A Presentation on Tertiary Rocks of India.pptx

The Tertiary era (66 Million years to 2.5 Million years) was part of the Cenozoic Era and this presentation starts with that definition. It also mentions the period, characterized by mammals after the K-Pg extinction, is split into Paleogene (Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene) and Neogene (Miocene, Pliocene). The Tertiary rocks of India are widespread in both peninsular and extra-peninsular areas and are mostly sedimentary. The presentation arranges the discussion of Tertiary rocks in India according to geographical location, starting with the Himalayas, where these rocks are found in the largest quantities. Then it introduces one main location at a time and within that talks about that area’s stratigraphy (specific formations), lithology (rock types), fossils history, and economy importance.

1. TERTIARY ROCKS OF INDIA By: HARISANKAR SVE Department of Applied Geology NIT Raipur

2. Tertiary Period: Tertiary period comes under Phanerozoic Eon of Cenozoic Era. Very important time in geological scale which began right after K-Pg extinction, this period is dominated by mammals as dinosaurs went extinct. Tertiary period spans between (66My-2.5My) subdivided into- Paleogene (66My-24My) Further subdidvided into Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene Epooch Neogene (24My-2.5My) Further sub divided into Miocene and pliocene

3. Tertiary period marks recent history of earth and various changes that has happened over these periods. In India tertiary rocks can be mainly found in Himalayan regions as it was formed during this period 66Mya. Most of Tertiary rocks found are generally Sedimentary in nature and they form the major part of earth surface that is exposed to air. Major Oil reserve, Coal and Lignite seams has formed during this tertiary period in various parts of India, India has variety of tertiary rocks exposed are as follows- Siwalik Groups Assam formation Deccan basalt Cauvery Formation Warkalli formation

4. Tertiary Rocks in India: Tertiary rocks in India are exposed in both peninsular and extra peninsular regions of India with significant occurrences in area like lesser Himalayas, coastal region like Gujarat, Kerala and Tamilnadu . Locations where Tertiary rocks are exposed all over India.

5. Siwalik Group (Sub Himalayas): The siwalik is a thick sedimentary sequence, that extends in E-W of Southern Himlayan belt that represents youngest mountain belt and is bounded by MBT(Main Boundary thrust) in N and HFT (Himalayan frontal thrust) in S. These sediments were deposited between Middle Miocene to lower pleistocene of Neogene system. These deposits formed during collision of Indian and eurasian plate, it yields abundant varieties of fossils. The name siwaliks was given by P.T Cautely in 1832.

6. The siwaliks hold great thickness of clastic rocks such as coarse sandstone, sand rocks, clays and conglomerate measuring between 4500-5200m thick. These later formation are similar to older formations only differences is that older formations are well consolidated and highly deformed where as siwaliks are recently deposited. These sediments mainly originated as fluvial deposits from central Himalayas getting deposited in the long and massive valley of siwaliks river. These rocks are mainly exposed in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan, the thickness of these rock beds gradually increases as we move from Pakistan to Bhutan. (2000km long)

7. Distribution of Siwaliks: The Siwaliks rocks are exposed in Jammu Kashmir, Himalayas, Uttarkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal pradesh in India. J&K: Complete development of siwaliks can be seen here Himalayas: Forms parallel foothills belt along margin of Ravi and yamuna river. Uttarkhand : It is exposed in Kalagarh basin. West Bengal: Terai region of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling district. Assam: Cachar hills Arunachal Pradesh: Mishmi hills

8. U.Pleiocene - L.Pleistocene . U. Miocene - L. Pliocene Miocene

9. Lower siwalik: Consists of 2 formation named Kamlial and Chingi formations, Lower unnit is named after kamlial district it consists of 600m-1000m thick hard sandstones and shale.Upper unit Chingi lies conformably over Kamlial formation and contains 400m-800m thick nodular shale, clay and sandstone. Middle Siwalik: Consists of 2 formations named Nagri and Dhokpathan formations, Lower unit nagri is named after nagri village it consists of inter-bedded massive micaceous sandstone, clay and shale.The overlying Dhokpathan formation contains colored sandstone, shale and clay. Upper siwalik: consists of 3 formations named Tatrot, Pinjor and boulder conglomerate formation, Tatrot consists of soft, red colored sandstone, silt best exposed in Ambala district. Pinjor and Boulder formations belongs to Quarterny age as they belong to pleistocene.

10. Fossil History of Siwaliks: Diverse Vertebrate fossils have been found including mammals, reptiles, birds and various plants in siwaliks. Mammals like Proboscideans (Elephant), Perissodactyls (Ungulates), Hipparion, Deinotherium, Rhino species, Equus have been found in these rock formations. Carnivores like saber toothes tiger, Early hyena have also been found. Early human fossils have also been found including ramapithecus and gigantopithecus. Reptiles like turtles, crocodile, snakes have also been found. Plants like dipterocarps, poaceae(grass) have also been found

11. Economic Importance of Tertiary of siwaliks: Natural Gas reserves: Siwalik sandstone holds potential hydrocarbon reserves in sub himalayan regions, ONGC has conducted various Oil and gas exploration in parts of JK, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Coal deposits: Lignite and coal deposits have been found in JK and Himachal pradesh. used for theramal power plants and electricity generation. Clay deposits: Clay rich sediemnts in siwaliks are for ceramic industries.

12. Deccan Basalts: Although not exactly part of Tertiary period, Deccan basalt formations marks the boundary between Cretaceous of Mesozoic and Paleogene of Cenozoic. These rocks were emplaced because of Indian plate moving over reunion hotspot in the Indian Ocean. Deccan Basalts mainly occupies state like maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat. This is Worlds one of the largest Igneous province after Siberian traps. Many scholars believe this might have aided in the extinction that happened 66Mya along with the asteroid impact.

13. Tertiary rocks of Assam: Tertiary rock formation of Assam is significant for their fossil content, natural gas reserves. These rocks were deposited in the Assam-Arakan basin which evolved due to the interaction between Indian plate and Eurasian plate. These sediments were deposited mainly by Fluvial, Shallow marine environments influenced by himlayan tectonics. These Tertiary rocks are mainly exposed in Upper Assam, Surma basin, Shillong and meghlaya hills and Himalayan foreland basins.

14. Classified into 5 major groups, JAINTIA DISANG BARAIL SURMA TIPAM Each group is further divided into several formations based on the dominant rock types found there, Tertiary of Assam generally have sedimentary sequences like Sandstone, silt, clay, siltstone and some limestone.

15. Jaintia group: Sub-divided into 2 formation named Sylhet limestone and kopili formation, these deposits were deposited in shallow marine environments, composing mainly of Limestone, shale and sandstone. rich in fossils like corals, mollusks, plants remains and foraminifera. Disang group: Main rock types involves shale, siltstone and mud-stone showing deep marine environments. this group is highly devoid of fossils but contains some foraminiferas. Barail group: Main rock types includes sandstones, shale, coal seams showing fluvial to deltaic environments. highly rich in fossils like plants, bivalves, gastropods and foraminiferas.

16. Surma group: Sub divided in Bhuban and bokabali formation deposited in fluvial, deltaic and shallow marine environments. It is primarily composed of sandstone, shale, and siltstone with occasional coal seams. Fossils include reptiles (Crocodile, tortoise, snake), mollusks, mammals (Rhino, early humans). Tipam group: Sub-divided into 3 named Tipam sandstone, Girujan clay formation and Dihing formation deposited in fluvial environments. It is composed of massive sandstone, clay and siltstone with significant Fe deposits. Fossils include mammals, plants and foraminiferas.

17. Fossil history of Assam: Tertiary of Assam yields numerous different types of fossils ranging from microfossils to large mammals. Microfossils: Foraminifer like Alveolina, Diatoms and radiolaria. Invertebrates: Mollusks, Corals, Echinoderms. Vertebrates: Fishes (teeth, scales), Amphibians and reptiles like crocodile, turtles and snake), Mammals like Rhinoceros, Equus, Stegodon, Early rodents are also found here. Plant fossils: Petrified wood, palmophyllum, magnolia, leguminosae

18. Economic Importance of Tertiary of Assam: Natural gas: Assam is one of the largest petrolium producing regions in india, with major oilfields like Digboi, Duliajan and Naharkatiya. Oil bearing sandstones in barail group and surma group acts as major reservoir rocks. Coal deposits: High quality coal is found in Makum coalfields used for thermal powerplants, steel industries and many other local industries. Limestone and cement industry: Sylhet limestone provide high quality limestone used for construction purposes and also as raw materials in cement industries.

19. Tertiary of Kutch: The tertiary rocks of kutch are mainly exposed in central and western parts of Kutch basin, gujarat. This is bounded in North by Rann of kutch, The gulf of kutch separates it from Saurashtra peninsular in south, Arabian sea in the west and mainland Gujarat in East.

20. General stratigraphy of Tertiary of Kutch Sub-divided into several important formation namely, Naredi Harudi Fulra Maniyara fort Khari nadi Chhasra Sandhan

21. Naredi Formation: Composed mainly of fossiliferous limestone, shale and sandstone showing shallow marine environments, it has abundant fossils like foraminifera, gastropods, lamellibranchs. Harudi Formation: Lies unconformably over naredi formation contains fossiliferous shale, fossiliferous marl and limestone showcasing shallow marine environment. Fossils include Foraminifera, gastropods, molluscs and echinoids. Fulra Formation: Lies conformably over Harudi formation composed of Limestone with sandstone showcasing shallow marine environments, highly rich in foraminifera like nummulites, discocycline and corals.

22. Maniyara Fort: Lies unconformably over fulra formation composed mainly of Fossiliferous limestone and shale deposited in shallow marine envirronments. Fossils found here includes foraminifer, corals, echinoids and lamellli. Khari nadi fformation: Lies unconformably over Maniyara fort formation, composed mainly of sandstone and shale deposited in deltaic deposition, fossils include vetebrates like crocodiles, mammals and lamellibranchs, indicating transition from marine to terrestrail condition. Sandhan Formation: Lies unconformably over khari nadi formation, mainly compose of sandstone and conglomerates deposited in fluvial environment. fossils include elephants, giraffes and bovids, indicating terrestrail setting with river influence.

23. Economic immportance of Tertiary of Kutch: Lignite deposits: Used as fuel source for thermal power generation, supports local industries and electricty generation in Gujarat. Limestone: Naredi and Dulra formation yields high quality Limestone used as raw materials in cement industries and construction purposes. Hydrocarbon potential: Presence of oragnic rich shale sugggest Hydrocarbon generation, Various exploration has been udergone by ONGC. Clay and kaolinite depoosits: Used as raw materials in Ceraamic industries

24. Tertiary of Cauvery: Cauvery is a major river in south india forming its delta in Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu. Cauvery basin belongs to east coast margin basin which consist of terrestrial and marginal marine deposits. A change from marine to continental sedimentation has happened during tertiary period in this region. It mainly consists of Lignite, Limestone and Sandstone.

25. Neyveli Formation: Also called as Neyveli lignite formation, one of the most significant lignite bearing formations. This formation is mainly non-marine, deposited in humid, swampy environment during miocene. Mainly composed of Lignite seams, Clay and sandy clay, fine sandstone and silliceous and ferruginious concreations.

26. Cuddalore formation: Late miocene to pliocene sediemntary unit found along easter coast of Tamilnadu. This formation is composed mainly of Fluvial and deltaic sediemnts deposited by ancient rivers. Main rock type found here are ferruginious sandstone, clay and sandy clay, Conglomerates.

27. Fossil history of Cauvery: Both formations yield varity of fossils including mammals, verterbrates and invertebrates and various foraminiferas. Fossilized wood, Sillicified wood are abundant in Cuddalore formations. Vertebrates like Turtles are also found here. Fossilized fish, Crocodile and rare mammal bones are also sometimes found in these regions.

28. Economic importance of Tertiary of Cauvery: Lignite deposits: Indias largest lignite reserve is found here, used in thermal power generation and industrial fuel, supports NLC (Neyveli Lignite corporation) a major contributor in India energy sector. Limestone: Cuddalore limestone are famous for there Durablity hence mainly used in construction and for cement making purposes. Clay and Marls : Kaolinite rich clays used in Ceramics, bricks and pottery industries. Hydrocarbons: Tertiary rock in cuddalore holds potential HC reserve, several petrolium exploration activities has been undergone in this are to exttract those Natural gases.

29. Tertiary of Kerala: This marks a important Tertiary sequence in Indian stratigraphy, these were deposited between paleocene and pliocene periods and records significant geological events such as marine transgression, regression and climate changes. These rocks are mainly found in kerala basin, a narrow sedimentary belt extending along SW coast of India. The tertiary sequence consists of marine limestones, fossiliferous marls, sandstones and liignite beds with clay deposits, indicating transition from marine to fluvial environments.

30. Vaikom Formation: (25-20 Mya) Oldest tertiary formation in Kerala representing shallow marine to lagoonal deposits from late oligocene to early miocene. This formation is mainly composed of Fossiliferous limestoe, dark green claystone and interbedded sandstones. This formation is rich in Marine fossils like foraminifera, Mollusks, Echinoids and corals. Quilon Formation: (20-16 Mya) Named after Kollam district where it is most exposed main lithology involves Fossiliferous limestone, marl embedded with fossils and sandy and calcareous claystone. These Limestones reflect warm, tropical shallow marine environment. Fossils like Ostrea, Turritela, Cardium, Corals, Echinoids are abundant in this formation.

31. Warkali Formation: (10-5 Mya) Named after Varkala (Waterfalls) where it is exposed along cliffs near arabian sea. Main lithology involves Ferruginious sandstone, Lignite beds and clay stones indicating fluvial or lagoonal deposition. Presence of lignite shows swampy and humid climatic conditions. Warkali formation is abundant with plant fossils unlike other two formation which are abundant in marine fossils. .Various fossilized woods, leaf impressions in clay and lignite layers can be found in this formation.

32. Economic Importance of Tertiary of Kerala: Lignite Deposits: Used for fuel source in local industries and power generation. Limestone: Used in Cement Industries, high quality marine limestone used for construction materials. Clay and marls: Used in ceramic and brick industries for manufacturig tiles and pottery. Ferrrugionious sandstone: Rich in Fe oxides, contributing in formation of laterite soils.

33. THANK YOU Reference: 1.) Paleontology by PC Jain 2.) Stratigraphy of India by Ravindra Kumar