Stratigraphy in Mohand anticline riverbed
Aditya Gaur
B.Sc. Geology (Hons), Sem-2, Department of Geology, Doon University, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand
Abstract-
Rock formations and stratigraphy along the riverbed were observed and multiple readings of dip amount, dip
direction and strike were taken. Sandstone formations were observed which rested on the hard bedding rock.
Rock formations resembling convex lens structure were observed everywhere. These lenses are formed when
soft rock is weathered/eroded much more compared to hard rocks present in that layer and they protrude
outwards. Conglomerates which larger grain size(pebbles) were observed on the riverbed.
Introduction-
From a geological perspective, the Up-Thrust Tertiary Play - Mohand area encompasses the foothill belt of
Dehradun and Haridwar. A significant portion of the region is concealed beneath the Doon Valley alluvium,
interpreted to overlie Tertiary and pre-Tertiary rock sequences.
The Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), locally known as the Mohand Thrust, dips towards the northeast. The
Bhimgoda Thrust (BGT), situated on the eastern side of the frontal Shivalik range, dips southward, causing the
Lower Siwaliks to override the Upper Siwaliks. Lower, Middle, and Upper Siwaliks Folds are exposed alongside
Doon Gravels. The most prominent structure in the area is the Mohand Anticline, an en-echelon anticline ridge
composed of a series of smaller en-echelon anticline features. It is faulted against the alluvium by the concealed
Mohand Thrust.
Several features of the re-entrant make it attractive for hydrocarbon exploration, including favourable stratigraphic
conditions for the presence of source rocks capable of generating hydrocarbons, readily available reservoir
sequences, cap rocks (good shale and clay bands), and favourable locales for entrapment. Potential source
facies include Pre-Tertiary sequences encountered in the Mohand-1 well and the known marine Sabathu
sequences found on either side of the Doon re-entrant. The Sabathu sequences have demonstrated their
potential for generating hydrocarbons in the Potwar region of Pakistan. Considering these geological factors, the
Mohand area exhibits promise for hydrocarbon exploration and warrants further investigation to fully realize the
potential of the up-thrust, sub-thrust, and Paleogene wedge prospects.
Site 1- A single large conglomerate with lenses was examined. The grain size was similar to pebbles. Hard
rock chunks would have gathered in a single spot and sedimentation occurred. Across the road, interbedding
was observed. Sand had deposited in the pre-existing hard rock and formed sandstone. The rock type of
sandstone lies between arenaceous and argillaceous. These types of conglomerates are a special feature of
the Siwaliks.
a) Interbedding of conglomerate filled with sand
b, c) conglomerates with different grain sizes
Site 2- The observations were done adjacent to a local stream which had cut through the rock and exposing
the bedding hard rock and the sandstone layer sedimented on it. The exposed surface was smooth and the
slope was extremely steep, showing dominant downcutting. However, this was observed only on one side.
The sandstone was fine grained but individual grains were distinguishable. Some samples had layers of
impurities in the sandstone. Lenses created by hard rock were observed. The region had many lenses, which
indicated different degrees and rates of erosion and weathering occurring on the rocks. This also made it
easier to identify hard and soft rock. Many more lenses of hard rocks protruding out were observed while
moving towards site 3.
b c
a) water-eroded lithology b) sandstone c) different rates of erosion (softer rock is eroded more)
b
a
c d
a) lenses formed by hard rocks b) hard rock protruding outwards c) sandstone with a layer of impurities(orangish)
d) a sample of sandstone, black grains are impurities
Site 3- A series of observation and reading were done along the riverbed. Construction was in progress from
this point. An excavator digging the earth exposed soil profile and different layers. Bedding rock was clearly
exposed and dip angles were measured at numerous points. Lots of samples were collected, including
sandstone, mudstone, quartzites, quartzites with impurities and weathering (occurred in layers).
Conglomerates were found with a wide range of grain sizes, from the size of pebbles to fine grains. Individual
depositional formations could easily be observed and joints were seen everywhere. A spring was found, which
had formed from cracks in the rock. Lenses were seen everywhere, especially in an area where a huge
portion of rocks and soil was excavated, leaving a vertical exposed the vertical profile.
b c
a b
c d
a) a spring formed from cracks b) same rock with different erosion rates c,d) layers of rock bedding
b
a
c
d
a) Lithology exposed by excavation b,c) Lenses formed in sandstone
d) Churt found in small chunk
Site 4- A series of observation and reading were done along the riverbed. Layers of sediments were
observed, which showed different grain sizes in rocks and different energy conditions at the time of
deposition. Larger grains showed high energy environment and smaller grains shows low energy
environments. A thin layer of conglomerate bed was found sandwiched between sandstone layers. A massive
portion of rock was protruding outwards and had long vertical cracks, making the formation very unstable and
dangerous. Hence, samples were not taken from this region. A massive conglomerate rock, eroded by water,
was examined. It was weathered and different layers were seen, lenses were quite prominent on the rock.
Moving further, a region of mudstone was found, sedimented on the sandstone layer. A huge inverted
conglomerate boulder was found which possibly broke off from higher areas and rolled down into the river. A
small patch of rocks was found which had a ring of calcium deposits, possible caused by stagnant water
which dried off later. A conglomerate rock was found which had cobble sized rocks embedded.
Multiple layers of sandstone with different grain sizes, observed in a pattern
a
c
a,b) Conglomerate bed sandwiched between sandstone beds c,d) sandstone beeding with different grain sizes
a
b
d
c
a) fine grained sandstone b) still water made calcium deposit rings around rocks c) Mudstone bedding between sandstone
d) huge conglomerate rock with multiple lenses, water eroded the rock with different rates at different areas
Dip angle readings from Site 3 taken on multiple spots-
• 32º ± 0.5
• 9.5º ± 0.5
• 41º ± 0.5
• 16º ± 0.5
• 34º ± 0.5
• 14º ± 0.5
• 30º ±0 .5
• 7º ± 0.5
• 19º ± 0.5
• 27º ± 0.5
Dip direction – 38.2ºN ± 0.5º
