Clay Mineral Distribution of Dharmsala Sediments in Northwest India

Authors

  • N. Bhattacharya
     Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Directorate of Geology, Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Dehra Dun
  • V. Raiverman
     Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Directorate of Geology, Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Dehra Dun

Abstract

Clay mineral distribution in Dharmsala sediments over a region extending from Palampur to Mandi and Sarkaghat in northwest India was studied using standard X-ray diffractometer techniques. Lower Dharmsala sediments show uniform clay mineral distribution over the region and contain partially degraded illite and chlorite with minor amounts of kaolinite. Upper Dharmsala sediments seem to vary in clay mineralogy from one part of the region to another. They are characterized by the presence of illite, chlorite and vermiculite at Palampur-Baijnath. The clay minerals are mainly degraded illite, vermiculite and expandable mixed layers at Jogindernagar-Mandi and Rewalsar areas. Upper Dharmsala clays at Sarkaghat consist of montmorillonite, expandable mixed layers and minor amounts of highly degraded chlorite. Differences in clay mineral distribution over the region is explained here by variations in the characters of source rocks, weathering intensity, sediment transport, drainage and topography. The present findings are compatible with information obtained from paleocurrent investigalions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Issue

Volume 14, Issue 1, March 1973

Section

Articles

Downloads

Published

1973-03-01

How to Cite

Bhattacharya, N., & Raiverman, V. (1973). Clay Mineral Distribution of Dharmsala Sediments in Northwest India. Journal of Geological Society of India, 14(1), 71–78. Retrieved from https://geosocindia.com/index.php/jgsi/article/view/61819

References

BHATTACHARYA, N., (1970) Clay mineral distribution and trace element geochemistry of Subathu, Dharmsala and Siwalik sediments in Himalayan foothills of northwest India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v, II, pp. 309-332.

CARROLL, D., (1970) Clay minerals in Arctic Ocean sea-floor sediments. Jour. Sed. Petrology. v. 40, pp. 814-821.

GRIFFIN, G. M., (1962) Regional clay-mineral facies-products of weathering intensity and current distribution in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Bull. Geol. Soc. America, v, 73. pp.737-768.

JACKSON, M. L., TYLER, S. A., WILLS, A. L., BOUREAU, G. A. and PENNINGTON, R. P. (1948) Weathering sequence in clay size minerals in soils and sediments-I; Fundamental generalizations. Jour. Phys, Coli. Chemistry, v. 52, pp. 1237-1262.

KELLER, W. D., (1970) Environmental aspects of clay minerals. Jour. Sed. Pet., v, 40, pp. 788-813.

KRISHNAN, M. S., (1960) Geology of India and Burma. Higginbothams (Private) Limited. Madras, 604 p,

RAIVERMAN, V., (1964) Clay sedimentation in Subathu-Dharmsala group of rocks in the foothills of northwestern Himalayas. Bull. Oil & Nat. Gas Commission, v. 1, pp. 27-35.

RAIVERMAN, V., SAXENA, S. K. and BHAN, C. L., (1965) Paleocurrent studies in Dharmsala sediments in parts of Kangra district, punjab and Mandi district, H.P. Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Directorate of Geology, progress Report for the field season 1964-65. (unpublished).

VON ENGELHARDT, W., (1967) Interstitial solutions and diagenesis in sediments. In Larsen, G. and Chilingar, G. V. (Editors) Diagenesis in Sediments. Elsevier Publishing Company. Amsterdam, pp. 501-521.