Abstract
Bhuban sandstones in the Bhuban Formation of Surma Group in Mizoram are well exposed in an N-S trending hill range in the city of Aizawl. The petrological studies reveal that quartz, mica, feldspar and lithic fragments are the main constituents of sandstones. Quartz grains exhibited angular to sub-angular with sub-rounded grains suggesting short transport deposition and immature sediment. The sandstones are poorly sorted and mostly cemented by calcareous materials due to diagenetic effects. The value of Chemical Index Alteration indicate intensive chemical weathering under humid condition during the deposition of the sediments in the source areas. Geochemical classification of sandstones resulted in two classes, namely, arkose and litharenite. The ratio of V/Cr value in the sandstones indicate low ventilation condition in the depositional basin which has resulted in poor to moderate sorting of these sediments and the ratio of Ni/Co indicate oxic depositional condition. The tectonic setting discriminant analysis suggested that the Bhuban sandstones were deposited in an active continental margin. The provenance characteristics suggest the influence of plutonic igneous, metmorphic and subordinate sedimentary rocks source transported mostly from Indo-Myanmar ranges during Oligocene to Miocene time.
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Acknowledgement
I thank the ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and University Grants Commission, India for awarding me the UGC-Post Doctoral Fellow for ST candidates and providing fund accordingly. I am also thankful to Dr. V.P. Dimri and Dr. Mrinal Kanti Sen, Director at National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad for extending permission to carry out analytical works at their Esteemed Institute.
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Lalmuankimi, C. Petrological, Environmental Deposition and Tectonic-Provenance Study of Bhuban Sandstones in Neogene Succession of Aizawl district, Mizoram. J Geol Soc India 97, 907–914 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1790-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1790-3