JURASSIC OF KUTCH

Presented by :- shivam parashar

• The Mesozoic rocks ranging in age from Middle
Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous are particularly well
developed in Kutch.
• These rocks are regarded as the oldest and the
most important stratigraphical formation in
Kutch.
• These sedimentary rocks represent a phase of
marine transgression along the western part of
India during the Jurassic Period.
• Jurassic rocks are exposed in three chains of
ridges oriented in east west direction.
 Formation of Kutch Basin
• The evolution of the western continental – margin
basins of India is related to the breakup of Gondwana
in the Late Triassic/ Early Jurassic and the subsequent
spreading history of the Eastern Indian Ocean.
• During Late Triassic, NW part of Indian continental
margin experienced lithospheric stretching and rifting.
• A series of regional and local horsts and grabens
resulted in response to rifting along the dominant
basement tectonic trends ( NNW- SSE, NE-SW AND
ENE-WSW)
• Rifting led to depression and formation of rift valleys
oriented EW.
Geological Cross Section of Kutch Basin
• Depositional sites were between uplifted region:
• North :Tharad – Nagar Parkar Ridge
• South : Saurashtra High
• East : Radhanpur – Barmer High
• A NE – SW trending high divides the basin into
two parts :
• Western – Progressively thick and facies variation
of sediments.
• Eastern - Shallow Water sediments.
• These sediments are laid down on the Archaean
and Proterozoic basement.
• Sedimentation started in mid- Jurassic
• The kutch basin evolved in the two stages:
1. Rift stage: basin subsidence along normal
faults and
2. Inversion stage: uplifts along the same faults
by reverse movements.
Lithostratigraphy
• Pachcham Formation ( Jhurio )
• Chari Formation (Jumara)
• Katrol Formation ( Jhuran)
• Umia Formation (Bhuj)
 PACHCHAM FORMATION
• Sub-division – callovian to Bathonian.
• The thickness of the pachcham formation is
300m.
• Upper Part consists Bioclastic Limestone and
Lower Part consists Shale – limestone
interbeds with golden oolites.
• Fossils : Corals, molluscs, brachiopods,
• ammonites and bryozoans and foraminifers.
 CHARI FORMATION
• Sub division – Upper oxfordian to M.Callovian.
• The thickness of chari formation is 360m.
• Chari formation mainly contain sandy
limestones, marls, calcareous and sandyshales
and oolitic limestones.
• Environment : Deltaic
• Fossils -
tramelliceras,mayaites,peltoceras,orionoides,
belemnites etc.
 KATROL FORMATION
• Sub-division – M. Tithonian to U. Oxfordian
• The thickness of katrol formation is 300m.
• Katrol formation contain shales, limestones,
sandstones and sand grits.
• Fossil -
Haploceras,sreblites,phyloceras,waagenia,trig
onia etc.
 UMIA FORMATION
• Sub-division - aptian to U. Tithonian.
• The thickness of umia formation is 1000m.
• Umia Formation mainly contain
sandstone,shale and conglomerate.
• fossils –
colombiceras,topaeum,trigonia,australiceras
etc.
• The tertiary rocks of kutch basin known for
their economical significance. They have
yielded good quality limestone, clay, lignite
and bauxite deposits.
• It is also getting importance due to its salt and
brine producing capabilities.
 Reference

• By internet
• Geology of India - M.Ramakrishnan and R.Vaidyanadhan.
Thank you