cleaning and finding beds in rough,
disturbed and vegetated outcrops.
Stratigraphic investigations: The stratigraphic succession was made by observing the
position of different rock units in the field, their lithology as well as thickness. Unconformity
or time gap between two different types of lithology is marked by erosional surface, laterite
band and soil.
Collecting samples: Samples were collected in sample bags from different rock strata of
different sections with proper labelling for further study in the lab.

4.2 Instruments

The following instruments were used for the fieldwork:

1. Compass-clinometer: It is used to measure the bearing as well as the attitudes of the beds
and structure

Figure: Instruments

23
2. Hammer: Hammer is used to break rock for leveling the bedding Planes and climbing on
the hills.
3. Pocket lens: It is used to recognize the grain size, angularity, roundness, Shape of the
fragments and composition.
4. Field notebook: Field notebook is used to record the attitude of beds, lithology and other
important information which were related to the field study.
5. Acid Bottle: Hydrochloric acid is used to identify the rock when the rocks contain
calcareous or not.
6. Tape: Tape is used for measuring the approximate thickness of beds, length and width of
the concretion, diameter or boulder length traverse etc.
7. Scale: Scale is used for taking the wavelength and amplitude of ripple marks, lamination
and micro lamination.
8. Camera: It was used for taking important exposure to different geologic and
geomorphological features such as fault, unconformity, joint, concretion etc.
9. Knife: It is used for cutting bedding planes and for travelling bedding planes.
10. Sampling bag: It is used for collecting respective samples for laboratory analysis.

11. GPS meter: It is used to determine longitude and latitude and the elevation of a station.

24
 CHAPTER FIVE
STRUCTURES
Sedimentary Structures

Geomorphic Features

25
5.1 Sedimentary Structures
Sedimentary structures are large scale features of sedimentary rock such as bedding ,
lamination, planar cross bedding, trough cross bedding, ripples and mud cracks that are best
studied in the field. They are generated by a variety of sedimentary processes including fluid
flow, sediment gravity flow, soft sediment deformation and biogenic activity. (Principles of
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (5th Edition) by Boggs Jr., Sam)

The most sedimentary structures we found on our field work are described below;

Ripple marks: Ripple marks are sedimentary structures and indicate agitation by water
(current or waves) or wind.Ripple marks are ridges of sediment that form in response to wind
blowing along a layer of sediment. Ripple marks form perpendicular to the wind direction and
each ridge is roughly equidistant from the ripple mark on either side.

Fig: Ripple Marks

26
Massive Bedding: The term massive bedding is used to describe beds that appear
to be homogeneous and lacking in internal structures it is assumed that lack of
stratification is a primary feature that occurs in the absence of traction transport
and results from Very rapid deposition from suspension or deposition from very
highly concentrated Sediment dispersions dttring sediment-gravity flows.

Fig: Massive Bedding

Lenticular bedding: Lenticular bedding is a structure formed by interbedded mud

and ripple cross-laminated sand in which the ripples or sand lenses are
discontinuous and isolated m both a vertical and a horizontal direction.

27
 Fig: Lenticular Bedding

Bioturbation: Bioturbation is the reworking of sediment by living organisms. It

may enhance or decrease porosity and permeability. Bioturbation can offer clues to

Fig: Bioturbation

28
 the depositional environment; vertical burrows may indicate shallow water,
specifically the tidal zone, because the organisms moved up and down in the
substrate as the tide ebbed and flowed.

5.2 Geomorphic Features

i. Point Bar: A point bar is a depositional feature made of alluvium that accumulates
on the inside bend of streams and rivers below the slip-off slope. Point bars are
found in abundance in mature or meandering streams. They are crescent-shaped
and located on the inside of a stream bend, being very similar to, though often
smaller than, towheads, or river islands
Fig: Point Bar and Cut Bank

29
 ii. River and stream: A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater,
flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. A stream is a body of water
with surface water flowing within the bed and banks of a channel. The stream
encompasses surface and groundwater fluxes that respond to geological,
geomorphological, hydrological and biotic controls.
iii. Natural levee: They are low, linear, and parallel ridges of coarse deposits along the
banks of rivers quite often cut into individual mounds. It is formed when the
movement of water pushes sediment to the side of rivers and creeks.

Fig: Natural Levee

iv. Tidal Creeks: A tidal creek refers to a small waterway that contains mixed water
origin. It is the part of a stream that is affected by the river tides. A tidal creek is
30
also called a tidal channel. During low tides, the creeks may dry up forming a
muddy channel. On the other hand, during high tides, they have large amounts of
water. At our study area the tidal creeks are used for irrigation by the local farmers.
Fig: Tidal Creek

v. Cutbank: Cut banks are found on the outside of a bend in a meandering river. Cut
banks are caused by the moving water of the river wearing away the earth. As water
flows around these curves, the outer edge of water is moving faster than the inner.
This creates an erosional surface on the outer edge.

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 CHAPTER SIX
Fluvial Influences
Wave

Tide

32
6.1 Wave

Wave is simply a ridge or swell on the surface of a body of water, normally having
a forward motion distinct from the oscillatory motion of the particles that successively compose
it. If we consider the waves in a particular waterbody, they can be of 2 types as
follows-
Progressive Waves: in which the crests and troughs appear to travel at a steady
speed in a direction at right angles to themselves.
Standing Waves: In which there is no progression. In this case, there is no rise and
fall at all in some places, the nodes, while elsewhere the surface rises to a crest and
then falls to a trough at a regular frequency.
Fig: Wave

6.2 Tides

Tides are the short-term periodic rise and fall of the world's oceans. They result

33
from the gravitational interaction between the Earth, the moon and to a lesser
extent, the Sun. Different parts of the world experience different tidal regimes.
Spring tide, this is when the lunar tidal bulge and the solar tidal bulge are
superimposed upon one another. This occurs when the Sun and the moon are
aligned in space at either new moon or full moon. Spring high tides are higher and
spring low tides are lower than average.

Fig: Tide

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 CHAPTER SEVEN
LABORATORY ANALYSIS

35
As we didn’t have access to laboratory equipment, we couldn’t have done any experiments, thus
no analysis can be provided.

36
 CHAPTER EIGHT
STRATIGRAPHIC AND CORRELATION
General Description

Stratigraphic Succession

37
 8.1 General Description
The studied area contains sediments of recent deposit. So, no well accumulated rock sequence
was not found. We encountered sediments ranging from clay to sand. Here in our stratigraphic
successions we will discuss only those sediment accumulations and their internal arrangements.

8.2 Stratigraphic Succession

The following pages exhibit some of the most significant cross sections of the sediment layers
in free hand to facilitate comprehension. Each cross section demonstrates that they are the
consequence of tidal deposition.

Fig: Station 1 & 2

38
 Fig: Station 3

39
 Fig: Station 4

40
 Fig: Station 5

41
 CHAPTER NINE
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

42
 Economic Geology
As far as discovered the study area does not contain any significant mineral deposit. While this
geographical location does not have a significant amount of petroleum or minerals, it does have
some regional significance. Specifically, the canal links two districts, each of which contributes
to the district's commerce. The people' primary occupations are fishing and farming, which is
also a contribution of the river.

43
 ` Chapter 10
Conclusion

44
 CONCLUSION

Based on the obtained discussion, Barishal Barishal-Laharhat river section is situated on two
active channels the Kirtonkhola and the bukhainagar river.Due to situated on active channel
the study area's geomorphic features is being deformed day by day.

The study area has been built on the plane surface area of stream deposits, delta plain deposits
and floodplain deposits. The area is covered with alluvial sediments. The northern part of the
city is limited to Dhaka Division and its southern part is limited to the Bay of
Bengal.Geologically Barishal district has a high potential of flood,river erosion and natural
calamities.
Barishal is located in a very low risk seismic zone of Bangladesh.

45
 References
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geological constraints.Advances in Environmental Research, Vol. 5, No. 2 (2016) 95-108.DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/aer.2016.5.2.095.

[2] Sukhen Goswami , A. K. M. Moshiur Rahman, M. I. M. Fuad, Dhiman Kumer Roy and Abdur
Rahim (2017).Groundwater Quality Assessment of Barisal City Corporation in Bangladesh.Barisal
University Journal Part 1, 4(2):339-350 (2017).ISSN 2411-247X.

[3] Weather Atlas.Monthly weather forecast and climate Barisal Bangladesh.site: https://www.weather-
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[4] Md. Shafiqul Islam, Tania Yeasmin , Md. Hamidul Islam and Md. Mir Al-Amin(2015).Assessing the
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[5] MAPNALL Topographic Map of Barisal.

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[6] Reliefweb Flood Inundation from Cyclone Roanu in Barisal, Bangladesh (May
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may-2016

[7] NUMBEO Pollution in Barisal, Bangladesh. site: https://www.numbeo.com/pollution/in/Barisal

[8] S. K. Garg (2003). Physical and Engineering Geology. Khanna Publishers, India.

[9] “Little rain submerges the city road” (Published: 08:07 PM, 27 May 2020), Daily Bangladesh. site:
https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/english/Little-rain-submerges-the-city-road/43534

[10] “River erosion turns severe in Barisal city” (Published:4 July, 2015 00:00 00 AM), The
Independent site: http://www.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/6344

[11] Ahmed Hossain, Farhana Kabir and Keya Roy (2016). Correlation between Temperature Change
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(ICACE 2016). Paper ID: 123

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