Geology of the area around Katta, sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. Based on aerospace data

Abstract

Geological studies of the area around Katta, in the southern part of the Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra, were carried out with the help of visual remote sensing techniques using LANDSAT imageries on 1:250,000 scale and aerial photographs on 1:60,000 scale.

The major stratigraphic units represented in the area under study are the Archean Complex, Kaladgi Supergroup, Deccan Trap, Laterite and Alluvium. The Kaladgis unconformably overlie the Archean metasediments and also at places exhibit faulted contacts with the latter. The major part of the area is covered by a thick evergreen vegetation.

The interpretation followed by field work and laboratory work revealed the following:

• (1) The different lithologic units could be delineated on the aerial photographs.

• (2) Different lineaments marked on the imagery were found to be due either to faults or fracture zones. Some of the older faults appear to have been rejuvenated after the formation of the laterites.

• (3) Some of the lithologic horizons can be identified on the Landsat imagery by virtue of their spatial signatures.

These studies indicate that even in the area covered with thick vegetation, aerospace imagery in appropriate band and data scale can provide significant geological information.