а,
ў
ЧЧ ДУ
УД)
$
re NEE d
RL.
A
"MEMOIRS ^
OF THE —
MEMOIRS
OF THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
OF
INDIA.
VOL. XV, Pr.1.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA
IN COUNCIL.
CALCUTTA:
PRINTED FOR THE GOYERNMENT OF INDIA.
SOLD AT THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE,
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING,
AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.
LONDON: TRÚBNER & CO.
MDCCCLXXYVIII.
js
i CALCUTTA:
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTI
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
PAGE |
CHAPTER I. CHAPTER IV—contd.
Previous NOTICES. ACA GENERAL GEOLOGY—contd.
Section 7.—Deccan trap and Late-
` CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
. Section 1.—General structure of the
area : А а
ээ 2.—Hills . : Ў 15
53 3.— Rivers . 5 А vo
p 4.—H ot springs Е . 19
CHAPTER III.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 1.—Inhabitants . ot SE 24
Pa 2.—Roads and carriage . 25
> 3.—Forests. Wild animals 26
Д 4.—Cultivation . : Е
3 5.—Climate 1 : . 98
CHAPTER IV.
GENERAL GEOLOGY.
Formations represented . : . 30
Section 1. Metamorphic series . 31
A 2. Talchir group . 21:98
Barakar ,, . . 40
Ranigan] „ . . 48
Panchet „ . . 45
[29]
>—
GONDWANA.
AS
Mahadeva series ASS
rite .
N 8.—Superficial deposits
= 9.—Faults
CHAPTER V.
AURUNGA Coat FIELD.
Section 1.—Talchir group
A 2.—Barakar ,,
si 3.—Ranigan] ,,
5 4.—Panchet ,,
E 5.—Mahadeva series .
CHAPTER VI.
Hurar Coat FIELD.
Section 1.—Talchir group
E 2.—Barakar ,,
5 3.—Mahadeva series .
CHAPTER VII.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES.
Section 1.—Coal
a 2.—Iron .
T 3.— Limestone
» 4.— Lead and eopper .
APPENDIX.
TATAPANI Coat FIELD
PAGE
. 105
ILLUSTRATIONS.
MAPS.
Map of the Aurungah Coal-field. Scale 1 inch = 1 mile.
Map of the Hutár Coal-field, Scale 1 inch = 1 mile.
Map of the Coal-fields of Palamow and adjoining Districts. Scale 1 inch = 8 miles.
PLATE.
Agariah Iron Smelters, Palamow : : A . to face page 120
MEMOIRS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA,
VOL. XV, Pr. 1.
AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL-FIELDS.
ADDENDA AND CORRIGZNDA.
Page 8, line 11 from top, for * Mirial” read “ Miral.”
| Pages 13 & 14—The notes @ at foot ате transposed.
| Page 29,line 6 from top, insert “in” after “ participated."
30, line 4 from bottom, for “ Lower" (group) read * Raniganj.”
37, line 16 from bottom, insert “ the” after * West of.”
45, line 2 from top, insert “ the” after “in.”
50, line 15 from top, dele “as has already been mentioned.”
50, note a, for “ dherbur” read “ dherhur?
` 81, line 16 from bottom, for “borings” read “holings.”
82, line 9 from top, for “ Mariatu" read “ Masiatu.”
111, line 2 from top, for “ Valatile” read “ Volatile,” and line 11 from top, for
“ Dansi” read “ Dauri.”
112, line 11 from top, for “ brownish” read “ brown.”
117, line 14 from top, for “ Chipars” read “ Chiparo.”
125, line 4 from top, for “west” read “east,” and line 11 from top, for
* Sattarwah" read < Sat-Barwah.”
INL SAH:
ЭТОЛ r
" Ere ize о у x
"ow. MEMOIR
E T OF THE US E N
- 4
ICAL SURVEY 0
‘ е RE, та cid
E OGNI Oe de © |
E | |
М st Par: E А |
IN COUNCIL.
CALCUTTA: =
PRINTED FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. |
SOLD AT THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE, pm :
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING,
AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS,
. LONDON: TRÜBNER & CO.
E í B
p E MDOCCLXXXA et à
RN Bo m {KE Chi gpm
х A WM LL,
ў CALCUTTA : |
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRI.
1880. |
EOI
Use
al
CONTENTS.
Amr. 1.—On the durunga and Hutár Coal-fields and the Iron Ores of
Palamow and Toree, by V. Batt, M.A., F.G.S., Geological Survey of
India.
PAGE.
INTRODUCTION à К Е : A Р У : я S Л 1l
CHAPTER I.—PREVIOUS NOTICES. . - : 4
CHAPTER II.—PHYSICAL FEATURES.
SECTION l.— General structure of the area — > : : : : . s:
» 2.—Hils . 4 : : : : : : : 5 : 5
» 3.—Rivers. " р : à : : 2 : 5 1
» 4.—Hot springs ; ; 5 Е : : : : o SRM E
CHAPTER III.—MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION 1.—Inhabitants . А . 5 : : ; : 3 : . 24
, 2.—Roads and carriage . д : E : : А 3 ‚ = 25
, 9.—Forests. Wild animals a а А : С ; i 2009920
„ 4—Cultivation . 2 : : : к 2 3 А : 2527
» 9.—Climate : à : : : : 3 : : : 728
CHAPTER IV.—GENERAL GEOLOSY.
Formations represented . А a з ; ; 5 Я 1 " . 80
- Section l.— Metamorphie series . н } Я 5 2 А Я oral
„ 2.) 4 (Talchir group . з 1 ; ; : 3 à 2938
D 3— | Я | Barakar 5 ba E : N : : ; . 40
b bud E 1 Raniganj .. P NV ; 5 1 А : д . 45
mu BE | Panchet 3 . E : E ; : > : ТЛЕ
», 6.—)J9 (Mahadeva series . ; 3 : : : : е : 45
`, 7.—Deccan trap and laterite : ; : : : : : . 49
, §.—Superficial deposits ; А ‘ А : А : : sel
, 9.—Faults . А ү; : ¿ : 5 i : ч k 5 Be
CHAPTER V.—AURUNGA COAL-FIELD.
Section 1.—Talchir group t : 5 : 5 : Я : : 85
oo, 2. —Barakar , EN le 5 : К : . : d Oo
» 3.—Raniganj ,, Е : o : vat 5 3 ; 2082
4,—Panchet ,, > 5 s : : x - Я ; 208861
5.—Mahadeva series . А ; ; : : : д д EST
vi CONTENTS.
Paar.
CHAPTER VI—HUTAR COAL-FIELD.
Suction 1.—Talchir group — . А ; 5 : : : : А 391
8 2.—Barakar ,, А : А : T у 1 : : ¿OO
» 3.—Mahadeva series . : y sia ; Е : . 105
CHAPTER VII—ECONOMIC RESOURCES.
SECTION 1.—Coal . А : E 4 : 5 д 2 : А 108
» 2.—lon . : : 7 ; i qus n Я ; ; ‚ 112
» 29S.--Limestone . DOE i : : 5 ^ З З ‚ “125
» 4.—Lead and copper . 5 : : ; : . : o . 125
APPENDIX.—Tátapáni Coal-field . ; : А : : Е : . 126
` Авт. 9.— Geology of the Ramkola and Tátapáni Coal-fields, by
C. L. GrizsgachH, F.G.S., Geological Survey of India.
PART I—GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA.
PAGE.
Physical features . à 5 : : : д : > : А . 129
Crystalline area : ; : : à poires : : : ; tal
Old gneiss : à 3 > : 5 : : 5 Е - an!
Crystalline schists . : : : : : 2 o : ; . 132
Granitie rocks 3 : А 5 : : E s : > . 185
The sub-metamorphie rocks . : : : ; o 5 : ; . 138
The Gondwána series 5 А A 1 Е 4 : 5 б 00)
Talchirs (Lower oe : а : 8 ; A : . 142
"Barakars e | : y ч 5 : 3 à . 144
Ramgan;j da z 5 : 8: : ; А 2 . 145
Panchets ; À : s : : : . 146
Mahadevas ( PC aia . : : i : А 2 147
Trap : 3 : з Е З ; З : оТ
Recent depa : з . : : ; > o : соч. 164
PART IL—DESCRIPTION OF SECTIONS IN THE COAL-FIELDS.
I. THE EASTERN BASIN (TATAPANI, GIDHI, &c,) BELONGING TO THE
KUNHUR RIVER SYSTEM. |
A.—TÁTAPÁNI AND SENDIR RIVER SECTIONS . ; ; : Я . 155
1.— Section along the nullah north of Bithiau : : : : . 156
2.— 55 » south of Agar-t 5 158
3.— وو in Ws nullahs between Chechra and No. 396 Н Т. nor rel of
ош, ; : j Я : : : o «2160
CONTENTS, vil
PAGE,
B.— BANKI RIVER SECTIONS 162
4.— Section along the nullah east of Gidhi vu in We Banki river fa
Panri : 162
5.— „ along the TOS left and of Eos dgio eae of
Chumra . ү : : : . 164
6.— , along the nullah nor m of Megali. ; ; : . 166
IZ] 4 » »„» nullahs between Bagra and Lawa . : y 5r AS
8.— , inthe Sita Chua nullah 5 ; 5 / OS
9,— , inthe nullahs between Gargori and Nonin h 5 169
IL—THE WESTERN BASINS, BELONGING TO THE RER RIVER SYSTEM,
A.—IRIA RIVER SECTIONS.
10.— Regai nullah . : А 5 : ЖЕЛ
11.—Sections in the Ledho 20077 nor th of Kaw S . : Bs Wi?
12.— ,, between Karamdiha and No. 506 H. T., including the lower
Ledho, Charki and Kundkepi nullahs . : ; 105
13.— Section along the Balsotha nullah and adjoining area westwards . 176
B.—MoRNE RIVER SECTIONS.
14.— Section in the Morne nullah between Kandia and Hadrai : 8
15.— Sections of the Lundra hills . À і A Е $ een. 108
16.— Section in the Suknai nullah . А 5 5 79
17. وو along the nullah north-west of Ranta Khar : AR enis
18— , inthe Budatand nullah . 1 > A : : . 183
19.— , south of Manpur . 5 А ; ; : . 184
20.— و in the Morne near Par dia ; А . 186
21.— Sections in the Suidad, Kubia, and 2000800 lan: nd Dn ad-
joining country . . . 2 : : 2 : 182
C.—MAHÁN RIVER SECTIONS, BETWEEN THE TAMOR SCARP AND THE
METAMORPHIC RIDGE SOUTH OF IT . Я 5 5 . 191
ILLUSTRATIONS.
MAPS.
Map of the Aurunga Coal-field. Scale 1 inch — 1 mile.
Map of the Hutár Coal-field. Scale 1 inch — 1 mile.
Map of the Coal-fields of Palamow and adjoining Distriets.
Agariah Iron Smelters, Palamow
L2 R9 Бе D
eo BO L2 B9 H9
PLATE.
Scale 1 inch = 8 miles.
. to face page 120
: : . to face page 129
Mader escar Т of the "Times hill, valley of the Mahán
river.
Trap-dyke, filling up Sois d in Mahadeva sandstones, i in е
Dhursot nullah . : 3 5 .
Erosion in Barakar sandstone of Suidad en
Profile of the metamorphic series between the Chunderpur
Päts and Tátapáni.
Profile of the metamorphie series s of Assandiah.
Pot-holes in Talchir sandstone, north of Mitgain.
Talchir boulder-bed and shales, south-west of Kandia.
. Section between Mahadeva escarpment, west of Agar-t and the
metamorphic rocks, east of Pathalpdei.
Section in nullahs between Chechra and No. 326 H. T.
Section in the nullah east of Gidhi and along the Banki
nullah to Panri.
Section along the nullahs left and right of the Banki river,
west of Chumra.
Section between Gargori and Nowadih.
Section between Kandia and the Morne nullah.
Section between Pipra hill and Kothi village.
Section through the Mahadevas between Turpa and Khond.
Section between the Tamor plateau and the Mahán valley.
Mahadeva escarpment of the Tamor plateau (south of Ram-
kola), with intrusive sheet of trap.
Profile of Mahadeva hills as seen from Bara Barthi.
Mahadeva hills, with trap-dyke, looking northwards from
Pasaion.
148
153
188
MEMOIRS
OF THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.
ON THE AURUNGA AND Hurar Coat FIELDS AND THE IRON ORES
or Patamow AND Toren, бу V. Barn, M.A., F.G.S., Geological
Survey of India.
INTRODUCTION.
Axout fifty years have elapsed since attention was first directed by Mr.
А. Prinsep to Palamow, the object being to open out the coal fields
then known to exist, and so obtain a supply of cheap fuel for the
steam navigation of the Ganges. It was urged that an immense saving
would accrue to Government by the establishment of a coal depöt at
Futwah, only a few miles from Patna, which would feed all the more
western stations on the river. |
To meet this demand the Daltongan] field was worked by the Bengal
DI eld work- Coal Company up to the time of the mutiny, when
ed by Bengal Coal Com-: the works were attacked by the rebels and de-
Dr. stroyed. Since then coal has been mined, or rather
quarried, to a small extent for the supply of the irrigation head-
works at Dehree on the Sone, and for the supply for local purposes of some
of the nearer towns in the vicinity of the East Indian Railway. During
Field not worked at the past few years operations have, however, been in _
presento abeyance, owing to the cessation of these local
demands.
Memoirs, Geological Survey of India, Vol, XV, Art I.
A
2 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
The main eanal having been completed, the questions have recently
Proposed branch line Arisen, first, whether, by connecting the Palamow
of railway.
fields with the East Indian Railway by means of a
branch line, or by a branch line and canal combined, a considerable saving
in the price of coal, as compared with the eost of that carried from _
Karharbari, could not be secured for north-western stations; second,
whether the Palamow subdivision does not offer facilities for the manu-
facture of iron on the European system. |
A definite estimate of the probable amount and the quality of the
Preliminary informa. COAl available, and an examination of the eircum-
gis oeque stances under which the iron ores known to exist
occur, being preliminary data of great importance in this enquiry, it
- was determined last year that the geological examination of the area
should be resumed, in continuation of Mr. Hughes’ work on the Dalton-
ganj field.
` The Palamow subdivision with the adjoining parganah of Toree,
dee which geographically and geologically belongs to
it, though it does not do so fiscally, occupies an
area of about 4,272 square miles. To geologieally examine the whole of
this tract, with a degree of detail which would be exhaustive and of
permanent value, would occupy several working seasons. It was there-
fore considered advisable to make the examination of the coal fields the
principal object of the season's work; while by making long traverses
across the main area of metamorphie rocks, the principal iron localities
could be visited, and a certain amount of negative, if not of positive,
evidence could be obtained regarding the possible existenee of hitherto
undiscovered basins occupied by sedimentary rocks.
The result has fully justified this disposition of the available time.
Existence of two dis. Ihe so-called Upper Coal Field? has been found to
tinct fields ascertained. resolve itself into two distinct and separate fields
which contain very different qualities of coal; which information,
a It is to be hoped that this ambiguous and misleading title will not be again employed
by any one who may have to write of these fields.
( О)
INTRODUCTION. 3
and that which has been obtained regarding the various iron deposits, will
probably be considered sufficient to determine
the questions as to the projected establishment of
an iron factory and the selection of the best route for connecting the
distriet with the East Indian Railway.
Iron ores.
For reasons that will be given on subsequent pages, the titles Aurunga
and Hutár have been adopted to indicate in future
Titles of fields. . .
these two areas of coal measures and their associ-
ated sedimentary rocks.
Although it will be necessary to describe each field separately, the
Arrangement of sup. Preliminary chapters in this account, which refer
IHE | to previous observers and to the general physical
features and geological structure of the surrounding country, will be
common to both. This is not merely a matter of convenience, but is
rendered necessary from the fact that the existence of two distinct
fields was not apparently realised by any one who has hitherto written
on the subject. Further, the advantage of describing the physical
features in one continuous account is sufficiently obvious. For very
much the same reasons, the concluding chapter on the economie resources
will refer to both fields and also to the surrounding area of crystalline
rocks, since it will thus be easier to treat as a whole the comparative
and general aspects of the conditions under which the coal, iron and
other minerals occur, their value and availability. It is therefore the
purely deseriptive geology of the fields alone which it wil be necessary
to submit to separate treatment and description.
1.)
CHAPTER I.
PREVIOUS NOTICES.
In Rennell’s map of the “ Conquered Provinces on the South of Behar”
Rennel, J, Е.В.8, (No. VIII), we find “Cole mine” marked on a
SER Eh spot, which, from its relative position to the Coyle
(Koel) river and the villages of Chopere (Chapri) and Coruna (Karun-
khora), may confidently be identified with Hutar. This particular map
is dated 1779, so that the discovery of the field took place at least a century
ago, and long before the fields in many more accessible localities were
brought to notice. It is not improbable that the fact of its being in the
neighbourhood of the Palamow Fort may have attracted attention to it.
Under these circumstances, the propriety of adopting the name of the
village Hutar to indieate the coal field will not be disputed.
In the year 1830 the Hutar field was visited by Captain Sage, who
gives a section of the coal seams and associated
rocks which oceur at the junction of the Dauri
and Ghorasan rivers as follows :—
Sage, Captain, 1880.5
Ft. In.
Earth, sand and gravel : : : > 1 . SO
Sandstone . 6 4
Shale (bituminous) 10
Ditto 5 ó : : : : Р д ПОИ
Coal . . з ‘ А : : : : 5 sop
Shale . 5 3 3 5 10
Sandstone 14
Coal . 8 9
24 7
a Thisis also marked on Arrowsmith’s map for 1804. The locality was visited by Captain
Franklin in 1829. See “Gleanings in Science,” Vol, І, p. 178, and Vol. II, p. 217.
® “Gleanings in Science,” Vol. II, pp. 219, 220.
(edu)
PREVIOUS NOTICES. 5
He speaks highly of this coal as being very bituminous and burning
with a clear bright flame. It has been supposed that the coal spoken
of as being of inferior quality by Mr. Smith (vide postea) was the same, but
this I do not think to be the case, Ishallshow on a subsequent page that
there are several distinct outcrops of coal in the Dauri section.
` Captain Sage also visited the ‘ coal mine? at Hutar, and in the Burra
river close by discovered extensive beds of coal on the left bank. I do
not know to which of the streams the name Burra was applied. If it be
the one at Hutar, the term extensive is certainly applicable to the seams
in a sense, as the lateral extension is considerable ; but the thickness if
will be seen is trifling.
Tronstone is said to be plentiful in the neighbourhood of Alyapur,
three miles south, where it is worked, The name Alyapur is unknown to
me, but ironstone does occur about three miles south of Hutar. Captain
Sage’s remarks on the navigability of the Koel I shall again allude to.
in the year 1837 Mr. J. Homfray was deputed by the Coal Com-
Homfray, J. 10th. mittee to report on the coal fields of Palamow.
July 1837. He says? :—
* At a ford near Mungardar Nuddee on the river edge, four or five thin bands of coal,
from four to twelve inches in thickness, but no thick vein ; near to this place is Hutar,
and this is conjectured to be the site of Rennel’s * Cole mine,’ since there is no other place
in the river for some miles where coal is to be found, until we reach the small nuddee
of Barwellia running to the eastward ; and at half a mile up that stream there is a fine
vein of coal three feet four inches thick. This eoal is found also to the westward at
Myapore, and indeed for an immense distance southward and westward ; it is traceable
even down to Singhbhüm and towards Ruttenpur—this I learnt from an intelligent
zamindar with whom I was in company for three days—so also to the eastward ; and
this is what constitutes the Palamow coal field. Within the Barwellia Nuddee this vein
of coal is three feet four inches, exclusive of some little adhesive black shale which
makes the apparent thickness of the vein to be four feet six inches. Both sides of this
Nuddee are very high sandstone hills, and underneath which the coal is traceable to
the eastward and northward, continuing to crop out in a vast number of places until
* Coal Committee's Report, 1846, p. 159.
6 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
we bring it fairly over to the Dauri Nuddee, the upper end of which winds into
an extraordinary deep and narrow valley, within which this vein, as well as another
smaller one of one foot six inches lying at five fathoms beneath it, is found.”
Mr. Homfray after a deseription of the valley goes on to say that
he raised 700 maunds of this coal, and states that—
“Tt burns with little flame, gives out an intense heat, with very little or scarce
any smoke ; it retains fire for days together ; and to me appears to be a stone coal."
T should have preferred to have given a resume of Mr, Homfray's
remarks as a whole, rather than quote the above
mu get in the rambling statement; but I find it quite impos-
sible to follow a large portion of his description,
Some of the localities he mentions are quite unknown to me, and on the
others the remarks are either vague or inaccurate; particularly, however,
is it necessary to call attention to the statement made about the coal
extending to Ratanpur and Singhbhtim on the authority of an
intelligent native. If for Singhbhüm we read Sirguja, the statement
would be consistent with general accuracy. But as Singhbhúm is
again referred to by Mr. Homfray, and his statement has been quoted
in subsequent publieations, it 1s necessary to point out that a Singh-
bhüm coal field had its existence only in the imagination of his intel-
ligent friend. Detached areas of coal measures do, however, extend
towards Korba and Ratanpur through Sirguja and adjoining territories.
In the Committee’s Report, Mr. Homfray’s estimate of the extent of the
field is stated to be fourteen miles by six miles, which would be a fair
approximation to the truth ; but in his own letter he seems to claim a
wider extension “ over an immense extent of country?”
He points out very clearly the impossibility of employing the Koel
above Chandu as a means of carriage, but some-
Koel unsuited for
clio: what exaggerates the difficulties of the route by
road, as the Gháts he speaks of can be avoided.
Iron. Regarding iron he writes—
** Ironstone is here found in abundance close to the village of Baumundya in the
Daun Nuddee in veins of three and four inches cach; these veins are also found in
Co)
PREVIOUS NOTICES. 7
the ravines all the way to Pohea Agar (Pootooagur of present map), and at which place
there are a number of iron melting furnaces upon the native plan. Iron is here sold
generally at Rs. 2-12 to Rs. 3 per maund of 48 sicca-weight seers; it is in lumps of
four to five pounds each, and has undergone the process of hammering and re-melting
four times at the time of sale."
Mr. Homfray concludes with a mention of the “ extraordinary fact”
that— |
“the gigantie reed whose impressions we constantly discover in the carbonaceous
strata is here found growing in luxuriance. I have brought some whose roots were
actually extended four feet into the coal bed. This is the only example I know of
the living reed being found near to coal."
In Dr. MeClelland’s Report we are told that the specimens were
exhibited at a scientific soirée at Government House, as belonging to the
plant from which coal is derived. Subsequently, they were found to be
only a well-known-grass, Saccharum spontaneum, which grows very
generally throughout Bengal. Possibly to this eaposé of his discovery
may be attributed some of the bitterness of Mr. Homfray’s remarks upon
the “literary phantasmagoria” of “snail hunters” and “ saxoflorists”
which appears in his paper on the coal-field of the Damuda Valley, where
he very properly points out the absurdity of the theories which were
current as to the former connection of the Damuda and Sylhet coal fields.
In looking over the past history of discoveries
REOR M а of coal in Palamow, І find several allusions to а re-
en 6th puted discovery of coal at a place called “ Chupri,
two koss south of the Sone river, before its junc-
tion with the Koila Nuddee.”
Properly speaking, this locality is quite outside the area under de-
| scription ; but owing to the fact of its proximity to
Reputed discovery of
КОЙ EON TER the head works of the canal and to the occurrence
of quite another place with the same name close
to the Hutar field, I think it not altogether inopportune to give here
3 Journal, As. Soc., Bengal. Vol. ХІ, p. 724.
> Reprinted in Mr. Forbes’ Settlement Report of Palamow,—Calcutta, 1872.
CTD
8 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
the result of my inquiries. As the locality is not given in the coal
Committee’s Report printed in 1846, it may be that the true history was
at that time known to the Committee; but nowhere can I find any pub-
lished statement of the real facts as given below.
According to Mr. Ravenshaw's letter, the discovery at the above-
named locality was communicated to him by Cazi Mahamdee of
parganah Jupla—
* The specimen of coal forwarded from this mine appeared precisely similar im
“quality to that from the Singra mines; but after digging a hundred maunds, the coal is
stated to have assumed a more stony character, and the Cazi therefore abandoned the
mine and proceeded to the old mines of Singra and Mirial near the banks of the
Koila Nuddee."
The remark on this made in Dr. MeClelland's Report on the coal
fields of India, dated 11th July 1845% is as follows—
“Tf the Cazi’s statements regarding the existence of coal so near the Sone be
correct, the circumstances under which it occurs ought to be fully investigated.”
Although the neighbourhood is included in the Geological Survey Map
published in 1869, the position of one village named Chupri being repre-
sented as surrounded by alluvium, and although the account of the Cazi’s
operations was strongly suggestive of deception, it seemed to me all impor-
tant to thoroughly enquire into the story and, if possible, expose and stamp
out the fiction, or establish the fact, as the case might be. Being somewhat
pressed for time towards the end of the season, and unable personally to
visit the locality, I was fortunate in being able to refer to Mr.
Davies of Rotasgurh, from whom I received the following letter, which
will probably recall to some readers of this similar stories of reputed
coal discoveries in other parts of India. Mr. Davies writes—
“That olden report concerning the discovery of coal at Chupri, not far from Deori
was a pure fabrication and got up by the then Cazi of Jupla
à ies’ letter. - > А a
Min. Daien Леар to try and ingratiate himself with the Bengal Coal Company
and benefit by working on their apprehensions. The matter was closely enquired into
чы т т —
* Printed by order of the House of Commons, 19th June 1863, and reprinted, in so far as
it refers to Palamow, in Mr. Forbes' Settlement Report.
Cero
PREVIOUS NOTICES. 9
by a gentleman named Sweetland, with whom I was well aequainted. He was on the
staff of the very first explorers in India on account of railways, and was practically
acquainted with geology. The other Chapri to which you allude is, as you observe,
located on alluvium. A report similar to that got up by the Cazi was spread abroad by
a lohar, or blacksmith, in the vicinage, shortly before Dr. Hooker came to Rotas, and
Mr. Williams (Government Geologist), in company with Dr. Hooker, explored the Bhukhi
Kho,or valley, in consequence fruitlessly. I subsequently discovered that the Johar
` had purposely scattered fragments of Rajharra coal in the dry bed of the Bhukhi Kho
to give a color to his assertions."
Dr. Hooker in his journal does not make any reference to this in his
account of his visit to Rhotas, but alludes to the information and assist-
ance he received from Mr. Davies.
In his Report on the coal and iron of Bengal, Mr. Smith, having
SER л? deseribed we coal field in is u u of
Rajharra, gives an account of his observations made
during a rapid trip southwards into the Hutar field. He appears to have
met with but one seam, which occurs in the Dearee (Dauri) Nuddee at
the foot of a hill named Chenra. It is deseribed as being two feet two
inches thick and of very inferior quality. His further remark that—
“the strata here have a *dip' to the west, which is unusual and may be taken to
indicate a serious disturbance in this coal field "—
shews a certain want of appreciation of the laws of legitimate geologi-
` eal induction; but otherwise I see nothing to justify a recently-printed
eritieism of Mr. Smith's Report. On the other hand, in dealing with
the question of iron manufacture, his full mastery of his subject is
abundantly apparent. What he wrote in 1856 might be read with
advantage by promoters of iron works to-day»
Ill health prevented further exploration of the area, and the principal
coal deposits were not seen by him. But he was fully satisfied that the
* Report to Government of India on the Coal and Iron Districts of Bengal, dated
Nynee Tal, 1856.
> A reprint of Mr. Smith's Report will be found in Dr. Oldham’s “Return on the Coal
Resources and Production of India.”—Calcutta, 1867.
(9)
. 10 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS,
heavy cost of transport and the bad quality of the coal—
“deprived this locality of all chance of successful competition with others more
favourably eircumstanced.” |
It will be found that the conclusions I have arrived at, even under
the somewhat altered conditions of the present day, are in many respects
similar.
On his return journey northward, he reports the occurrence near the
village of Adur of a— |
* deposit of magnetic iron ore of the very richest quality, but so limited in quantity
as to be of no importance."
Appended to his Report on the Daltonganj field, Mr. Hughes gives a
note on the sedimentary rocks observed by him at
ne Satbarwah, where he only saw Talchirs, and in the
neighbourhood of Latiahar, where he remarked upon the presence of
Barakars and Upper Panchets (Mahadevas). He states that there is
but little coal, and notes the ferruginous character of the Barakars in
some sections.
Mr. Forbes’ Settlement Report embraces a wider range of topies and
ÓN contalns more interesting information than is to be
found in many similar publications. The first
chapter on the physical features contains most of the information im-
mediately connected with the present subject, but from several of the
other chapters numerous facts bearing upon the future development of
the country may be gleaned. "The whole cannot fail to be instructive to
any one who may be at present, or is likely to become hereafter, connected
with the exploitation of the resources of Palamow.
Mr. Forbes describes the general structure of the area, and points
out that the forms of the hills are directly due to the character of the
rocks of which they are built up. He then enters into some rather
E
а Memoirs, Geological Survey of India, Vol. VIII, p. 22.
> “Report on the Ryotwaree Settlement of the Government Farms in Palamow ” by
L. R. Forbes, Esq., Assistant Commissioner and Settlement Officer, — Caleutta, 1872.
a)
PREVIOUS NOTICES. 11
original speeulations as to the origin of the crystalline rocks, and attri-
butes, as others have done before him, the splitting-up and fracture of
the gneiss, &е., to the sudden transitions in temperature during the
winter months. I believe this ageney to be wholly incapable of produc-
ing the results. Owing to the feeble conducting powers of stone, the
temperature of the atmosphere can only affect but a limited superficial
layer of rock ; moreover, with a sudden fall of temperature, the stone is
not immediately cooled, but gradually radiates forth its heat, which pro-
cess may be continued throughout the greater part of a night, as any
one who has camped near bare rocks during the hot weather is likely to
have a lively recollection of.
Mr. Forbes shews the accuracy of his powers of observation by
pointing out the existence of detached patches of sedimentary rocks at a
distance from the main areas.
He then describes the coal-mining operations in the Daltonganj
area, and discusses the question of a light railway to connect the field
with the East Indian line.
The discovery of copper ore by himself in Daltonganj is recorded, and
there is an interesting sketch of the native system of manufacturing
iron, to which reference will be made on a future page.
Mr. Forbes alludes to the coal of the Aurunga valley, of which he
appears to have been the first discoverer.
In an appendix, the reports on the coal by several of the above
authorities are quoted in full, the whole forming a valuable epitome
of the information available on the subject up to date.
In his descriptive aecounts of the country surveyed in Districts
Samuells, Captain, Hazaribagh and Lohardugga during the season
кы 1871-72, Captain Samuells mentions the seams at
Jugguldugea as containing, apparently, the best coal. Several localities
а “ Report on the Revenue Survey Operations of the Lower Provinces from October 1871
to September 1872.—" Calcutta, 1873.
CN
12 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
where coal occurs in parganah Toree are also marked on his maps.
The coal of the Amanut and Damuda is alluded to. |
The area occupied by the coal fields is roughly estimated at 1,500
square miles. Including the Karanpura fields, this is about double the
aetual area, but was no doubt arrived at by supposing that the most
remote localities formed part of one connected area. An account of
some hot springs in Hazaribagh is also given by Captain Samuells.
Some papers which have been printed by the Publie Works Depart-
Memoirs on Branch Ment, in connection with the proposed branch line
dug ups MEL of railway, contain a résumé of the information on
the coal fields which is given in some of the reports above quoted. As
these documents I believe have not been published, they are not suscep-
tible of criticism here. But what has been said on the previous pages will
shew the value of some of the statements which have been thus
reproduced.
( 12
|]
CHAPTER 1.
‘PHYSICAL FEATURES.
SECTION 1.—GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE AREA.
Tue portion of Palamow herein described and the parganah of
Toree are situated south of the Daltonganj parallel
Limits of area here of latitude.
doc e. To define the traet more exactly, it
may be said to coincide with the rectangular area
which is bounded by the 83° 45' and 84^ 45’ meridians of east longi-
tude, and the 23° 30’ and 24° parallels of north latitude.
In the central part of this area there is a distinct valley which is on
the same line of east and west strike as the
Central valley
d . 2 .
Tierchen, crossed Damuda valley, but is separated from that line of
drainage by a very marked bar of metamorphic
rocks which forms a watershed separating the waters which flow north-
wards, by the Koel and Sone, into the Ganges from those which find
their way eastwards by the Damuda into the Hugli and so into the
Bay of Bengal.
Separated by this barrier at an average distance from each other of
six miles, lie the coal fields of Karanpura and
Disruption of coal
Enos produced. Aurunga. That these two areas formed at one
time parts of a continuous whole, there can be little
denkt; and the relative elevations of the two fields compared with that
of the watershed, considered in connection with some other observations,
indicate pretty clearly the modus operandi by which the disruption was
produced. The marginal rocks of the Karanpura field dip away from
this watershed at elevations only slightly below its average level, while
outlying patches of beds of the same age occur at even higher levels. It
does not seem probable, therefore, that the barrier is formed, at least to
any great extent, ofa locally upheaved ridge*. On the other hand, the
* Mr. Medlicott found rocks which he considered to be of this age capping the Madagir
Hill near Toree.
Colom)
14 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Aurunga field is at Rampur on the eastern margin 900 feet, and at
Latiahar, if the elevation given on the map be correct, more than 600
feet below the watershed at Balumath. But when we find outlymg
patches of the Barakar rocks at elevations of from 150 to 200 feet higher
than the neighbouring parts of the Aurunga field, and other patches
which there is good reason to believe exist at still higher elevations in
the highlands on the south-east and south,* we are compelled to suspect
that the Aurunga field has subsided as a whole. "Phat such has actually
been the ease seems to be incontestibly confirmed by the intense faulting
and tilting of the beds in that field, as is indicated on the map, and will
be fully described on a future page.
Similarly, the Hutar field shews evidence of having been let down to-
wards the west by faults, which have tended to iso-
e let down -late it and alter the pre-existing general directions
of the drainage. There is, however, much less
lithological resemblance as regards the lower groups of rocks between the
Hutar and the Aurunga fields than there is between the latter and the
Karanpura, and there is therefore less ground for assuming an original |
continuity, though such may possibly have existed.
Without trenching on the subjects which belong strictly to sub-
sequent sections, it is impossible to enter here more fully into this part of
the question. But so much, as affording a preliminary view of the origin
of the present structure, was necessary to make what follows intelligible.
This central Palamow valley, then, was probably originally continuous
.. with the Damuda valley separating the Hazari-
Central valley origin-
ally continuous with the bagh plateau on the north from that of Lohardugga
Damuda valley.
or Chutia Nagpur on the south.» "Towards the
а The disturbance and tilting of some of the beds on the margin of the Karanpura
field perhaps indicates some upheaval, but may, on the other hand, be due to lateral pressure
from within.
» The origin of the valley as a whole, which is a distinct question from its separation
into two, will be treated of on a future page 1n the section on the rocks of Mahadeva age.
Ve)
HILLS. 15
valley of the Koel the former disappears, but the latter is continued by
ranges, páts and highlands generally through Sirguja and far away to
the west.
As the hills and rivers are described under separate sections below,
it only remains to refer to the general aspect of
Characters of scenery. E :
the area. The scenery is very varied, often
beautiful, and occasionally grand. Flat plains of wide extent are of rare
occurrence. But the forest-clad hills, the bold scarps in the highlands
` formed of sandstone, the rocky beds and rapids of the principal rivers,
and the lofty ranges which bound the view on the south, all combine to
produce most pleasing effects. Though tolerably familiar with most
parts of the wide area of Chutia Nagpur, I have seldom come
across a scene more attractive than that presented to my view as I
entered the Aurunga valley in December. Par-
Aurunga valley. E Ea
ticularly striking were the effects produced by the
patches of many-tinted cultivation scattered about through the more
uniformly coloured jungle which surrounds the irregularly outlined
Jugguldugga and Latiahar sandstone ranges. There were scarcely any
bare spots to be seen, and though the previous rainfall had been lament-
ably insufficient for some of the crops, but little evidence of the drought
was to be seen in the greenery and brightness of the jungles at that
season.
a SECTION 2.— HILLS.
The hills of this area are susceptible of a triple classification which
is determined chiefly by the geological strueture—
1st.—The oldest and most numerous are ‘those formed of the crystal-
line or metamorphie rocks.
2nd.— hose formed of sandstones or conglomerates.
drd.—The pats, or plateaux, which are formed of crystalline rocks,
with their summits eapped with sandstone trap or laterite.
The 1st class is represented by a great number of hills and ranges,
with elevations up to, and sometimes beyond, 3,000 feet. Where not
( 15 )
16 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
capped by any of the above-mentioned more recent formations, the
outlines presented by these crystalline hills are
Hills of crystalline
rocks generally sharply angular, but some of the ridges
are flat-topped and continuous at pretty steady
elevations for long distances.
2nd.-—The hills of this class are exelusively formed of one or other
RI NE ee of two of the subdivisions of the Gondwana
sequence, viz., Barakars or Mahadevas. In the
Aurunga field the Barakars never rise to form an eminence worthy of
the title of hill; but in the Hutar field, east of the
Koel river, they form long ranges averaging from
Barakar hills.
250 to 300 feet above the surrounding country, occasionally having peaks
which rise about 200 feet higher. This oceurrence of Barakars as hill-
formers-is unusual and will be again alluded to further on.
Rocks of Mahadeva age occur as hill-formers not only 1n the Aurunga
and Hutar fields, but also in the Karanpura and
"a qi rM Tatapani fields. The structural and lithological
characters in each ease present the closest and most striking points of |
resemblance. In the Aurunga field there are three distinct groups of
these hills, which are situated respectively in the neighbourhoods of the
villages of Subano, Jugguldugga and Latiahar. Besides which there are
two small outlying hills at Sasung and at Chulta west of Latiahar.
These groups consist, for the most part, of flat-topped ridges from 200 to
300 feet above the level of the surrounding country, and have their
faces scarped and often eroded into grotesque shapes. Occasionally,
where the beds have been tilted, conical peaks rising considerably above
the general level of the ridges have been formed, as, for example, the
Chiharo peak near Subano, and the Latiahar peak near the village of the
same name. The latter hill according to the map is 910 feet high, or
2,051 feet above the level of the sea.
In the Hutar field there are similar flat-topped ridges with scarped
and eroded faces. In this area the Bijka hill is the most prominent
peak, being 1,300 feet above the village of the same пате, or 2,479 feet
(IO w)
RIVERS, ШП
above the sea. In its vieinity are several subordinate peaks, all of which
owe their elevation in a measure to the tilting of the beds caused by the
faults which bound the field.
örd.—Regarding the pats which occur on the south of the area, what
Pate: erystelline hills ses is un! of une details of the caps which
capped by trap, laterite, give them their peculiar character will be found
&c. : Me
on a following page. The principal are Neturhat
8,600 feet; Lamti pat 3,777; Gulgul pût, 3,823 feet; Jamira pàt, and
Mailan pät, 4,024 feet. Besides these páts, from the contours of some
of the hills near Balumath, I think it probable that they will be found
to be eapped with sandstone. The Madagir hill,
near Toree, was found by Mr. Medlieott to be
capped with sandstones, which appeared to him to be of Barakar age.
North of the Hutar field, near Bansdih, the Chungah hill is capped by
a curious arkose bed which forms a small plateau.
Other capped hills.
As to the age of this rock, I am quite uncertain, owing to its very
local lithological characters. For the present it must remain uurelegated
to its position in the geological séquence.
SECTION 3.—RIVERS.
The principal rivers of our area are the Koel, the Aurunga, the
Sukrı and the Kunhur. The most remarkable
ad поша feature exhibited in common by the Koel and
Kunhur is that their courses run north and south,
or at right angles to the valleys in which the coal-fields are situated,
thus indicating an enormous amount of denudation, since the direction
must have been determined when the valleys were filled up to the level
of the bounding ridges through which these rivers have cut deep
gorges.
al adopt this mode of spelling the name, as i$ more nearly, I believe, represents the
ordinary native pronunciation than any of the numerous other combinations of letters
which have been used by different writers, e. g., Coyle, Koyle, Coil, Koila and even Cél.
B Cronies)
18 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
The Koel.—This river takes its rise in Burwah, another river of
the same name also rising near the same spot, but
proceeding southwards, to contribute to the forma-
| tion of the Brahmini. This northern Koel is
from its source to its junction with the Sone about 160. miles long, and
Length and size of
basin.
since it drains a catchment area of at least 9,500 square miles, it naturally
contributes a large supply of water to the Sone during therains; but at
other times the quantity is not sufficient to enable cargo boats of the
smallest dimensions to make their way between Daltonganj and the Sone.
At one time it was proposed (by Captain Sage in 1830) to make
use of this river as a means of conveying coal
from the Hutar field to the Sone. But any one
to whom an opportunity had been afforded of actually seeing the rocky
bed and rapids which are found between Chandu and Hutar could not `
Koel not navigable.
have failed to denounce the scheme as an utterly chimerical and imprae-
ticable one. In any discussion as to the means which may be employed
for bringing the Hutar coals to market, the navigation of the Koel as it
now is, or even the canalization of it, may, I think, safely be left out of |
consideration.
It may be that the construction of a canal, fed by the head waters
of the Koel, is possible; but so far as I know the ground, I believe that
it would be attended with most serious difficulties, owing to the fact that
the only outlet northwards is that of the Koel valley, which is in places
so much constricted by impinging ranges of hills, that a low, level canal
could scarcely be made so as to be safe from, floods.
In many places this river affords scenes of very great beauty and
sometimes of grandeur. The rocky bed and the —
rapids a few miles north of Hutar—the neighbour-
hood of Sindhorwah, where the river has searped the hills of Barakar
Scenery on Koel.
rocks which rise frowning over the channel and the rapids near Purro,
beyond the southern boundary of the field—may be quoted as instances
in point.
о
HOT SPRINGS. 19
The Aurunga is the only considerable tributary of the Koel within
our limits. It rises near Soheda in the pass descending from Lohar-
` доора into the valley, and pursues a winding course in a north-westerly
direction for a distance of about 50 miles. Where it traverses the coal
field it affords numerous and instructive sections. Leaving the coal field,
its bed rapidly widens, and by the time 1t reaches Palamow, where the
ruins of two considerable forts overlook 1t, ıt has attained a considerable
size, and, with its channel crowded with huge masses of gneiss, affords
some very beautiful seenes. Owing to its rocky bed in this neighbour-
hood, its navigation would be dangerous during the rains. At other
seasons the supply of water is insufficient for even the smallest craft.
Its principal tributaries are the Sukri and Ghugree, both of which
traverse portions of the field.
The Kunhur.—This river isin many respects similar to the Koel ; it is
about the same length, and pursues a nearly parallel course, to the Sone.
It is likewise, at least in its upper reaches, useless for purposes of navi-
gation. For a considerable portion of its course it constitutes a well-
defined boundary between Palamow and Sirguja.
SECTION 4.—Hor SPRINGS.
In each of the separate areas described in this report, and in direct
connection with lines of fracture which it will be shewn have been in-
strumental in determining the present structure of the coal fields, there
are series of hot springs.
The first of these is in close proximity to the Aurunga field; it is
situated in the bed of the Tataka River at J arum,
about a mile and a half north-west of Pochra, or
in north latitude 23° 49’ and east longitude 84° 32’. Although the water
actually finds its way to the surface through joints in some vertical beds
Hot spring at Jarum.
of granitic gneiss, which are the only rocks exposed in that part of the bed
of the river, the position is in immediate proximity to. the continuation
of the well-marked east-to-west fault which has cut off the Barakars, &e.,
at the north-west corner of the Aurunga field. Were there a complete
(49)
20 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
section exposed, it is almost certain that it would give conclusive evidence
of the existence of fracture and distortion in close proximity to the
spring, Not improbably the hills at Joreesukhwa, a little further west,
' will, when examined, mark the line of fault. Reference to the map will,
perhaps, render the above description more clear; and justify the probable
correctness of the supposition. |
The highest temperature of the water of the several outlets did not
exceed 132° Е. The amount of water poured forth,
Temperature. Д
though поб very copious, formed а steady stream.
Sulphuretted hydrogen was emitted freely in bubbles, and its odour was
apparent for some distance all around,
The springs being situated in the sandy bed of a running stream are
No peculiar develop. 100 accompanied by any unusual development of
ment of vegetable life. vegetable life.
My attention was particularly directed to this point sinee I have, in
the basin of the Mahanadi, met with some very interesting instances of
considerable modification of the Flora in the vicinity of certain hot .
springs. I hope to obtain further data'for the treatment of the subject
hereafter.
It will be sufficient to indicate here how, in ancient geological periods,
when hot springs were probably more abundant, there may have been
local hot-house climates which would serve to explain such difficulties in
connection with fossil floras as the occurrence of tropical or sub-tropical
plants in the supposed glacial beds of Talchir age.
In the Hutar coal field in the vicinity of the village of Thatha
Hot spring at Thaths.
bed of the Thatha river, my attention was attracted
by a strong sulphurous odour to a copious outburst of hot water, of the
existence of which I had no previous intimation. Here the spring is
distinetly connected with a marked disturbance of the Barakar beds, and
the occurrence of a strong ridge of pseudomorphie quartz or fault rock,
which is coincident with a line of fracture described on another page.
( 20 )
(called Kokraha on the map), when examining the .
HOT SPRINGS. 21
The highest temperature of this spring is 151°F. There is here a
strong confervoid growth which forms felt-like
masses inthe pools warmed by the water, but I
did not observe any modification of the herbaceous or arboreal vegetation.
Temperature.
Mr. Forbes in his Settlement Report says that heonly knows of one
hot spring in Palamow, which is at Mundul in tuppeh Bari, and of
. which the temperature is 180°F. As I understood from him that he
had not himself visited the spot, I am inclined to believe that the locality
given to him may have been Mundul, otherwise known as Jodah, which
is however in tuppeh Durjag, and is not far from Thatha, and that there-
fore the present spring was meant. There is also a Mundul in tuppeh
Bari, and hence perhaps the confusion arose. I think I should most
probably have heard, when in that tuppeh, if there had been a distinet hot
spring in Bari.
In the Tatapani field in the Sirguja district west of the Kun-
hur, the hot springs have givena name to the
Ld springs аб Tata- Village, and also to the tuppeh or parganah in
which they occur.
They constitute, from their number and their copious outpourings, a
very remarkable, and, in this part of India at least, a unique display.
They are all arranged with one exception on, or in, the immediate vici-
nity of a strong ridge of pseudomorphie quartz and breccia, which evi-
dently marks a line of fracture, since a little further west it cuts off and
bounds the coal measures, while to the east in the Hutar field the
faulted boundary is on exactly the same line of strike; and although in
the former case the downthrow 1s on the north and in the latter on the
south, the line of fraeture along which the movement of subsidence of
the coal measures took place, in both cases respectively, may be iden-
tical, but the continuity has not yet been fully established, as the inter-
vening sections have not been examined. This agreement in strike, vide
map, is probably something more than a mere coincidence, and aecordingly
attention is here directed to it with a view to future examination.
( 21 )
22 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
It is not easy to say how many distinct active springs there are at
Tatapani, but there were seen by me certainly not
Number of outlets. N | XE
less than a seore, besides whieh there are indi-
cations of many others whose action has been either temporarily or
wholly suspended.
As a rule, these springs rise in small basins with a bottom formed
of large-grained quartz sand. Round the edges of these basins there
is frequently an enerustation of silicious sinter. A strong odour of
sulphuretted hydrogen pervades the atmosphere all round.
Occasionally these springs have given rise to marshy and boggy
ground all round, which is most treacherous, as it is generally covered
with a thin upper erust which simulates firm ground.
Proceeding from east to west, the Fahrenheit? temperatures in the
successive basins were as follows: east 185°, 174°,
162°, 180°, 170°, 144°, 168° (166° close to temple)
(154°, 184°, 180°, in bed of stream) west. These were all taken in the
early forenoon on a day near the end of March, when the sun was hot and
there was no perceptible condensation of the vapour. Early on the fol-
Temperature.
lowing morning the position of each spring was distinctly marked by a
column of condensed steam. On this occasion the temperatures were
somewhat different from what they had been the previous evening. In
the bed of the stream one was 190°, while the spring close to the temple
was 185%, The highest temperature observed was in a basin off the
general line and north of the temple ; in it the thermometer registered
196%. I think it probable that this spring is situated on a small
branching fault, of the existence of which the neighbouring rocks afford
some evidence. |
_ The temple above alluded to was built over what was considered by
the natives to be the hottest spring; but that partieular outlet being
now closed, the temple has been allowed to fall into ruins. I was told
à Taken by a Negretti and Zambra's boiling-point thermometer.
( 89 )
HOT SPRINGS. 23
that the locality is not regarded as being one of particular sanctity.
In any more civilised part of India, it would be assuredly a place of
annual resort and the site of a méla.
On the same line of strike and at a distance of 24 miles west-
south-west of Tatapani, and 8 miles north of Pertabpur, there is
another hot spring known to exist. From its name, Ganduáni, its con-
nection with gandak, or sulphur, is indieated. That a connection is
believed by. the natives to exist I learnt from the late Raja of |
Sirguja, who first told me of the springin 1871. Its position is marked
on the Atlas sheet.
Note.—The names Tataka, Thatha and Tatapani—all indicate the presence of hot
springs. І have used the spelling of the maps, as there seemed tobe a slightly different
pronunciation in the case of Thatha, but the names have, of course, all the same origin and
derivation.
CHAPTER III.
MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION 1.—INHABITANTS.
In connection with the future development of the mineral resources
of Palamow, it may be useful to make a few remarks on the leading
characteristies of the population.
Palamow being, as Mr. Forbes has pointed out, a sort of border
land, is inhabited by both Aryan and non-Aryan peoples. The former,
as is usually the case, occupy the open and cultivated parts, which,
though smaller in extent, support a larger number of individuals than
the wilder regions inhabited by the latter. In the portion of Palamow
under description, which includes a large part of these wilder regions,
ee the non-Aryans largely prevail, and as these
tribes would most likely furnish the most consider-
able proportion of the labour, it will be only necessary to describe them,
the more particularly as the characters and capabilities of the various
castes of Hindus do not, so far as I know, present any local or unusual
peculiarities.
Both the principal families of Kols are represented—the Múndás by
к about a dozen different tribes among which the
Chiros, Kherwars, Korewas, Paharias and Agurias
are the most numerous ; the Oraons by Oraons proper and Kol-lohars.
The Kherwars and Chiros appear to me to be both indolent and
wanting in stamina. The villages of the former
PN AT are generally excessively dirty, and their houses,
notwithstanding the fact that building materials are generally abundant,
arein a most miserable state of dilapidation. They are not likely to make
good labourers ; but possibly they might improve somewhat if the weight
of indebtedness to the money lenders, which now depresses them, were
removed from their shoulders. :
(ed)
ROADS AND CARRIAGE. 25
, The Korewas and Paharias are wild and not very numerous tribes in
| Palamow, but are more abundant in Sirguja. They
Korewas and Paharias. 4
are not likely to be of much account as labourers.
The Agurias are chiefly iron-smelters, but some have taken to
тс ий cultivation. Colonel Dalton refers them to the
: Múndá family, while the Kol-lohars are considered
to be Oraons. The statement made by Mr. Justice Phear in a memoran-
_ dum? on the iron of Karanpura, that the Agurias are а low caste of
Aryans, therefore is probably incorrect. But there is no doubt that the
Loharias proper, or workers in iron, of whom also there are representa-
tives in Palamow, are Hindus. Occasionally, I believe, these latter smelt,
as well as refine and work up iron.
All these artificers would be useful and could be easily trained to
manipulate iron ores in the European fashion. But for general purposes
the Oraons would furnish the best and most abundant labour.
In Palamow the Oraons are found in various parts ; those in the more
open iraets having lost many of their tribal
Oraons. e Ee
characteristies. In Toree they appeared to me to
be tolerably numerous. From other parts of Chutia Nagpur they could
be attracted in large numbers if necessary. At present a steady current
of them flows in the direction of Assam and Cachar; the only means of
arresting which, and preventing depopulation of wide areas in Chutia
Nagpur, will be to give them remunerative occupation nearer their homes.
SECTION 2.—ROADS AND CARRIAGE.
This section might almost be written in the words, mutatis mutandis,
of Aldrovandius” famous chapter concerning the owls of Iceland.
Of pucka-bridged roads there is not a single example in the whole
area. The few roads that do exist are little better
Principal roads. ›
than mere fair-weather tracks. ОЁ these the
2 See Appendix F. to a paper read before the Bengal Social Science Association on the
24th July 1876.
( 85 )
26 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
principal are from Daltonganj to Ranchi, and from the same place to
Dehree on the Sone. But few of the others are practicable for carts,
and the remainder can only be used by pack cattle and elephants.
Except in Burkhol, I did not anywhere see any indigenous wheeled
vehicles; these too were of the rudest description. Carts find their way
along the two above-mentioned roads into Daltonganj; and recently
timber has been drawn in carts from Sirguja over a track where carts
never passed before. J udging from what I saw, I should say the average
rate of progression of these carts was under three miles a day.
The export trade in grain is wholly carried on by means of pack
` Export trade by pack Pullocks, which are mostly of a small and weakly
гае breed. The Oraons alone of all the tribes сап be
induced to carry banghies, the Kherwars and others carrying but half
loads on their heads.
SECTION 3.—ForEsts AND WILD ANIMALS.
The forests of Palamow do not, I believe, contain much valuable
timber at present, but the striet conservaney which has been initiated in
parts of Bari, Durjag, Barasand, Sima, &e., promises a supply m the future.
Sal timber is by no means generally distributed. I often searched
in vain for single examples in mixed jungle. In other places the soil
does not seem to be well suited to its free development. However,
it is possible that it may be larger and more plentiful in parts of the
hills unvisited by me. Most excellent sal timber is now being cut in a
neighbouring tract of Sirguja. |
Teak, as is the case, to the best of my belief, throughout the Chutia
Nagpur Division, does not occur.
The Forest Department, having been for several years in possession
of the Palamow forests, will no doubt be able to state how far a trade
in timber.is likely to aid the traffic on the proposed line of branch
railway. The ordinary jungle products, such as lac, kath or catechu,
fibres, &e., need not be described here.
( 86 )
M
CULTIVATION. 27
Wild animals —Palamow has not a good reputation as a place for
sport, but I have reason for believing that in certain limited areas wild
animals are by no means scarce. Tigers and leopards were chiefly to
be heard of in the vicinity of the Koel, where it crosses the Hutar field
and thence westward to the Kunhur.
Mr. Forbes speaks of the chetah, or hunting leopard, having been at
one time abundant, but the leopards seen by me, whether alive or dead,
were all the so-called panther (Felis pardus). Bears are rare, as also are
wolves. 1 saw but one pair of the latter near Latiahar. The sambhur
and spotted deer are not common in the parts visited by me, but nilgai
are abundant in certain tracts, as also are barking deer and the four-horned
antelope. The gazelle is frequently seen in the west, and occurs close to .
Daltonganj. A pair were seen near Latiahar, longitude 849 35’ E., which
is, I believe, the most eastern locality where this animal has as yet
been observed. Gaur, or bison so-called, are found on the ranges and páts
to the south. Occasionally they appear in the valleys as at Barkhol.
SECTION 4.—CULTIVATION.
The scarcity of tanks and dunds, and the unwillingness or inability of
the people to provide irrigation for themselves—which extends, according
to Mr. Forbes, to a disinelination even to repair temporary ruptures in
bunds which have in some cases been made by the hired labour of a parti-
eular tribe called Nunias—account for the inferiority and uncertain yield
of the crops and the generally impoverished state of the country.
Of the grain erops which are raised, no doubt a large proportion is
exported, the people being too poor to use them themselves, even when
they have not been wholly hypothecated, as they commonly are, to the
mahajans on account of advances. The jungle products are the great
stand-by, and furnish a means of subsistence to
Jungle products.
many thousands for several months of each year.
The reservation of large tracts of forest has, however, curtailed the
areas accessible to the people, and thus in bad seasons the relief to
be obtained from these jungle products is less than it was formerly.
CRES)
23 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Mr. Forbes seems to think that the cotton crop is the one most
TR likely to flourish and yield a good return under
OLLON o
proper cultivation. But for this to be successful
a better class of seed should be imported.
The majority of cotton-bearing plants which I saw averaged under
a foot in height. Not only is the variety grown a stunted miserable
one, but it appears to be partieularly subject to the attacks of insects;
at least such was the case with the crops grown last season after the
short rainfall. In at least 75 per cent. of the cotton fields seen by me,
І noticed that the bols had not been collected, but had fallen to the
ground where they were left to rot, the reason being, asI was informed,
that the kernels had been eaten by grubs, and that it was therefore
impossible to clear the fibre from the broken fragments of the seed
shells in the rude machines (cZir£os) used for that purpose.
The damage done to the kharif crops by drought, to the rabi
crops by rain coming too late and by heavy hoar-
frosts, and finally to the crop of mhowa flowers .
by rain, while the collection of a most abundant harvest was going on,
Loss of last year's crops.
all contributed to make up during the last twelve months in Palamow a
tale of loss and consequent suffering, without absolute famine, which it is
most unpleasant to contemplate.
In Mr. Forbes’ report and the appendices will be found full in-
formation as to the principal crops grown and the
amount of exports from which deductions may be
drawn as to the probable amount of grain traffic.
The immediate result of an inereased prosperity among the people
would, perhaps, be a diminution in the quantity of grain exported.
But with the introduction of capital and improved systems of cultiva-
tion, this would be far more than recouped in a very few years.
Crops how raised and
exported.
SECTION 5.—CLIMATE.
The comparative healthiness of a district in which it is proposed to *
establish iron-works or other similar undertakings should be no mean
( 88 )
CLIMATE. 29
factor in the determination of the preliminaries of the project. So far
as my personal experience goes, Palamow is the healthiest part of Chutia
Nagpur. The amount of sickness in my camp was most conspicuously
less than it has been in other parts of the division.
But the very different amount of sickness which I witnessed and
participated in two successive seasons in Sirguja warns me from attempt-
ing to generalise on the personal experience of but one season in
Palamow. The balance of testimony, however, seems to indicate that
the healthiness of Palamow is above the average of similar hilly
districts. The highland päts might be advantageously used as local
sanitaria.
Note.—It may, perhaps, be thought by some readers that the topics discussed in this mis-
cellaneous chapter are hardly suitable to the pages of a geological report. But their
connection with the question of the development of the mineral resources is not likely to be
denied, and no other justification for their appearance here is, perhaps, necessary. There are
many other subjects connected with the natural productions, te history and the antiqui-
ties and the ethnology which might be dwelt on at some length, but without the above
justifieation. The introduction of all such subjects, therefore, is serupulously omitted, and
the information on the first-mentioned is conveyed in as few and as brief paragraphs as
is consistent with a reasonable amount of clearness.
89 )
CHAPTER IV.
GENERAL GEOLOGY.
Formations Represented.
AT one time it seemed probable that the termination of the series of
coal fields in the Damuda valley would be found to be exactly coincident
with marked changes in the characters of the Gondwana rock-groups,
and that this would at once become apparent as new areas in the country
farther west were brought under examination. Already in the Karan-
pura fields the central groups so well developed in the Raniganj field
had been found to be diminished in thickness and modified in character.
The result of the examination of the various coal-fields of Palamow has
been to confirm the general truth of the view thus entertained, but the
change has proved to be not quite so abrupt and is not coincident with
the termination of the Damuda valley, but takes place farther west.
Had it been abrupt, the diffieulty in correlating the several groups |
EI OE ш would have been great, as the aid whieh might
mu aided by have been afforded by the presence of distinguish-
X able fossils has been denied to us for the present,
Fossil plants are not indeed wholly absent, as will appear on a future
page, but they have not been available for purposes of determining
the ages of the rocks in which they occur. The geologieal formations
and sub-division of formations represented within the limits of the area
herein described are as follows (in descending order) :—
Superficial deposits.
Laterite.
Deccan trap.
UPPER Mahadeva series.
GONDWANA Panchet group.
SYSTEM. L Lower ES ;
OWER DAMUDA SERIES.
| Barakar „,
Talchır 2
Metamorphie series.
(00%)
Э]
METAMORPHIC SERIES. 5l
Before proceeding to the detailed account of the above sedimentary
formations under the headings of the different fields in whieh they occur,
it wil be well with the aid of the accompanying small-scale map, to
indieate generally the extent of their distribution so far as it is known
throughout the whole area, and to point out the resemblances and
relations which exist between the deposits of identical age in more or less
widely-separated localities. But first it will be necessary to give a
. general sketch of the crystalline or metamorphic rocks which form
the floor of the basins or troughs in which the more recent rocks have
been deposited.
SECTION 1.—METAMORPHIC SERIES.
A considerable number of observations on these basal rocks have
been accumulated during theseason, in consequence of its having been
necessary to make traverses in various directions, in order to examine
deposits of iron ores at a distance from the coal fields, and also for the
purpose of searching for outlying areas of sedimentary rocks. Although
the observations made under these circumstances are therefore of a some-
what disconnected character, sufficient has been seen to show that the
detailed examination of these rocks will not improbably throw much light
on the origin of the leading structural features of the country.
So far as is certainly known, the metamorphie rocks of this area belong
to but one great series, but there are some marked features in the distri-
Distribution of litho. bution of the several lithological varieties. In the
батса varieties. west, massive granitic rocks with abundant veins
of pegmatite and epidotie granite prevail. In association with them
there is an enormous thickness of erystalline limestone which will
presently be described. The economic importance of this rock will also
secure for it some further notice in the proper section.
Towards the centre of the area, west of Munkah, there is a complete
change in the character of the rocks. Hornblendie
gneissesare there the most common form met with.
Many of these have a markedly trappean aspect, and are sometimes not
Es.)
Hornblendie rocks.
32 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
to be distinguished from trap. In association with these rocks occur all
the principal deposits of magnetic iron ore.
Farther west, in the neighbourhood of Ramkunda, a black micaceous
granite, which is occasionally syenitic, occurs over
Black mica granite. : | у
a considerable tract of country. To the south of this
the granitie rocks are chiefly remarkable for including very fine veins of
stilbite. "Towards the Kunhur the hornblendie gneisses disappear, and
among the granitie rocks a coarsely porphyritie variety becomes the
most prominent form. "Throughout the whole area schistose rocks are
rare.
In the country south of our main area rise several lofty ranges of hills
which are prineipally formed of metamorphie rocks, but on some of them
deposits of sandstone, trap, or laterite occur, forming distinetly marked
eaps. The Gulgul and Neturhat páts belong to this latter class and
have bases of highly granitoid gneiss.
To the above general sketeh of the distribution 1t will be well to add
some further details. Approaching the Aurunga
Fault rock at Pukree. JN
valley by the road from Balumath, a very distinct
ridge of fault rock is met with crossing the road near Pukree and
striking thence to west-south-west. A mile farther on, at Olherpát,
there is a considerable exposure of limestone, This
Limestone. = i -
consists partly of highly calcareous gneiss and
partly of vein-like lentieular masses of crystalline limestone. For about
a mile and a quarter, or nearly up to the village of Deredag, the road
crosses the outerops of similar rocks, the strike being to about 35° east
of north, with varying, but high, dips.
In the Chunhat stream the limestone is clearly seen to be cut off by
the fault, whose presence was indieated by the already mentioned fault
rock. Close to the village of Chunhat the water charged with lime
from this source falls over a step in the gneiss, and the evaporation of the
spray and drip, extended over a long period of time, has resulted in the
(82)
METAMORPHIC SERIES. 33
formation of a very considerable bank of calcareous tuff which is well
known to the people*, though the limestone rock,
as such, is not.
Calcareous tuff.
On the low plateau ground to the south of this position the lime-:
stones, flung westward by the fault, reappear and are seemingly richer
and purer than they are at Olherpát. The following is the result of an
examination of a sample from this southern locality by Mr. Mallet :—
Carbonate of lime д А : i А A : . 919
25 magnesia : : > ; ; 2
Oxide of iron and alumina . 4 : А E д А F
Insoluble A 72
100:0
The small proportion of carbonate of magnesia and the purity in other
- respects indicate a high value for this limestone as a flux for iron-smelting.
The limestones are covered up on the west by Barakar grits and
ı conglomerates, upon which too, in the neighbour-
Continuation of fault. S
: hood of a stream, a tuffaceous deposit is in process
of formation. The continuation of the fault is marked near the village
of Koorean by a ridge of fault rock which is surrounded on all sides by
Barakar beds, those on the north dipping away at high angles. This is
to be attributed rather to subsidence along the old line of fracture than
to the original fault, which, in all probability, operated before the deposi-
tion of the Barakars.
Had it taken place subsequently, its effects, considering the fling it
has certainly given to the limestones, should be distinctly traceable in
the distortion of the ironstones and carbonaceous shales beyond Lejang,
but no such distortion 1s to be seen.
Along the eastern margin of the field the bounding rocks are chiefly
granitic gneisses with veins of quartz and pegmatite. Inside the
margin a small inlier of these rocks is exposed one mile north-west of
a This is shewn by the name of the village, which is derived from chuna (lime).
C (88 )
34 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS,
the village of Seruk. To the north of the field at Balu-naggar there
are several hills connected with the higher regions bordering the valley,
which are formed chiefly of thin-bedded hornblendie gneisses, with veins
of coarsely crystalline pink granite and pegmatite, and capped by
Barakar pebble conglomerates, as will be described on a futurepage. In
the valley of the Tataka, to the west of this, the rocks consist chiefly of
gneiss with pegmatite and epidote veins, but hornblendic and granitie
rocks also occur. The general strike of these rocks is the same as that
of the bounding face of the plateau and of the subordinate ranges, being
about east-north-east to west-south-west.
A very peculiar form of gneiss, which I at first mistook for indurated
Barakar sandstone, occurs in that portion of the
Sukri which lies to the north-west of Toobed.
Foliation is obscure, and the face of the rock shews lenticular masses and
Sandstone-like gneiss,
strings of coarsely granular structure, which closely simulate the irregular
texture of certain Barakar sandstones.
These rocks are cut into a deep gorge by the Sukri and are in places
an eroded into pot-holes of considerable dimensions.
The rocks which surround the remainder of the
western extension of the Aurunga field consist mainly of varieties of
granitic and hornblendic gneiss, about which there is nothing of import-
ance to be recorded.
On the southern side of the field the metamorphie rocks have a
cenerally similar charaeter. It is noteworthy that
in the Aurunga river section, a short distance north
of the Daltonganj and Ranchi road near the village of Bhoosor, the
` gneisses are somewhat calcareous, and that they are on about the position
of the south-west continuation of the direction of strike of the above-
described limestones of Chunhut.
Caleareous gneiss.
Besides the inlier already mentioned north-west of Seruk, there are
m several other localities where metamorphic rocks
niers. . e
occur inside the boundary. In the Sukri section
( 84 )
METAMORPHIC SERIES. 35
east of Mooroop there is a small exposure of granitie gneiss within the
limits of the Barakars.
Near the villages of Bindee and Ledupali gneiss occupies two small
areas within the boundary of the Talchir rocks. Reference to the map
will shew the position and relative importance of all these.
In the valley of the Aurunga to the north-west of the Aurunga
PLIN field the metamorphie rocks consist chiefly of
Hornblendic gneiss. В у У 3
hornblendic gueisses, and in some cases, as in the
neighbourhood of Kedh and Bansdeeh, of hornblendie rocks wich a
cannon ball structure which may be really intrusive diorite so far as any-
thing is certainly known to the contrary. In association with these
rocks occur all the prineipal deposits of magnetite as at Lunkah,
Rajhera, &e. These will be fully described in the economie chapter.
In the Maila river section, half a mile east of Satbarwah, there is an
exposure of a considerable thickness of limestone,
Limestones near Sat-
ecu and caleareous gneisses. "They do not appear to be
nearly so pure or clean as those in the Toree
parganah above deseribed. A fair average sample yielded to Mr. Mallet
the following percentage composition : —
Carbonate of lime s : : 3 " Nos . 608
3 magnesia > - : - : 5 . 160
Alumina and oxide of iron . x : Е 2 A OO
Insoluble . : 7 : М А à å : 18:2
100:0
This would be a very indifferent flux for iron-smelting, but it is possi-
ble some portions may prove to be of better quality.
The hilly ground on both sides of the Koel above its junetion with
the Aurunga, and thence, up to and beyond Daltonganj, consists of similar
rocks, with which granitie varieties are occasionally interpolated. This
region has not yet been thoroughly explored; but so far as is at present
known, the only sedimentary rocks found there occur as a cap of arkose
grit, which forms the plateau of the Chongah hill station.
| ( 35 )
96 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
On the hill east of the village of Kokaroh there is a vein of white
rock consisting partly of cale-spar and partly of
Labradorite with calc-
spar.
a mineral which has been analysed by Mr. Mallet,
who regards it asan abnormal form of labradorite.®
Passing now to the description of the rocks in the area surrounding
the Hutar field, it is found that they present no general characters
which. would serve to distinguish them from those in the neighbour-
hood of the Aurunga field, but there are several points about them
deserving of notice. At the north-east end of the field they are
traversed by clearly defined trap dykes, no similar
Trap dykes. А 3 : X
intrusions having been met with elsewhere.
On the south a lofty range which runs east and west, and 1s continuous
with the one forming the southern limit of the Aurunga field, 1s formed
of granitie gneiss, with quartz and granite veins of ordinary character.
This ridge is very possibly connected with a line of faulted upheaval.
North-west of the field in the region surrounding Ramkunda, the
metamorphie rocks are much decomposed, and there
Neighbourhood of
zm. EE are wide tracts of raviny, unreclaimed land, covered
by sál and bush jungle. The map well illustrates
the character of the network of streamlets and ravines abounding in
that neighbourhood. Where rock has been conserved, it mostly appears
in the shape of bosses and tors of a blaek syenite-looking rock, some of
which is indeed lithologically true syenite, but more commonly the
colouring mineral is black mica and not hornblende.
In this region, south of the village of Manjuri and at the mouth
Au of the stream which, rising in the Bijka peak,
joins the Atee river, there occur several veins of
stilbite. This mineral, though well known to occur in metamorphic as
well as voleanie rocks, has been but rarely met with in India in this
association. 1 am unaware of the existence of any record of 1ts having
been found elsewhere in this country in equal profusion and beauty.
а It is partially decomposable by HCl. The filtrate contains alumina and lime. It
does not gelatinize with acid. It contains no water. Hardness 6'5. *
(C99)
METAMORPHIC SERIES. 37
Three distinet veins were observed: the principal one oceurs about
80 yards in from the mouth of the stream. It is from half an inch to ten
inches wide, with a vertical underlie, and strike of about west-20°-north.
Though for the most part the vein lies parallel to the planes of foliation
of the pink porphyritie gneiss which eneloses it, it does not invariably
do so. The mineral has a laminated, somewhat hackly structure, and is
of a bright salmon-coloured hue with a pearly lustre. Associated with
. it, there are plates of quartz pseudo-morphic after micaceous iron.
A second vein occurs close to the mouth of the stream. It is in !
places one foot wide, and the combination in it of the stilbite with the
pseudo-morphie quartz produces a very beautiful structure.
A third smaller vein was noted in the bed of the Atee. Very
possibly there may be others also.
Veins of pink pegmatite and epidote occur in some abundance also
in the vieinity of the stilbite.
West of Hutar field the sections in the Supahi exhibit a considerable
variety of the ordinary forms of gneiss with veins
of granite, pegmatite and quartz. Hornblendie
rocks are there more rarely represented, but are by no means wholly
Supahi river sections,
absent. Towards the valley of the Kunhur coarse porphyritie gneis
comes in abundantly often forming considerable ridges.
Traverses made southwards from the region above described to the
Neturhat and Gulgul péés or plateaux did not
The päts. {
reveal the presence of any metamorphie rocks
meriting particular or special notice. It may be stated, however, that the
face of Neturhat on the north is principally formed of a massive felspathie
granite, in which fohation is either very obscure or wholly non-existent.
Rocks referable to the sub-metamorphie series are not represented in
Sub-metamorphie :se- this area, but only a few miles off to the south and
Ties absent. south-west they are found in the neighbourhood
of the Bisrampur coal field in the distriet of Sirguja.
(0587 )
38 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
SECTION 2.—TALCHIR GROUP.
GONDWANA SYSTEM:
The following table indicates the geographical distribution of the
Gondwana rock groups'in Palamow and the neighbouring portions ef
the adjoining districts :—
Table showing the distribution of the Gondwana rock groups in the coal fields _
of Palamow and adjoining areas. |
HAZARIBAGH.& PALAMOW. SIRGUJA.
Itkuri. Chope. | Karanpura. Aurunga. Hutar. |Daltengunj.| Tatapani. | Bisrampar.
55) Se Mahadeva ...| Mahadeva ... | Mahadeva 2 Mahadeva | Mahadeva.
Panchet ..|Panehet. | ...... er cone 550002
Rameuny Ваше УЗЕТИ СЯ
Barakar ... | Barakar ... | Barakar ... | Barakar ... | Barakar ... | Barakar ... | Barakar ... | Barakar.
Talchir ... | Talchir ... | Talehir ... | Talchir ... | Talchir ... | Talehir ... | Talehir ... | Talehir.
Besides the above there are several isolated areas both in Hu
bagh and Palamow where the Talchir group only is represented.
The Talchir rocks have recently, on account of the characters of
their fossil eontents, been degraded from their position as a series readily
separable from all rocks of the Damuda series to that of a group under
the widely-spreading embrace of the Gondwana system. But the very
latest examination of their physical relations tends only to confirm the
propriety of therearlier classification. |
It is believed from the charaeters of the fossils that the coal mea-
sures of Karharbari are really of this age in spite of lithological resem-
blance to Barakars. On this particular case I offer at present no opinion,
but ean only say that in the many fields which I have examined the
a Only the coal fields of the Hazaribagh district which are the nearest to Palamow
are included here.
( 98.)
TALCHIR GROUP. 39
Talchirs appear to me to be separated by a greater hiatus from the
overlying coal measures than is implied by speaking of them respectively
as being consecutive groups of the same series.*
The Talchir rocks in our area, though nowhere exposed over so
extensive a tract as they occupy in the Daltonganj field, are still, in all
probability, widely spread under the newer deposits.
Their presence is indicated by narrow marginal strips at separated in-
tervals along the boundaries of the Aurunga field, and in more steadily con-
tinuous exposures round the limits of the coal measures of the Hutar field.
They occur also on the eastern margins of the Tatapani and Bisrampur fields.
Several detached outliers in the vieinity of the Aurunga field are partly,
or altogether, made up of rocks of this age, and at Satbarwah, in the bed
of the Maila (or Mylee) river, they occupy an area of about three square
miles, being unaccompanied there by any more recent deposits.
As this Satbarwah area is about centrically situated with reference
to the three coal fields of Daltonganj, Hutar and
Aurunga, it can scarcely be regarded as pertaining
more to one than to another. The rocks there occurring may, there-
fore, most fittingly be described in this place. The fact of their exist-
ence has already been noted by Mr. Hughes in his report on the Dal-
tonganj field’ and by Mr. Forbes in his settlement report.
Talchirs at Satbarwah.
The area occupied by these beds extends as an irregular strip for
nearly five miles along the bed of the Maila, with an average width
of about two-thirds of a mile. East of the village of Bari the boundary is
concealed by alluvium, and it may be that the Talchir rocks extend for
some distance under the cultivated plain 1n that neighbourhood.
The ordinary varieties of sandstones, shales and boulder conglome-
rates represent the group in this area ; but it is noteworthy that in some
. of the last-mentioned beds, in addition to rounded boulders of metamor-
a This question has many points in common with the difficult one as to the limits of
the terms ‘ genus’ and ‘species.’
> Memoirs, Q. S. I., vol, VIII, page 22.
( 39 )
40 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
phie rocks, large-sized angular fragments of vein-granite and gneiss
occur in some abundance.
In the Daltonganj field Mr. Hughes estimates the thickness of the
Talehirs at 500 feet. In the area under description
Thickness.
they probably do not exceed a total of 300 feet.
The members of this group, within the limits of the Aurunga and
Hutar fields, possess lithological characters which,
Abnormal rocks. : :
as a general rule, may be described as being
normal. There are some exceptions to this rule, however, which merit
particular notice. In the Aurunga field near Latiahar there are some
sandy and fibrous shales, with papery carbonaceous layers, which for rea-
sons given further on I refer to this age. In the Hutar field in some
instances there is found to be in the boulder bed a preponderance of red
(Vindhyan) quartzite boulders over those derived from the neighbouring
metamorphie rocks.
Besides the areas herein described it is not improbable that other
detached patches of Talchirs may be found in the hilly broken ground
surrounding the coal fields.
SECTION 3.— BARAKAR GROUP.
The lithological characters of the rocks of this group vary very much
in the different coal fields of Palamow.
In the Daltonganj field Mr. Hughes found* that the typical Barakar
sandstone of the eastern fields is replaced by “ а false-bedded rock with
fine and coarse layers of sand deposited often at an angle of 50° with
the plane of the bedding." It is friable, earthy and slightly calcareous
and consequently rather resembles a common form of sandstone in the
Raniganj group than it does any normal Barakar form previously met with.
In the Aurunga field the rocks of this group may, in general terms,
Lithological characters be described as being normal, perhaps even more so
of Aurunga Barakars. than they are in the Karanpura field. The ordi-
а Memoirs, G, S. I., vol. VIII, page 333.
o
BARAKAR GROUP. 4]
nary forms of sandstone grits and conglomerates all oceur, and huge seams,
eonsisting largely of carbonaceous shale, are found at various horizons
and with most irregular lateral extension. As will be amply exemplified
in the detailed sections which are given below, the irregularity in the
deposition of the various Barakar beds was extreme. Internal overlap
exists on a large scale being very clearly shewn in certain closely ad-
jacent sections, where beds are seen to thin out or expand, as the case
` may be, with extraordinary rapidity. The bottom beds are usually
conglomerates, with small rounded pebbles of white quartz. Occasionally,
however, these are replaced by what would be more properly denomi-
nated as óreccias, the fragments of quartz being sharply angular and
quite unworn, in this respect resembling some of the coal-measure
conglomerates of the Karharbari field. In the eastern parts of the field
these lowest beds are often covered by white and pinkish, somewhat
elunchy, clays. Occasionally, too, there are dark-red clays at about the
same horizon, but sometimes these last oceur at the very base, in which
cases they might very probably be taken as belonging to the Talchir
group, from which however they must, I think, be separated.
Above this lower zone comes one of variable thickness, consisting
of sandstones, carbonaceous shales and ironstones,which extends up to the
base of the Raniganj group. In the sandstones next adjacent to the
conglomerates coneretionary masses of brown or red hematites occur
in considerable abundance. These are covered by an irregular sequence .
of carbonaceous shales (with coal), ironstones and sandstones, which in
en“ some instances, as at Toobed on the north, and in
some of the sections of the Aurunga and Ghugree
on the south, have completely overlapped both the iron-bearing sand-
tones and the conglomerates of the lower zone, and rest directly and
naturally on the metamorphie rocks.
In the neighbourbood of Latiahar this upper zone has a very much
diminished thickness, and west of the Aurunga has
Thinning out to west.
wholly disappeared, for we find there that the
Mahadevas rest directly on the lower conglomerates. How far this
(ОШ)
42 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
is attributable to original limitation of the area of deposit, how far to
denudation, is uncertain; but that some denudation took place is pro-
bable, though there are no very clear sections showing unconformable
superposition.
The maximum thiekness of Barakar beds in the Aurunga field is
Thickness. about 1,500 feet.
As a coal-bearing group the rocks of this field take but low rank;
for although the quantity of coaly matter is
Coal inferior.
great, the quality is markedly inferior to that
of the coal in the other fields.
Although the Barakar beds in certain traets throughout the field
do not show signs of much disturbance, great
Disturbance. ET E n
local tilting is of common occurrence. This is
particularly found to be the case along the natural boundaries, and
appears to be attributable to lateral thrust and compression, produced in
connection with several considerable main lines of fault.
In many of the sections a vertical contact between the bottom beds
of the Barakars and the metamorphic rocks has been thus estab-
lished.
In the Hutar field, although its position is so closely adjacent to that
of Aurunga, the coal measures present many
Lithological charac- y ave ; ;
ters of Barakars in points of striking contrast to those just described.
field. o :
E In the east of the field the Talchirs are overlaid
by sandstones and conglomerates, which form hills and plateaux having
a stronger structural resemblance to those formed of Mahadevas than
have the hillocks and ridges which usually characterise areas where
Barakar rocks are found.
In the Dauri river section, and thence westwards to the extreme
limits of the field, a basal zone of sandstones and conglomerates with
coal seams first appears,—no trace of coal being seen in the scarps of
the hills and seetions which are passed before that river 1s reached,
(4 )
.
BARAKAR GROUP, 45
To this basal zone the whole of the coal is confined, and not only is
E there this contrast with the state of things just
described, but the coal seams are themselves of a
completely different character. Instead of the thick irregular seams,
which consist largely of carbonaceous shales as above described, we here
meet with seams which are generally thin, sometimes lentieular, and
consisting of a more compact and uniform material which is sometimes
a high class fuel. These seams are parted from each other by massive
beds of sandstone, the whole being contained in a zone, very possibly not
exceeding 200 feet in thickness, whieh exists as a margin, internal to
the Talehirs, all round the western portion of the field, except at those
points where it has been eut off by faults.
On the right or eastern side of the Koelriver the high ground is
formed of sandstone grits and conglomerates, which, as has been above
stated, overlap on to the Talchirs at the eastern end of the area. At
one time I was inclined to suppose that some ferruginous beds which
oceur near and at the top of the rocks forming these highlands might
possibly belong to the Mahadeva series, but I was afterwards compelled
to class them all as Barakars.
The thickness of the group as now existing in this portion of the field
is probably under 600 feet. West of the Koel a
o ы change takes place, the upper overlapping
Koel.
zone of sandstones and conglomerates thins out and
no longer forms hills and plateaux, In the extreme west it is represented
by but a narrow zone of sandstones and conglomerates which overlies the
coal-bearing zone, and is overlaid by a considerable
EE DM west of put varying thickness of beds forming a synclinal
basin, and of which the determination of the age
and affinities has been a considerable source of doubt and diffieulty.
Though in places somewhat resembling true Barakars, their more
constant lithological characters may’ be described as being unique.
They consist of coarse grits and conglomerates, the latter containing not
unfrequently fragments of metamorphie rocks, and not being composed
| ( 48 )
` 44 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
exclusively of rounded or angular white quartz pebbles, as is commonly
the ease with normal Barakars. Associated with them there are green,
somewhat clunchy, clays, and occasionally soft yellowish sandstones.
This group is overlaid by Mahadevas, which are precisely similar in
lithological and structural characters to the rocks of the same age in
the Aurunga and Karanpura fields. How far the superposition by
these Mahadevas is strictly conformable, it is difficult to say; but that
the thickness overlaid varies very considerably in different places is
sufficiently obvious, as will be seen by reference to the map.
From their position the rocks of this zone might be taken to
represent the Raniganj group, but the lithological characters of the
grits and conglomerates are a bar in the way of this supposition, normal
Raniganj rocks being strongly characterised by the fineness and
uniformity of their texture, To the grits which occasionally occur in
the Panchets (Lower Panchets of old classification), they present a
certain but not suffieiently close resemblance for satisfactory correlation.
The alternative left is to regard them as a local
en Sub-group of Barakars with special characters. In
favour of the adoption of this view, there is the fact that irregularities
produced by thinning out being excepted, they rest with perfect
uniformity on the beds of the lower zone, and that a few cases were
met with where green clunchy beds appeared to occupy a position
within the limits of the lower zone, thus preceding, and asit were
anticipating, the coming more general change.
In the Tatapani field west of the Kunhur, so far as my brief
examination of it enabled me to form an opinion,
Tatapani field, Mte E А й o
similar rocks occupy the position of the intermedi-
ate sandstone and conglomerate zone which has there died out, and rest
directly on a thin bottom zone of sandstones, carbonaceous shales and coal.
On the map the limits of this sub-group in that portion of the
Hutar field which lies west of the Koel is indicated by a dotted line.
I have not thought it to be advisable to distinguish it by a separate
colour at present.
( 44 )
MAHADEVA SERIES. . 45
Including this sub-group with the lower rocks of undoubted Barakar
age, there is a total maximum continuous thickness of 2,750 feet in
Hutar field, the lime of section being measured in the valley of the
Supahi from Toleh or Tiharo to the foot of the Doothoo Hills,
SECTION 4.—RaNIGANJ GROUP.
Since within our area representatives of this group are alone found
in the Aurunga field, it will be better; as avoiding unnecessary reiteration,
to refer to section 3 of Chapter V for a description of them. The maxi-
mum thickness I estimate at from 900 feet to 1,000.
SECTION 5,—PANCHET GROUP.
The above remark applies to the rocks of this group also. An
account of the Aurunga field Panchets will be found in section 4 of
Chapter V. The maximum thickness does not exceed 700 feet and is
possibly less.
SECTION 6,—MAHADEVA SERIES.
In the table given on page 38 it will be seen that this series
is represented in all the fields from Karanpura to Tatapani which lie on
the same line of strike. Not only is the correlation fully established by
the identity of lithological characters, but the physical features of the
successive plateaux or groups of hills occur with an extraordinary repeti-
Bin OE the several tion of minutie. The conclusion from these facts,
fields once continuous. that these now detached areas are the remnant of
a once continuous deposit seems to be unavoidable.
The lithological characters which are thus constant for the distance
Sou M chos: mentioned are somewhat different from those of
ters, the deposits in the more eastern fields of Bokaroh
and Raniganj. Notable in this respect is the scarcity of conglomerates
and the absence of that form to which the name of pudding stone might
be applied. On the other hand, there is a very considerable resemblance
blanco to Hiugir between these rocks both structurally and lithologi-
Kamthis. cally, and those of the Hingir field, whose fossil
( 45 )
46 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
contents have determined their age as belonging to the Kamthi-
Raniganj groups. This lithological resemblance is even strikingly
apparent in the hand specimens placed side by side in the Museum.
But for the existence of representatives of the Raniganj and Panchet
groups in the Aurunga. field and the obvious identity of these highest
rocks with those in the Karanpura field, I should have been at first
inclined to regard these rocks as being identical with the Hingir rocks.
The reflection suggested is that either the Hingir rocks are separable
into two groups, or that they indicate a coalescence or blending of the
characteristics of two groups which in this area are separated. by a
distinct interval. The geological history of other countries furnishes us
with cases parallel to the latter. The fact indicates the difficulties
which will be experienced in relegating these often unfossiliferous rocks
which occur in the wide region to the west and south-west to their
proper positions in the geological sequence.
Along this central line of distribution there can be little doubt that
BT ial ef op Бе the general surface of the Mahadevas before being
of Mahadevas. denuded stood at a pretty continuous and equable
level of rather more than 2,000 feet, 7.e., at the same level as that of the
bounding plateaux.
The correlation of certain sandstones which occur as caps on some.
of the hill tops and ridges in the neighbourhood of the fields, more
. particularly on those south of the Aurunga, has
Age of hill capping 2 MA
sandstones unascertain- not yet been finally accomplished, and it is to be
p regretted that there has as yet been no time for doing
so.. Primá facie, it might justly be anticipated that, wherever in the
vicinity of the coal fields sandstones occur at elevations of, and over 2,000
feet, they would prove to belong to the Mahadeva series, But the result
of examination hitherto has been to demonstrate that, while the
Damudas are represented by widely-separated deposits which occur at
various elevations’, the Mahadevas are restricted within very narrow
a e, y. in the Daltonganj, Chope, Itkuri and Karharbari fields.
( 48 )
MAHADEVA SERIES. 41
and easily defined north and south limits. Rocks which it is believed
belong to the same age do, indeed, occur in the Rajmahal hills and in
the Bisrampur field in Sirguja, but these are localities so far removed
from thetraet of country under consideration that they may for the
moment be disregarded. The fact then to be accounted for is the
Limits of zone of dig. Ccurrence of these Mahadevas along a zone of
tribution. , country 240 miles long and from 3 to 12 miles
wide, this maximum width being attained in but one place in the
Karanpura field, which oceupies about the centre of the whole length.
Otherwise, the distribution may be indicated by saying that, excepting
the areas in the Raniganj field, which are slightly to the south, it is con-
fined within the 23° 40’ and 23° 50' parallels of north latitude.
We have evidence, afforded by the present varied elevations of the
Cause of the limita. “oal measure deposits, and the frequent recurrence of
tion, great lines of east and west faulting in the Damuda
valley and more western coal fields, that great disruption of the origin-
ally much more extensive and continuous deposits took place ;* and that
while the broken and disturbed areas raised to the higher elevation
have been much denuded, the principal coal fields have been preserved in
consequence of their being protected in a trough produced perhaps by a
fold in conjunction with the faulting.
In this trough or valley a huge sluggish river, with little power for
excavating, may have flowed and gradually deposited the sand and gravel
which has formed the Mahadeva rocks.
The past history of the Panchet group has not been alluded to, but
E ыу eB dio 16 seems probable that it is the same as that of the
Panchets. older groups, though both it and the Raniganj and
Ironstone Shale group have this in common with the Mahadevas, that
. their distribution is restricted to a definite zone. There is, however, a
2 On a first glance at the map the clear definition of the valleys in which the Aurunga
and Hutar fields respectively lie suggests that these were the original limits of deposition,
but examination rather tends in the direction of showing that these bounding highlands are
due to subsequent upheaval.
( 47 )
48 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
much more marked unconformity between the Mahadevas and the
underlying Panchets than there is between the other groups respect-
ively.
The absence, in the eastern fields, of clearly marked unconformable
Оа junctions showing disturbance is no doubt а diffi-
evidence of disturbance. culty in connection with this theory, as some evi-
dence of the kind might reasonably be expected ; but if it be remembered
that the disturbance need not have been very marked along the central
axis of the subsided rocks*, and that the scour of the supposed river could
not be very great, as the average gradient throughout the 240 miles can
scarcely have exceeded three feet per mile^, the diffieulty is considerably
lessened. | |
Moreover, it may be that the absence of the normal sequence of beds
| . between the Barakars and Mahadevas in the west
Possible denudation +
of groups to west of may really be due to denudation. Thus to the west
Aurunga field. с o 5
of Latiahar in the Aurunga field, and in the Hutar
and Tatapani fields, the Mahadevas rest directly on the Barakars with-
out the intervention of representatives of the groups found to the
east.
The maximum thickness of these beds is probably not less than 800
feet, and may be nearer to 1,000. In the detailed
a aecounts below I give measurements. With Mr.
Hughes” estimate of the thickness of these rocks in the. Karanpura field
Т cannot agree. “ Three or, perhaps, two hundred feet,” he writes, * would
probably be its maximum development.” But in some of the scarps
wholly formed of these rocks in the Karanpura field, a thiekness of 500
feet is frequently exposed, and in the Maudih hill the total thickness
must be several hundred feet more.
? On the margins of the fields in those cases where there are no main bounding faults,
there are often evidences in the tilted beds of great lateral crushing and pressure.
b The Balumath watershed (vide p. 13) was very possibly formed afterthe deposition
of the Mahadevas. If it existed before, the beds in the Karanpura and Aurunga fields,
although the scarps are so similar, could not have been continuous.
(4)
DECCAN TRAP AND LATERITE, 49
SECTION 7.—Deccan TRAP AND LATERITE.
In the localities where Deccan trap and laterite occur their relations
are so intimate that it will be most convenient to describe them toge-
ther. Neither are found within the limits of the coal fields. Indeed, low-
levellaterite seems to be wholly absent in this
Low-level laterite ab-
iod area, and the only trap which has as yet been
met with occurs in the form of dykes which
traverse the metamorphies and in places the Talehirs along the northern
margin of the Hutar field, and belongs very possibly to an earlier
period than the Deccan trap, but which must, however, have been subse-
quent to the Talchir period.
So far then as our present knowledge goes, these rocks are confined
to the highest elevations on the south of the
1 hich E : =
Occur only at high subdivision and the neighbouring tracts of Lohar-
elevations.
| dugga proper. It is possible that they may here-
after be found at lower elevations; but so far as they have hitherto been
examined, the base of the trap does not occur in this region below
elevations of about 3,000 feet above the sea. The páts, or plateaux which
have been visited by members of the Geological Survey so far are
known by the following names: Neturhat, 3,356 feet ; Lamtipát, 3,777
feet; Gulgulpät, 3,823 feet, Mailampät, 4,024.
Neturhat.—The ascent of this plateau was made on the north side
ИА from the village of Pindra, which is situated south
of Sımah. The base is formed of a massive
felspathie granite, which is exposed to within about 420 feet of the top.
Laterite, fallen and to some extent reconsolidated, then appears, but
it is doubtful whether it occurs there in original contact with the gneiss,
since boulders of trap were found about 240 feet higher up or within
180 feet from the summit, after which laterite only was seen, No
trap was actually observed iz situ near this line of ascent, Possibly
* Detailed examination of the northern portion of the district, not yet visited, may
perhaps reveal some.
D ( 49 )
50 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
near some of the other routes there may be clearer sections of the scarped
sides of the plateau. | ,
The laterite varies much in character. Sometimes it is pisolitie
and argillaceous, containing but a small quantity
Lithological character
de BEES of iron. Occasionally, it is cellular with a larger
percentage of ferruginous matter, passing thence
into a remarkably rich brown ore (limonite),* which contains 45:5 per
cent. of iron, and is smelted by the Neturhat Aguriahs.
The Neturhat plateau is about 4 miles long by 23 broad, but this is.
likely to give an exaggerated idea of its area, which
Summit of plateau. 3
does not exceed about 7 square miles. The central
southern portion forms a basin traversed by a perennial stream, which
runs from south to north. The laterite within this basin is covered
by about a foot or so of soil, and the locality has already attraeted two :
tea companies, as has already been mentioned.
Lamtipát is in close proximity to the Gulgulpat about to be describ-
ed. The thicknesses of the trap and laterite respectively have not yet
been ascertained, but both are believed to occur there. |
Gulgulpát.—On this hill, which is a long ridge, capped at its centre
BR by a steep-sided mass of laterite and trap, gneiss
was found exposed up to a point about 260 feet
below the summit, or in other words at an elevation of 3,563 feet above
the sea. Fallen laterite then conceals the section; but trap boulders
were noted at least 90 feet higher, though no trap was seen im situ.
The crowning layer of laterite is, perhaps, 60 feet thick and is much :
split and crevassed. The huge blocks so separated have, in some cases,
fallen away from the mass and present a strange appearance, which is
in some cases intensified by the creepers and luxuriant jungle which
in part conceal their Titanie dimensions. Much of the laterite is
pisolitie and similar in character to that of Neturhat, but I did not
a This I believe to be the ore called dherbur by the natives.
( 50 )
SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS. 51
meet with any ore of iron equal in quality to the Neturhat stone. So
far as I know, none is worked. The only inhabitants on the slopes are
semi-wild Korewahs, whose very extensive hill elearances have laid low
considerable tracts of forests.
Mailampät.—This plateau, which has a considerable extent of flat
ground on the top, has not as yet hadits trap-laterite cap measured.
Other well-known plateaux of considerable extent, but situated beyond
our present limits, are those known as Jamira and Main páts.
The important part played by these laterite caps as reservoirs for
water from which a perennial supply finds its way
Laterite a natural wa-
ol. into the valleys cannot be over-estimated. On
Neturhat, as stated above, the quantity is suflicient
to form a running stream, which traverses the centre of the basin.
On Gulgulpät there is a spring coincident with the boulders of trap
abovementioned, or 170 feet below the summit. It is not improbable
that it marks the line of junction between the permeable laterite and
impermeable trap.
The occurrence of water on these páts will give them great
value as sites for tea plantations when the country is opened up and
becomes more accessible.
SECTION 8.—SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS.
On the accompanying maps the positions of the principal deposits of
alluvial character, which conceal the underlying rocks, have been
indicated in writing. The thickness of these deposits in the basin of the
Koel is inconsiderable, but in the vieinity of the Kunhur there are
deposits of some magnitude, both as regards their vertical and
horizontal dimensions.
Kunkur occurs abundantly in a few localities, which are principally,
though not exclusively, on, or in close proximity
ru to, rocks of Talchir age. But the amount available
cannot be compared in abundance to the extraordinary rich deposits
| (51)
52 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
which oceur in the neighbourhood of the Daltonganj field, and which
have been remarked on by Mr. Hughes.
The oceurrence of caleareous tuff at Chunhut, on the east of the
Aurunga field, has already been alluded to when
describing the crystalline limestones which have
supplied the material of which it is formed. A similar deposit is found
in the river Mungurdaha at the foot of a waterfall near Kokaroh.
Limestones were also found in that neighbourhood.
Calcareous tuff.
The prineipal, or at least the most noteworthy, deposit of diluvial
origin in our area is a red sandy clay, which is directly derived from the
Mahadeva sandstones, and forms a belt of uneulturable land, much inter-
sected by ravines and surrounding the base of the
Mahadeva hills. Fallen tabular masses of the
ferruginous sandstone occur sometimes enveloped in this deposit; but
more eommonly, the result of erosion has been to isolate these masses and
leave them perched on columns of stiff clay which often stand out at
heights of ten feet or more above the general level of the country. The
tabular blocks are frequently from 200 to 300 cubie feet in solid content,
and when seen thus perched up above the low brush jungle present a very
Perched tabular blocks,
striking appearance.
Section 9.—FAULTS.
The great lines of fracture in our area, of whieh the faulted junctions
afford evidence, are by their compass-bearings resolvable into three
groups or systems. This arrangement, as will be seen, does not neces-
sarily imply synchronism. So classified, they would stand as follows :—
1. East to west faults.
9. North of east to south of west faults.
3. North of west to south of east faults.
1. East and west system.
Of east and west faults three have been clearly diseriminated by their
effects in the Aurunga field, and two in the Hutar field. The effect ofthe
southern pairin the Aurunga field has been to lower the Mahadevas to the
level of the Barákars, cutting out all but small remnants of the two
( 52 )
FAULTS. 53
intermediate groups (Raniganj and Panchet). 'They have in conjunction
with the great north-west south-east fault facilitated the upheaval of the
wedge-shaped areas of metamorphie rocks which give to the field, as
mapped, an appearance which, at first sight, might be thought to be
due to a huge fling and distortion of the field by the agency of the north-
west south-east fault alone. Owing to the fact that where the more
southern, east and west fault intercepts the north-west south-east one, and
similarly where the more northern of the pair intercepts the Latiahar and
Putkee fault, no lateral displacement in either case is discernible, the
question of relative ages becomes one of some
Relative ages. Me
difficulty. The balance of probability, however,
seems in favor of the north-west to south-east fracture having taken place
first, and that the rocks were simply vertically upheaved in the angles when
the east and west faulting took place. The other east-west fault of the
Aurunga field is that which forms a portion of the northern boundary
where it cuts off several patches of Barakars and is connected with the
hot spring at Jarum.
In the Hutar field one east and west fault has cut off the Barakars at
Morwaie, from whence westwards up to the Koel
Hutar field faults. EN) TERM
its course is indicated by fault rock and the hot
spring at Thatha. West ofthe Koel its existence is somewhat doubtful,
. but its line of strike coincides with the base of the scarp of the Doothoo
hills, and its existence there would help to account for a diminished
thickness of the Barakars south, as compared with those north of the hills,
The other east and west fault of this field is well marked near Binda,
where it has cut off the small patch of Talchirs and Barakars. Appa-
rently it is older than the neighbouring fault of the north of west to
south of east system.
2. North of east to south of west system.
The first example of this system to be mentioned is the one which
has flung the limestones described in section 1 of this chapter. Its course
from Pukree te Korean strikes 15° north of east to 15° south of west.
( 58 )
54 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
I have already given my reasons for believing that the fraeture took
place before the deposition of the Barakar rocks. |
| The next example of this system runs between Putkee and Antekhita,
forming the boundary at the extreme north-west prolongation of the
field. The fractured junctions between the Barakars and gneiss in the
Aurunga section clearly indieate the faulted character of this boundary.
The strike is 20? north of east to 20° south of west.
The last representative of this system which has yet been proved forms
the north-west boundary of the Hutar field, and is, it is believed, continuous
with the line of fracture marked by fault rock, wherefrom the Tatapani
hot springs take their rise. Where it forms the boundary of the field its
faulted character is elearly indieated by the fractured junctions and cut-
off patches in a series of cross-sections which are yielded by streams ;
its strike falls from 25° to 21°, north of east and south of west. There:
is nothing to indieate its relative age.
3. North of west to south of east system.
The first example of this system is the already deseribed fault which
bisects the Aurunga field. Its strike between Obur and Rukhant is
from 47° north of west to 47? south of east. At Obur it is deflected
about 179, so that the direction between Jarum and Obur is from 30?
north of west to 30? east of south. |
The next of this system is the one which runs from Putkee to
Latiahar; at several points it touches the bends of the Aurunga tangen-
tially, and its faulted character is clearly apparent; its strike is 27° to
22°, north of west and south of east.
The last fault of this system is the well-marked one which forms
the terminal western boundary of the Hutar field. Its strike is unusual,
being 60° north of west and south of east. Properly speaking, perhaps,
it ought to be classed by itself. From what I have seen of the meta-
morphic rocks I fully anticipate that their detailed examination will
result in the discovery of other lines of fracture, having strikes referable
to the above systems.
( 84 )
CHAPTER V.
AURUNGA COAL FIELD.
Stratigraphical Details.
What has been stated on previous pages, when read with the aid of
the aecompanying map, will probably be found sufficient to convey all
necessary information as to the general form and surroundings of this
field. There remain to be described, therefore, only the stratigraphical
details of the several rock groups which are represented.
The area of the field inclusive of outliers is exactly 97 square miles,
the different rock goups being exposed in the following proportions :—
Mahadeva series — 14/8 square miles.
Panchet group 103 ^ 25
Raniganz ,, 8:8 22 „
ВагаКат 5 58:5 > »
Talchir” d 45 7 =
97:0
SECTION I.—Tatcurr GROUP.
As has already been stated, rocks belonging to the Talchir group are
but sparingly represented in the Aurunga field. Except in the few in-
` stances about to be noted, the Barakars, where the boundary is natural,
rest directly on the gneiss, having completely overlapped the Talchirs,
which, it is to be presumed however, occupy the central and deeper part
of the basin.
Commeneing examination on the east, the first deposit of rocks of
CTalehirssouthofBalu. this age is exposed south of the village of Balu-
naggar. naggar near the road-crossing of the Sukri. The
section discloses a false-bedded Talchir conglomerate with some red
shales, the latter being perhaps of somewhat doubtful affinities. They
are immediately covered on the southern bank by typical Barakar grits
and pebble beds with white and pinkish clays.
(5)
56 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
To the west of this there are two short exposures of Talchir shales
in the bed of the river, which are interrupted by gneiss and partly over-
lapped by Barakars, which, farther on, completely conceal them. To the
east of the road-crossing after an interval in the bed of the Sukri where
no rocks are exposed, and at the junetion of the three streams which
combine to form that river, Talehir shales are again seen. In the
first of these streams a section of about 200 yards long is exposed.
The beds consist chiefly of yellow sandstones, but there are also some
shales; they rest naturally on gneiss, and are covered up in the
next three reaches of the southernmost tributary by sandstones, which
gradually assume a Barakar-like aspect. Gneiss then occupies the
section for about a quarter of a mile, after which the section dis-
closes a narrow strip of Talehirs, consisting of liver-coloured shales
and grey sandstones, with which a boulder bed of limited extent is
associated.
The total area of the Talchirs, at this north-east corner of the field
which are not concealed by overlapping Barakars probably does not
exceed a quarter of a square mile. "The precise extent is uncertain, owing
tothe boundary south of Balu-naggar being concealed by alluvium.
The maximum thiekness of Talchirs exposed in the above sections no-
where amounts to 100 feet.
Proceeding round the eastern edge of the field, in the Bagh Digwa
Red clays at base of Section north of Rampur, and at several of the
Баакы points of junction in the Ghugree, north-west
of Bhurla, there are red clays which may represent Talchirs ; but they
seem to be very intimately connected with the Barakar grits and sand-
stones,and are practically inseparable from them. On the south bound-
ary narrow marginal strips of Talchir shales and boulder bed oceur
at the base of the sections to east and west of Mungur. Similar, but
less distinetly seen, exposures occur in the bed of the Aurunga between
Hurkha and Bishunpur.
On the northern boundary of the field between Latiahar and Nowa-
dih, outside the east to west fault, there is a triangular-shaped area
( 56 )
AURUNGA FIELD: TALCHIR GROUP. 57
occupied by beds of somewhat anomalous character, and the deter-
Abnormal Talchirs at Mination of the age of which was a source of con-
Latiahar, siderable uncertainty to me.
The lithological characters are so unusual and peculiar that, until
I met with some rather similar rocks among the Talchir beds in the
narrow strip at the extreme end of the field, near Hosir, 1 was unable
to bring myself to believe that they should be relegated to that age.
At the base of the section near Nowadih there are yellow sandstones
exposed in the bed of the stream; these are overlaid by greyish yellow
shales with some gritty beds, including one which is calcareous and con-
tains small fragments of metamorphic rocks. With these shales there
are thin papery carbonaceous layers, which confer a most un-Talchir
aspect to the beds. The shales differ from ordinary Talchirs in being
more fibrous and in seldom shewing the characteristic concentric struc-
ture and splintery fracture. In some respects they resemble more nearly
certain beds which, in this area, have been referred to the Raniganj
group, but the stratigraphical relations are such as to render it impossi-
ble to refer them to any group younger than Barakars.
They rest directly on the gneiss and dip steadily southwards towards
the fault, the Barakars having the same general direction, modified by
anticlinal rolls on the other side of it.
The occurrence of distinetly visible carbonaceous matter in rocks of
Talchir age is not unprecedented, as I have already recorded a case which
I met with in Sirguja, where there was actually a thin layer of coal of
very inferior quality.
On the whole, it seems impossible to classify these rocks otherwise
than as being Talehirs. The existence or non-existence of a fault does
not materially affect the case, as from the dips the beds on the north
must be older than those on the south.
South of the indicated line of fault whieh probably had a very slight
downthrow here, the rocks, up to the foot of the hills, are much obscured
by alluvium. This is particularly unfortunate, as the neighbourhood of
Dow)
58 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Latiahar isone where the relations of the beds is very intricate, and where
a few really clear and unmistakable sections would be of great importance.
The last area of Talchirs in direct contact with the field forms a
marginal strip of varying width, whieh extends
along the south-west border of the field for about
9 miles from Godinan to beyond Hosir. Within its limits at Ledopali
Talchirs at Bindee.
and Bindee there are two inliers of metamorphic rocks whose boundaries,
though not very clearly exposed, owing to superficial deposits, cannot be
very widely different from those indicated on the map. North of Bindee
the Barakars appear to rest directly on gneiss without the intervention
of any Talchirs. The Talchirs throughout this strip consist principally
of shales and boulder beds, sandstones being less common.
At Hosir, as already mentioned, occur the sandy and fibrous shales
К already alluded to as being similar to Ње anoma-
Talchirs at Hosir.
lous rocks at Latiahar. Here they occur on the
same line of strike and in intimate association with distinet Talehir
shales and boulder bed, leaving no doubt as to the horizon to whieh
they should be referred. "There is a good deal of disturbance all along
the line of junction with the gneiss, the shales often dipping at augles of
from 60° to 90°. I failed to detect any faulted contacts, and it
seems most probable that this disturbance should be referred to the
effects of the lateral erush which would naturally follow from the faulting
of the Barakars on the north boundary of the field.
At the same time it is possible that there may be a continuation of
the northern of the Latiahar pair of east and west faults im the gneiss
of this neighbourhood.
Outliers.—Detached from the main area of the field, but in its
immediate vieinity, there are two outliers, in which representatives of the
Talchir group occur.
The first of these consists of a narrow belt in broken continuation
n ipud with the abovementioned marginal strip which is
utlier beyond Hosir. í {
prolonged beyond the Barakars at Hosir. This
( 58 )
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP, 59
belt strikes in a south-westerly direction from Oopag for about 2j
miles towards Huratu. It is well exposed in section in the Jelma river,
and consists of shales, sandstones and a strongly-developed boulder bed.
These in places are a good deal disturbed and erushed, but I saw no
clear indication of any faulting having taken place.
The second outlier is situated to the north of Nowagarh. The
Outlier north of character of the Talchirs here is best seen in a
Nowagarh. section which is exposed for about half a mile in
the bed of the Sotapani between the villages of Kotilwa and Heslah.
The rocks chiefly consist of soft yellow sandstones, which rather closely
resemble those of Raniganj-age, and yellow shales. At Topo, and thence
eastwards, they are covered up by the pebble conglomerates, and are
overlapped by them, as they do not reappear along any other part of the
boundaries of this outlier.
SECTION 2.—DARAKAR GROUP.
The rocks of Barakar age within the limits of the Aurunga field
occupy several praetieally detached areas (the intervals being covered
by younger rocks) which ean be most conveniently described separately.
These areas, therefore, will be taken up as they occur from east to west,
or as they would be encountered by any one entering the valley of the
Aurunga from Balumath. The shape of the first of these, which lies
on the north-east, and from which a prolongation margins the field
on the north, is too irregular to be intelligibly deseribed, but with the
accompanying map before the reader any such explanation is scarcely
necessary. !
The first section to be described is that which is exposed in the
Section in northern POrthern branch of the Sukri south of Balu-
branch of Sukri. naggar. Already the character of the beds seen
at the road-erossing has been alluded to in describing the Talehirs. "The
conglomerates and white and pinkish clays extend thence eastward into
the highlands where, in the neighbourhood of the already-described
ridge of fault rock at Korean, they are locally much disturbed, dipping
( 59 )
60 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
at an angle of 40° to north. Farther east they rest on the limestones and
other erystalline rocks. To the west of the road crossing, at a distance
of rather more than half a mile, the section in the Sukri diseloses
a lenticular mass of decomposed coaly shale resting on about four feet
of blue, pink and yellow shales, and covered by twenty feet of fine white
. sandstone.
Atthiekest, the coaly shale is 2 feet 4 inches, with a rolling dip.
| Beyond this the section alternately discloses
Section east of Mooroop. 2 п i 5
. Barakars, Talchirs and gneiss up to the point where
the stream crosses the boundary, and does not re-enter the coal measures
again until a point east of Mooroop is reached, where there is a section
as follows :—
Gneiss.
Grits with quartz pebbles, dip 15° S. W.
Inside the boundary, on the east side of the river, gneiss is exposed for 30
yards or so, and the contact is clearly natural.
Overlying these bottom beds there are white and grey clays, dip 25^ south.
Interval.
Sandstones, dip 20? S.
The map is here wanting in detail, as it does not represent a very
decided loop bend in the river, in which flaggy, somewhat ferruginous,
shales are ex posed.
These beds possibly represent the Kolherwan ironstone zone to be
бойун ы ede ae presently described. Although the imperfection of
by fault, the section prevents its being traced, it is most
probable that close by here runs the continuation of an east to west fault,
which is wellseen in the west. And it is possible that to the cutting out
by this fault may be attributed the absence in this section of the Rajbar
eoaly zone, which is deseribed below.
The flaggy beds are followed by sandstones with their carbonaceous
shales. "These, east of Mungra, are covered by
Raniganj beds. : c
soft fine-grained yellow sandstones, which must be
referred to the Raniganj group. |
( 60 )
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 61
In the neighbourhood of Kolherwan occurs the above-alluded to zone
Ironstones at Kolher.‘ OË Shales and ironstones. The latter are dissemi-
wan. nated rather sparsely in beds 2 to 3 inches thick,
through perhaps 30 feet of grey sandy shales which rest on blue
concretionary shales. Such is the section seen south of Patratu beyond
which the extension is obscure, possibly the ironstones die out. At
Lejang there are ripple-marked sandstones forming a small hill, dip 20°
S.-W. Throughout a considerable portion of this neighbourhood, con-
cretionary nodules of iron, weathered out from the sandstones and grits,
strew the surface in great abundance.
In the southern branch of the Sukri? at Pukrar, the junction of the
DUE! coverlap "of Raniganjes with the Barakars appears to indicate
Raniganjes. internal overlap in the former. In the north to
south reach near the village the yellow sandstones dip steadily south at
angles rising to 40°. Suddenly then at the village there is a roll which
brings up Barakar sandstones with carbonaceous shale, the base of which
is slightly eoaly. There is nosign of any faulting, and the peculiarity
of the section seems to be due to the topmost beds of the yellow
(Raniganj) sandstone overlapping all below, thus resting directly on the
Barakars. About half a mile east of Pukrar the section discloses some
E light-coloured sandstones and shaly beds, which are,
Raniganj outlier. i 3
| I think, referable to the Raniganj group ; they rest
detached in a distinet synelinal of Barakar beds, and therefore constitute
an out-ler. Proceeding eastwards, grits and sandstones with dip of 5° are
underlaid by shales with poorly developed ironstone, which may possibly
represent the Kolherwan zone. In the next reach south-west of Lejang,
we meet the following section :—
Section, descending, dip W. and W.-8.-W.
Grit . А í Pa 67
Grey shales . = . à ; Ее ve Al 0
E
a Whether there exist distinctive names for all the different streams which combine
to form the Sukri I cannot say; it is most probable that there are, but the guides with me
certainly applied the name Sukri both to the one south of Balu-naggar and that under
description,
) 61)
62 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Brought forward à o : BOX
Flaky sandstone . А : . : - Een bes!
Grey shales . . : : : . : ОК
Sandstone . - : : ; : : : 10"
Grey shales o : Mat j . СТИ
Sandstone . . : : 5 - ò o ae
Blue and black shale | £u
coaly towards base
Sandy shale : А . : с : : 3"
Blue shale . 1 =» : : : 10190 167
Sandstone . E : : . : : : 8"
Grey shales : Е . : : weil i di
Seam—
Coal, decomposed . : . : 3
Parting 5 : : 5 o 1”
Coal, decomposed . А : CRETA
Grey and blue shales б 3 cae OE
Coal : : : - 5 5 24
Carbonaceous shale, coaly З э 6"
Grey shale N : : : : 2"
Carbonaceous shale, coal . -œ е 10"
Blue shale : : 5 - ЖК Кей
Coal EEE КВ ЕТЕ 3”
Carbonaceous shale, coaly с E ES
— T
32*- 1%
Below this there are four bands of carbonaceous shale ranging from
one to two feet in thickness. The lowest includes about one foot of
poor flaky coal. Another lower seam includes about six inches of coal. In
the next reach the beds locally bend round by south to east, and some of
the carbonaceous shales are repeated. This seam, or, to speak more cor-
rectly, this zone of seams and earbonaceous shales, is again exposed north
of Rajbar, whence it follows much the same course asthe bed of the
stream. Ву interpolation it has here so increased in dimensions that it
is nearly a mile wide south of Kolherwan.
( 6$ )
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 63
The following is the section of the beds measured in the reaches east of
Rajbar :—
Section, descending, dip rolling S. W. 7?
` South bank of river.
Surface soil.
Synelinal—
1. Thin sandstone and sandy shale 5 à : oma
2. Carbonaceous shale, coaly . 1 А р : : 2
3. Same as No.1 . : : : : ; - 4) aM S^
4. Blue and grey concretionary shale . - : SA
5. Coal . 1“
6. Same as 4, but more carbonaceous in places : o
7. Sandy bed, lenticular, maximum Я : ; ME MTS A
8. Same as 4. : : ; ; 4 А , 3 0
9. Sandy concretionary bed with ironstone . - arr
10. Seam— |
Consisting of carbonaceous shales, 72 feet at 10° 2 1215687
11. Sandstones with concretionary ironstones . ; 5
12. Seam—
(a), Carbonaceous shales, much concealed, 23 feet at 10° 4 O”
(b). Coal, good с ; 4 У AY
(c). Similar to (а) with sandstone interpolations, 26
at 10° 6"
(d). Coal, lower part very ferruginous . ; ak 397
North bank of river— ;
13. Sandstone, with ironstone, about 5 y А . 5" ov
14. Seam—
Carbonaceous shales with occasional layers of good
coal up to 4”, and of inferior flaky coal up to 1'—
195' at 25° . c : o 83’ 0
15. Sandstones with shales alternating, dip. 25° falling to
15°, say 58’ at 20% , ; А : А Ton ON
16. Seam—
Coaly shale . . 5 : A TUO
Flaky coal, decomposed, : Д 6"
Sandy and concretionary shale . 2' 4^
Coal, poor SUN ik : y AA
Concretionary shale . . el;
Coal . > A: = 2
um. Oy
zo 164 e
( 63 )
64 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Brought forward SS e : : 164 6”
17. Shales ; 2 А ; д : : y rl
18. Sandstone, say . . . і : 3 ae. uw ДО
* 19. Seam, badly seen—
Upper half apparently fair coal, 50’ at 15° . < 12 102
South bank—
20. Sandstones i 5 5 5 н ; ‘ ENT
5 21. Seam similar to No. 14, 80 at 15° W.-S.-W . .21' Y
. 92. Sandstone - н a ; à ; $ seat
23. Seam, also similar to No. 14, 70' at 10° . 5 ; 19 79
24. Sandstone . . 5 : : : : s : 8"
25. Carbonaceous shales passing into blue shales . Ol
26. Sandstones and carbonaceous shales about 40’ at 10” . 6' 10°
> 27. Seam—
Contains thin bands of coal alternating with shale
140' at 10? i А : ) : А . 24 6”
271' 8
Strong interpolations of sandstones modify the character of this last
Coal zone dies out to SCAM in its further extension towards Burwa toleh,
south-east. The contrasts afforded by it as seen in section on
either side of the river are very striking. Along the same line of strike
to south-east I could find no further trace of these carbonaceous beds,
and it seems probable that they die out.
Before reviewing the above, it will be well to give an account of the
sections which flank this zone. North of Rajbar in the Bunora stream
there is a broken section of some of the above as well also as of some
lower measures. Being seen dry, instead of sodden with water, as is the
case in the Sukri section, it is easier to form an opinion as to the quality
of the seams. Coal is only seen in rare bands, the thickest of which
does not exceed one foot.
In the Seruk stream which runs south of Rajbar and which joins the
Sukri beyond Jorean, the section exposes at the base, resting on gneiss,
sandstones and white shales, with a dip of 20° to west. These are
a A sample from this seam contained only 22:8 per cent. of fixed carbon, with 50°3 of
ash.
* Vide Table of Assays.
( 64 )
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 65
overlaid by grits, sandstones, and blue and grey shales. At Hureyakur,
ironstones, of which we shall have more to say presently, are seen in the
banks of the stream. Soon, by interpolation, the highest beds of the
carbonaceous zone make their appearance, and steadily increase in dimen-
sions, and vary in character as we proceed down stream in a north-west
TER O E ин direction. There are, at least, three distinct seams
near Jornean with low rolling dip to south-west»
- To the north-west of Jornean again there are two more, the position of
which with regard to the ironstones about to be described is uncertain,
owing to the complieations of the stratigraphical sequence arising from
` extensive interpolation,
Overlying the carbonaceous zone is a band of shales, with ironstones,
which form a very marked north-west to south-east
Ironstones south of
ајаг ridge for a distance of nearly two miles. From а
section afforded by a stream south of the ridge, I am
inclined to believe that, as a maximum, the ironstones are about 10 per cent.
of the whole thickness of this zone. The actual thickness of the zone
is somewhat doubtful, but as the average dip of the shales is about 5°,
200 feet is, I think, a fair estimate, so that where thickest there is prob-
ably a total of 20 feet of ironstones. At first sight, owing to the fact that
the conservation of the ridge has been due to the presence of the iron-
stones, and that fragments of ironstone strew the surface in great abund-
ance, it might be thought that the above was an under estimate, but
I believe it to be a most liberal one. Now, as to lateral extension: to-
wards the south-east the ironstones, like the carbonaceous shales, appear to
die out rapidly. To the north-west at Jornean the ironstones are locally
elevated into an anticlinal; their further prolongation is doubtful;
a sharp turn to north of Jornean would bring them into connec-
tion with the zone at Kolherwan, but the occurrence of the seams
‘north-west of Jornean renders it probable that these are continued
and die out in the direction of Timkee, and that therefore the two
zones are really distinct, being interpolated at slightly different
horizons.
| (35 y.
66 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AUPUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Altogether it may be confidently asserted that there is a plentiful
| supply of оге in this neighbourhood, which, as the
Sn] ада, anal dip is only 5° and less, might be easily worked.
The quality of the ore too is satisfactory, a fair
sample having yielded on assay 49:2 per cent. of metalheiron. So simi-
lar in appearance are these ironstone shales to the group of that name
in the eastern fields, that it might easily be supposed that they are of the
same age. The occurrence of Barakar sandstones, &e., however, higher
in the sequence, indicates their true position beyond a doubt. Somewhat
similar ironstones occur with the Barakars on the east of the Karanpura
field. The true Ironstone Shale group I believe to
same Бра BOND be wholly unrepresented in the Aurunga field and
its outliers. In one of the latter, as will be shewn,
these Barakar ironstones are likewise strongly developed, forming a very
important deposit,
We have then in tolerably close proximity to Rajbar coal, ironstone,
and limestone (vide map). The quality of the two latter has already
been described. Regarding the coal it will be necessary here to say
a few words in anticipation of the fuller account which will be found in
the chapter on the economie resources. The extent of the carbonaceous
deposits here exposed could scarcely fail to attract the notice of a passer-
by, and a vast supply of coal might be thought to exist; close examina-
tion soon reveals the poverty of the seams, and the
s of inferior qua- assays which I have made of some of the best look-
ing bands of coal have fully confirmed the unfavor-
able opinion whieh I formed in the field. At the same time I do
not wholly despair of the existence of tolerable coal in workable
thicknesses; but that coal suitable for iron-smelüng will ever be
found in this neighbourhood is, I regret to say, scarcely to be hoped for.
A pit near the river bank east of Rajbar might easily be sunk to test
these seams thoroughly. It is to be hoped that
Trial pit. UN
such may be done before any final conclusion is
arrived at.
( 66 )
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP, 67
Between Goortoor and Dunria, along the eastern boundary, the rocks
Rocks on eastern 218 chiefly hill-forming conglomerates, with angular
margin of field. quartz, a small inlier of gneiss being surrounded
by these beds. Ironstone concretions, weathered out on the surface, are
here likewise very abundant. At Dunria the position of the bound-
ary is somewhat doubtful. Between Dunria and Renchee I saw no
sign of the carbonaceous zone. South of Renchee at the road-crossing,
` we have on the east Barakar grits, and on the west soft sandy beds of
uncertain character, probably Raniganjes; beyond them come in grits
which probably belong to the Panchets, but the position of the Rani-
ganj-Panchet boundary is here somewhat uncertain.
In the neighbourhood of Rampur a series of streams afford a
number of sections which throw much light on
Sections at Rampur. : А
the geology. South of the village there is а well-
marked faulted junction between the gneiss and some grits and shales
which dip north at 20." In the bed of a tank the beds appear to be nearly
vertieal. The fault strikes nearly due west from hence towards the
Juggulduega hills, and with the aid of a north-west to south-east fault,
has eut a wedge-shaped area out of the field. "The sole evidence of the
former existence of the Barakars is afforded by a small outlying patch at
Reharee which rests on the upheaved gneiss.
In the Bagh-digwa stream north of Rampur the bottom bed is a
red arkose, upon which rest sandstone, gritsand shales with dip of 35°
tosouth-west. Following this stream westwards Barakar, sandstones are
met with dipping in various directions. As the village of Hoochloo is
reached, a tolerably continuous section is exposed, carbonaceous shales with
portions slightly coaly dip south-west at 40”. Above these are sandstones
and a few thin bands of ironstones, the quality of which is probably equal
to that of the Rajbar ironstones. These are soon covered by rocks which
must be referred to the Raniganj group, and are thus separated from the
area of Barakars exposed to the south-east of Jugguldugga. We pass there-
fore again to the northern boundary, to describe the sections near Toobed, _
before entering upon an account of the Barakars on the south of the field
BOT.)
68 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
North-west of Toobed, in the bed of the Sukri, there are the already
mentioned sandy gneisses striking east-north-
Section at Toobed.
east,and 35? north of east; these have been eut
into a deep gorge by the river, elose to the mouth of which they are
overlaid by red and white shales, after which follow a number of seams
with dip to east. If not cut off by the east and west fault as is represented,
we should here have evidence of great unconformity between these beds
and the Raniganjes, but the fault, as will presently be shown, 1s very
distinetly marked. The following descending section was measured
in the reaches of the Sukri to east and north of the village of
Toobed; though extending from the sandstones of Raniganj age to the
gneiss, it is of no use as an absolute measure of thickness, as some
beds of the Barakar sequence have certainly been cut out by the
fault :—
Descending Section in the Sukri at Toobed.
Sandstones (Raniganj).
Interval, wherein the fault probably occurs.
Blue and carbonaceous shales with sandstones, perhaps
150'in all but rolling and, where repeated, dip-
North bank E.-S.-E. 10°.
Section—
I Grit Sandstone. wa, ИБ
2. Blue shales and sandstones, very variable. 2 10%
3. Coal A Ae ims Жа Sep БЫШ 3"
10. Yellow and white shales . А Е NI Aa),
68 )
4. Same as No. 2, about А : : 5 É . 15
5. Seam, shaly coal, dip S.-E. 10° < 15°. . МТО;
6. Sandstones and shales . ; M. TARA
PS ыг Ta Seam, 850! at say bres eru Li о У ЛИШИ
SUE This seam, nearly flat in places, certainly contains
stream. some fair coal, but owing to its sodden decom-
posed condition it is impossible to give details.
Dip changes from S.-E. to E.-S.-E. z
8. Shales . - à 5 а Ps idein ос
North bank | 9. Seam, covered, about 100' at 5° = . : h NU
(
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUT. 69
11. Seam, 8! vertical, 110' at 15° Е. = 36° 6
contains about ¿th of burnable coal, separated in
North of bands, none of which exceeds one foot in thickness.
2nd stream. | 19, Blue and white shales, 150' at 8° — M ae . 90' 10"
13. Red and yellow shales resting naturally on . MI
Gneiss, vertical, strike 35° north of east.
Samples of the coal in Nos. 5 and 11 have yielded on assay but
` poor results, the percentages of ash being respectively 34-6 and 25'6.^
In the streams to the north of this section the beds are somewhat
better seen, and the poor shaly character of the seams is more clearly
apparent than where they are sodden with water in the bed of the Sukri,
Here too I am forced to state my belief that there is not much prospect of
a really good quality of coal being found in sufficient quantity to be mined
with profit. Proceeding westwards along the bed of the Sukri, the section
passes abruptly from the above-mentioned gneissose
Er u section west rocks into a narrow zone of intensely tilted ripple-
marked sandstones with carbonaceous shales, which
are seen tobe in vertical faulted contact with the gneiss in several junctions
exhibited in the small tributary streams. In the Sukri itself the ripple-
marked beds dip 55° to south and south-south-west, and are covered up im-
mediately by yellow sandstones and some blue, slightly carbonaceous shales
belonging to the Raniganj group. Just beyond the village of Bandudag the
Barakars are completely cut out by a fault, but immediately reappear with
some Raniganjes in a cut-off patch, to the north of the fault,—vzde map.
The section of this cut-off patch west of Bandudag is particularly
well seen in the Sukri, and exhibits a peculiarly interesting piece of
geological structure. Underlying the yellow Raniganj beds, there is in
the first section a very narrow belt of nearly vertical grits with red clays
in natural contact with the gneiss. These are,
Т an west therefore, the bottom beds and represent, in this
partieular spot, the whole thickness of Barakur
a Vide Table of Assays in chapter VII,
70 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
peds, which, it is needless to observe, have very much thinned out. Pass-
ing the loop bend oceupied by metamorphie rocks, the next section of the
Barakars is in the vieinity of the mouth of the Katari, where there is a
seam, not very well seen, which is overlaid by sandstones and grits, and
these, within a short distance, by the yellow sandstones of the Raniganj
group. Under this seam are some red beds which, in one spot on the
south bank, rest on decomposed gneiss, and for a short distance the june-
tions with the gneiss are very irregular, the sections of the bottom beds
on either bank of the river exhibiting striking contrasts.
In the next reach, from south to north, the following section is met
with :—
Section in loop bend of Sukri north of Manjhar, dip to south, and 10° east
of south (descending).
(1). White shales and grit with one 4-inch band of coal
about centre . MA D HE ILI wine, ۰. 10
(2). Seam—
Does not appear to contain any good coal, but is much
decomposed, dip) 308 es
(3). Blue and white shales, 70' at 30° = . : : » 90: 102
(4). Seam—
Consists of alternating thicknesses of concretionary
shale and papery coal of from 2” to 8”, the latter
about one-third of the whole thickness, 18' at
яй == RAI: EN ОРУ: 2 195 RO
(5). Mottled and concretionary shales, portions passing
into grit, 17' at 30° = Е : ; i . 8 67
(6). Blue (carbonaceous), white and mottled pink, concre-
tionary shales, 83 at 17° = . AO
(7). Similar beds, more carbonaceous in places, 100’ at 20°— 34 2!
There is a transverse slip in the above beds which does
not, however, affect the above measurement.
(8). Mottled grits passing into shales, 32’ at 25° = . . 13 6"
(9). Carbonaceous shale, seen . : E : MP PC UD)
(10). Intervall20'at25? = . "Edda. : : 00 7”
Cr)
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 11
(11). Same as 8 , А К ; O, 107
(12). Red (liver- оне) апд pears ae 100 at 25° . 88 7”
Gneiss д
300' 6"
If 50 feet are added to the above, the total, 350 feet, will give as near
as possible the maximum thickness of Barakars cut off north of the fault.
The minimum thickness probably does not exceed 20 feet.
It may be that these liver-coloured clays, No. 12 of section, represent
Talchirs. Though occurring at most of the natural junctions, they are
nowhere so well developed as in this section. In some cases they
occur not actually as bottom beds, but are underlaid by sandstones or
grits, which seem properly referable to Barakars. "Though it is true
they are somewhat an unusual form of rock to meet with in Barakars,
they differ from Talchirs both in texture and mode of fracture.
The last section of these rocks whieh is seen in the Sukri, though
short, is a very interesting one, as it affords
A um at intersection evidence of the intersection of the two faults at
the precise spot where from their directions further
east it was concluded that they would meet. In the angle included
between them, the Raniganjes are let down in a V-shaped trough, a seam
of carbonaceous shale, which is clearly seen on the south side of the V, is
cut out by the east to west fault on the north, and the edges of the
beds brought into contact with those of the cut-off Barakars.
The next areas of Barakars to be described are those which occur
to the south-east of Pochra, and are included in
rg south-east of the angle formed between the northern of the pair
of Latiahar east-west faults, and the great north-
west south-east fault. The rocks mainly consist of coarse grits with a
large amount of coneretionary ironstones. In the raviney ground south
of Subano, the streams shew indications of the existence of a patch of
Raniganjes eut off by the fault. As near as possible the limits of this
patch are given on the map, but the relations are not very clear. The
CEA )
12 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
faulted junction is clearly seen in the streams south-west of Subano,
where the coarse grits are in contact with the greenish Panchet sand-
stones. The general form and position of these areas will be best
understood by reference to the map. |
Resuming description close to where the Barakars were described as
Ar being covered up by the higher groups near
Hochloo,in the region lying to the south-east of
Jugguldugga, the first section to be mentioned is that afforded by the
Ghugri. In this river between Rukhunt and a point south of Sukri
the rocks are, for the most part, concealed by alluvium, and the precise
position of the boundaries is somewhat uncertain in consequence, but
they cannot be very different from what is represented. South of
Kurmahi the effects of the great north-west south-east fault are marked
by the steep and abrupt tilting away from it of some sandstones, grits
and shales which dip at angles of 50° to 70° to south and south-south
west,
A little to the west of north of Bhurla the river has cut a deep —
gorge through massive sandstones and grits which
of сорс mon of west dip to north-east and north-north-east at angles
of from 20° to 30° A little farther on, north of
Nowatolah, the boundary strikes a loop bend tangentially, and a section
is disclosed shewing a massive pebbly grit resting with original contact
on the face of thin purple sandy gneiss. After this the river runs with
the line of junction of contorted gneiss with south-east dip, exposed
on the south bank, and sandstones dipping away on the north.
Beyond this about seven bands of carbonaceous shales appear by
interpolation. They do not include any coal. Several very pretty
natural junctions which have been affected by lateral thrust are then
met with at intervals, but the detailed description of which would occupy
too much space here, It must suffice to allude to one only. This is
where the boundary erosses the Aurunga river north of its junction
with the Ghugri.
a)
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 18
The difficulty about this section is to ascertain sharply the line of
Junction between the decomposed metamorphie beds
and the sandstones, &e., which are largely formed
of gneissose materials. On the right of the section a massive pebble
bed rests on the edges of the disturbed and decomposed gneiss, while on
the left red clays and white and ferruginous grits with much false
Section in Aurunga.
bedding occur next the gneiss.
In the next reach we meet with the following well exposed sec-
tion, the dip throughout being 4. p. north :—
Ascending section in Aurunga River, south-east of Jugguldugga.
(Gneiss partly epidotic and decomposed ; might be mistaken for Talchirs.)
1. Coarse grits, with shales, strike east-west q. p. . 100 OF
2. Decomposed carbonaceous shale (details not seen), |
50’ at 65°= . . : 2 s : 4.4% 4509
3. Shales and thin sandstones, with some carbonaceous
shale, much covered, 100' at 65° > 35= . те 97
4. Sandstones and grits, 120' at 35° < 55°= : 1 84 9"
5. Decomposed carbonaceous shale, say . JA 3 Of
6. Grits, 60! at 45°= CAESA N AR DU Pp VAD S
7. Interval, 40' at 50°= . +. 900167
8. Decomposed carbonaceous shale, 33! at 55°— e A Ду
9. Thin false-bedded sandstones, with blue ا 50
аброй ==. i : : 2 : É р 39! 7"
10. Coarse grits, with interbedded shaly sandstones,
none: E ARE arg s A A OP
11. Sandstones, 44' at 60° >50 = . E : > alla“
12. Same as No. 9, 71' at 60— . . ЕЛИ
13. Decomposed carbonaceous shale, 23! at 60 OOO
14. Interval, bed of river, 120' at 60° >50= . : 98' 3"
15. Sandstone and grit An Na Tp Cie zo a de c e 0
16. Seam, including 1' 6” of coal : : * : 8 of
17. Shales and sandstones, 100 at 60° = . . . 86 yw
18. Thin sandstone with carbonaceous and blue shales
alternating, 150' at 50° — У ael AIO
19. Seam, includes thin layers of coal : : . 80%
20. Similar to 18, but less carbonaceous, 200 at 50° =, 153 Y
| 19. }
74 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
21. Interval in bed of river, 100' at 50° > 35° = . 68 0”
22. White sandstones and grits, with blue shales, say . 50' 0”
MÀ
Total Р i А . 1,195’ 10"
The beds included in No. 22 might pass for Raniganjes, but in the
Maximum thiekness o£ high ground north of river there are grits and
Ban ironstones, higher in the sequence, which are, I
think, clearly of Barakar age. If we add for these higher beds 300 feet,
a most liberal allowance, the total thickness would amount to something
under 1,500 feet,
In succeeding sections of the narrowing Barakar zone there is clearly
no room for the full thickness above given, and here there is no trace of
the overlying yellow beds, which may overlap in the sections measured
below; but this would not account for the fact that between these beds
(No. 22) ‚where last seen, and the gneiss, there is not room for more than 200
Thickness in other sec». feet as against about 1,000. This indicates great
tions. thinning out and internal overlap ; in fact, in the
succeeding sections the carbonaceous zone is scarcely represented. But
the sections below measure 256’ 7”, rising to 559” 4" as we proceed
eastward, and shew a decided tendeney in the beds to recover this lost
thickness. The thinning out of the carbonaceous zone here resembles
its disappearance south-east of Rajbar.
Some of the decomposed seams may contain coal, but their appear-
ance is not promising, and as their dip averages 60°, their economie
importance is slight.
The sections above alluded to are as follows :—
Section in west reach of loop, south-west of Jugguldugga.
(Gneiss seen on south bank of river.)
1. Bed of river, rocks concealed, say . P E г 70 0”
2. Sandstones, shales and grits, 135’ at 70°= | „ЛО
3. Massive grit, dip 65° SERRE. ER ie МИК ШЕ 9 0
4. Seam, decomposed . . . : - 10° 07
5. Grits and shales, 60' at 65° > 50°= E E E T
Total Pn E el 7
— ——
(85)
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP, 15
Resting on the above are soft white sandstones with shales
and grit. These seem to belong to the upper group
(Raniganj). Their junction is disturbed by a roll.
ШШК asso MM E RR З
Section in reach north of Jaloom (Zalim.).
Gneiss, dip 70° . . . .
f 1. Massive grit, 1 foot 8 at the er 90' at 45°
| NAN GW c А ог
# | 2. Grits, with blue shales, 80’ at EN КА e
"5 4 8. Same, 100’ at 65°= E 3 90 А
E | 4. Grits, with sandstones and rm eM 950° at 55° 204 8”
| 5. Concealed, 300 at 30— . . . . . . 180 0
L 6. Grits . A x Apacs : ^ : 33 392: 099 0
Total ; " : Je saa 4a
( 7. Yellow sandstones, false-bedded, 280' at 20°— . udn 87,
: | 8. Yellow sandstones, with lenticular calcareous sand-
E | stones and carbonaceous shale at base, 300' at 30°—= 150!
E? | 9. Sandstones and carbonaceous shales А : : 12' 10”
3 4 10. Coal NOD: ; 3 : А : й ay
> | 11. Same as 9 5 : 5 : : 3 А à 12 10
E m ШЕЙ SCRE ig ar а M U
£ | Fault (?)
(1s. Grit 10° N.-N.-W. . o : - - 6 à 15 0
Total : 5 с a ӨТ DY
Section in Bagh Digwa River, east of Jugguldugga Hills.
Red and green clays and white sandstones; Dip, 25° south-west (Panchets).
Yellow massive grit sandstone; Dip, 20° south (Mahadevas).
Fault, no junction seen.
Barakars (descending).
1. Thin sandstones and blue shales, N.-N.-W. 15? . BEY CA
2. Seam—
(a). Blue shales ; : : ; I (n
(5). Papery coal ue. ; 5 à 3
vw.)
76 s BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
(c). Elue shales 2 5 : е A uA,
(9). Bapenyseoal nay OPNS 2
(e). Blue shales 1 4 : DIT AL AL
(f). Coal . SUBIT - Е : ; 6"
(д). Carbonaceous shale . MeL MARE 10"
(A) Blue shale, with coaly layers . . 6 O’
3. Sandstone, ferruginous at top . -> - : SANE QI
4. Blue shales and white sandstones, base concealed, dip; i
NW. LOL заў Е Кр ЛАО
Total y : А . 58 11
In the next reach the above beds, modified in character and relative
thickness, are again seen. The coaly portions, which are better ex-
posed, are in mere strings.
In the reach again next following there is further modification, No. 4,
is reduced to about 4' 6”, and consists chiefly of blue shales and coal,
alternating every 3 or 4 inches.
Brought forward . : 5 Я я ; : PONI dU
Grits, dip W. N. W. 15° . А A : : Я Or O
Blue sands and carbonaceous grit . : РАИ
Total i ; А . 66 iat
In next reach we find the junction with the Borasukwa stream
where Nos. 1 and 9 are repeated, No. 1 being thicker and more varied in
charaeter, including massive sandstones and thin layers of carbonaceous
shale, and No. 2 slightly more coaly, dip 10? to 30? west of north.
In the reach next beyond the junction these shales include one band
of coal 1’ 6” ;? besides this there are several thinner seams with varying
thickness of coal. |
a Table of. Assays of Coal in chapter VII.
( 76 ) |
AURUNGA FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 17
So great is the difference in appearance in this part of the section,
that it is difficult to regard it as representing the same horizon as that
to which Nos, 1 and 2 belong. As No. 1 is not really the highest bed,
but only apparently so in consequence of the faulted junction with the
Mahadevas, it follows that we get higher beds to the dip.
The section of these in the next reach, dip, 15°, to 30° west of north,
is, (ascending) —
(a). Carbonaceous shales, with coaly layers . . .30' 0
(6). Sandstone, parting . : д А ? 5 Meet ee
(c). Same as (a) Тт, о dara See Mode: АО а
(d). White sandstones . E E é E : . 25 OF
The descending section is again resumed in the reach beyond the
junction with the Sukri stream: sandstones, N.-N.-W. at 60°. These
correspond to No. 10 of the Aurunga section on p. 73, so that the
modifying effects produced by interpolation receive further illustration
here by comparison of the beds in the two sections which have been
measured above that horizon.
Although I shall have to mention some seams which occur in the
ne country further west, this is the last strong devel-
bonaceous zone, opment of the carboniferous zone in the Aurunga
field. It does not, I am sorry to say, give any better, indeed not even so
good a promise, as did the Rajbar section, of including any valuable
seams.
The next area to be described is that which lies west of Jaloom or
Zalim, and is traversed in part by the Gowa and Aurunga rivers. The
| section in the Gowa river is not very perfect ; there
Area west of Zalim. :
are a number of seams of earbonaceous shales
parted by sandstones ; some of these contain coaly layers, but none are
clearly exposed. One fragment of loose coal 3 inches thick was bright and
of excellent quality, but I failed to find the source. The dips of
these seams average 10° to north, but in places they roll a good
deal.
(77 )
78 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
They are not likely to include a workable thickness of coal, but
SEE Пу ordo should it ever be desired to test them, a boring or
value. trial pit west of the village of Gowa would prove
their quality.
In the Ghotwa river some thin carbonaceous shales occur, resting.
immediately on a narrow marginal zone of Talchirs.
At Hurkha there is a loeal development of ironstones of no great
extent.
The bed of the Aurunga up to Dhudwa is frequently traversed by
the boundary. In several eases the lowest beds
Section in Aurunga. $ :
are yellowish sandstones, apparently Talchirs.
The sections of Barakar sandstones offer no particular points for note,
save that anticlinal and synclinal rolls are very abundant. The map
will serve to explain the nature of the faulted junction, shewing how
the Mahadevas have been let down into contact with the three older
groups respectively at different points along the line.
In the neighbourhood of Latiahar and thence westward the Panchet
and Raniganj groups have disappeared, and the
Barakars at, and west
of, Latiahar diminished thickness now existing of the Barakars is certainly
De, very much less than in the.east. How far this is
to be attributed to original limitation of deposit, how far to subsequent
denudation, itis not easy to say. It is quite probable that the upper
groups never were deposited so far west; and, on the other hand, it seems not
unlikely that some portion of the Barakar sequence has been denuded
away, though it may be difficult to prove thesame. Be this as it may, it
is certain that an outlier of Mahadevas rests directly on sandstones and
conglomerates, whose lithological characters resemble those of the rocks
forming the lowest zone in the east of the field. The Barakar rocks
near Latiahar, so far as they are seen, shew signs of considerable disturb-
ance, due no doubt to the proximity of three lines of fracture, viz.,
a pair of east and west faults, and a cross-fault which bounds the field
up to Putkee,
Ce)
BARAKAR GROUP : OUTLIERS. ' > 19
From Dudwah westward the Aurunga winds to and fro across the
boundary, so yielding interrupted sections of sand-
Aurunga section con-
ael stones and carbonaceous shales, which for the most
part dip at high angles northwards, No coal is
seen in this portion of the Aurunga or its tributaries. In the succeeding
reaches of the Aurunga up to Putkee, sandstones, with rare carbonaceous
shales, are the only rocks seen. At the three points, vide map, where the
"boundary strikes the river tangentially, the sandstones are either
vertical or dip away at high angles. In the section west of Putkee the
junction is undoubtedly faulted, and some pebble-beds shew signs of
partial vitrifieation. Half a mile further on the river enters an oval tract
occupied by an outlying basin of Mahadevas, presently to be described ;
where it again passes into Barakars, it discloses a narrow zone consisting
of sandstones and conglomerates, with one band of carbonaceous shale,
which dip S.-S.-E. at angles rising from 25°, to the vertical. Although
itis clear that both here and on the southern margin of this basin the
thiekness of the Barakars is reduced to 200 feet or so at the utmost,
none of the sections give distinet evidence of
No distinet evidence
SP'illaonformify. unconformity. In each stream, on the other hand,
there seems to be a steady sequence upwards from
the Barakar grits to the red Mahadeva sandstones. In the extreme
western extension of the field, white pebble conglomerates, without any
very distinct bedding, and forming series of low hills, prevail over every
other form of rock. There still remain to be described the Barakar
rocks of several outliers in the vicinity of this field.
Outliers.—Four detached deposits which include Barakar rocks are
known to exist in the vicinity of the Aurunga
ee ia north-east field, By far the most extensive, and in other
respects the most important of these, is situated
beyond the north-east end of the field, and at an elevation which must
average 200 feet above the level of the neighbouring portions of the
field south of Balu-naggar. A very complete section of this area is
afforded by the stream which, starting from Buruhmoria, runs round
САЗ?
80 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
фу Palee and Dudhuria to Khuriadih. The bottom beds, seen in the
section, south of the first-named locality, consist of a ferruginous con-
glomerate, with angular fragments of quartz, dip 20° west, covered by
clunchy white and grey shales, ironstones and carbonaceous shales.
The principal bed of the latter includes some coaly layers, but only
a thickness of about one foot is exposed. Close by this section, in the
high ground east of Sirka, there is a low range about 50 feet high, half
a mile long, which is made up of ironstones,
Tronstones at Sirka. E ; 5 - .
including a fair proportion of excellent quality,
The whole surface of this range is honeycombed with holes, made for the
purpose of extracting the ore. Resuming the section in the stream south
of Sirka, there are sandstones, with white beds and ironstones ; gneiss then
interrupts the continuity, after which there is a much disturbed section
of white and grey shales, with carbonaceous layers
Tronstones in river
en and ironstones in abundance, some of which are
5 inches thick, and have yielded on assay 45'3 of
metallic iron. West of this there is another break in which gneiss occurs;
the stream then traverses sandstones with low dips to west and north-
west, changing further on to the east. After an interval, the next rock
exposed near Dudhuria isa seam consisting chiefly of carbonaceous
shale of uncertain thickness; it is followed by
another, and then they are repeated, and a third
exposed, by a dome-like roll of the beds. "The
descending section of this dome, taken on west side, is as follows :—
Seams of carbonaceous
shales. '
Seam, very shaly coal, includes thin band
of ironstone, 50' at 20° W. = . А А a [195 018
Interval.
Seam, 130' at 20° W.-S.-W.= . 5 х A ў .44 4
Sandstones, with carbonaceous shales.
Seam, 160' at 15° W.-N.-W. = н З : : .Al' 4
The details of these seams are not clearly seen, but I do not think
it probable that there is any workable thickness of good coal; however,
as the occurrence of good coal in this vicinity, owing to the proximity of
(80°)
RSS
BARAKAR GROUP :. OUTLIERS. 81
the ironstones, would be of considerable importance, it would be advisable
to sink a couple of trial pits in order to thoroughly test the seams.
Higher in the sequence than the beds forming this dome, there are carbona-
ceous shales with ironstones ; these are well exposed
Euge at Dud- in the face of the river bank, where, in a thickness
of about 30 feet, 10 per cent. consists of layers of
ironstone, which are never more than 6 inches thick. "The individual
layers have not a wide extension, being of lenticular shape ; but as they
die out and reappear by rapid interpolations, the total thickness at any
particular spot is pretty constant. A specimen of
black-band ore from this locality yielded 33:7 per
cent. of metallie iron. From this northwards up to Koriadih the section
is much interrupted, occasional outerops of sandstone only being seen.
Black-band.
To the west of thisline of section there is at Ghotam a low range
| about a mile long, which, like the one at Sirka, is
Ironstone at Ghotam. Я : :
» chiefly formed of ironstone. А specimen of
Ghotam ore yielded 39-4 per cent. of iron; but the
a one at Kur richest ore was obtained from some borings half a
mile west of Kurmahie, the yield of iron being 56:6,
Various other sections of these rocks were examined on the edge of the
scarp near Ghotam and Dudhuria, which it is useless to describe in detail
here; but it should be mentioned that there are caps of sandstones and
conglomerates on the semi-detached hills near Balu-naggar.
There is so much irregularity of stratification, that it is difficult to assign
a definite thickness to this deposit, but where greatest it may be 300 feet.
The general ascending sequence appears to be—
Angular conglomerate.
White and grey clays.
General sequence, Carbonaceous shales,
Ironstones.
Sandstones.
These sandstones I believe to be of Barakar age, and the ironstones,
like those of Rajbar, must therefore be referred to the same group. No
F ( 991 >)
82 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
traces of Talchirs were met in ‘this area. The prospect of the seams of
carbonaceous shales being found to contain good coal is very slender.
This is the more to be regretted since ironstone of good quality is in
great abundance, and the crystalline limestone is close by. The area of
this ironstone field 1s about 4 square miles.
The next outler to be mentioned is found north of Masiatu, and
consists of elays, sandstones and conglomerates,
B rond north of which oceupy an area of less than half a square
mile. These are perched on a very irregular
pedestal of metamorphie rocks, the elevation of the lowest beds varying
within 100 feet in different sections. This deposit offers no particular
points for further notice.
The third outlier is situated. beyond the southern boundary of the
field near Nowagarh. It occupies about 2
Outlier ` north of
Nei square miles, in about half of which Talchir rocks
agarh. |
are found. These are only exposed on the west, being
overlapped on all the other sides. The Barakar beds consist of sand-
stones and conglomerates similar in character to those of the adjoining
parts of the field. There are only traces of carbonaceous shales, and the
rocks generally present no partieular points of interest.
The last outlier occurs just outside the boundary north of Toobed;
the rocks are red shales, and oceupy a very small area.
Suction 3.—RANIGANJ GROUP.
There are few clear sections of these rocks exposed, and as they
shew a departure from the normal lithological characters of the group
in a comparative scarcity of calcareous bands, and a prevalence of soft
yellow sandstones not unlike those occurring in the next sueceeding
Panchet group, it has not always been easy to discriminate them. The
boundaries which have been drawn therefore must be understood to be,
to a great extent, arbitrary.
a Some of these yellow beds particularly reminded me of the Panchet sandstones of
the Damuda section in the Raniganj field at Deoli, where the reptilian fossils were found.
( 88 )
AURUNGA FIELD: RANIGANJ GROUP. 83
No fossils have been discovered in them, and the correlation is there-
E eon c fore wholly established by geological position and
by lithological and geo- lithological resemblance to beds in the adjoining
logical characters.
| Karanpura field.
_ In the Sukri, west of Mungra, the Barakar beds are covered up by
soft yellow false-bedded sandstones, with rare bands of calcareous sand-
"stones. The transition to the Panchets is not well marked, and the
position of the boundary consequently doubtful.
In fact, when first examined I thought I had but
one group to deal with. The dip of these yellow beds averages 15°,
and the thiekness I estimate here at from 900
to 1,000 feet. In all other sections it is pro-
Boundaries doubtful:
Thickness.
bably less.
In the southern branch of the Sukri occurs the already described
junction near Pukrar, which appears to indieate internal overlap in the
Raniganjes. Another section of these beds is
afforded by the Sukri near Toobed. Resting on
the Barakars there are fine sandstones with a dip of 8°, to east-south-east ;
these are followed by yellow sandstones which dip 15° to south-east, and
soon becoming flat are covered by alluvium, so that the topmost beds of the
Section near Toobed.
| | sequence, underlying the Mahadevas, are not seen.
а ed ів possible that the beds so covered are Panchets,
but immediately south of the village the Maha-
devas come so close that these highest beds must be overlapped. The
Sections west of Next section is in the Sukri west of Toobed, where,
oed. resting on the previously described highly tilted
ripple-marked Barakar sandstones and carbonaceous shales, there are
yellow sandstones, with earbonaceous shales, having the same dip of about,
559. These are succeeded by fine yellow sandstones and sandy shales, with
dips falling from west-south-west 49?, to west 15? and west 5°, upon which
rests a bed of gritty sandstone that should probably be regarded as the base
bed of the Panchets ; resting upon it there are gently rolling greenish and
( 83 )
84 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
purple clays of typical Panchet character, after which we pass again on
to yellow sandstone, of which numerous sections are afforded in the —
streams near Bundodag, where, owing to the vieinity of the fault, they
dip at angles of 50°, and even 70°. In the small area cut off by the fault,
bluish earbonaceous shales, as in the previous section, are associated with
the yellow beds, which appear to be generally conformable to the under-
lying Barakars, to which however they present the strongest contrast in |
lithologieal characters. At the extreme end of this portion of the
field, where the two faults (vide map) intersect, these beds have been
squeezed into a V-shaped trough, on the southern side of which a portion
of the beds have been cut out by the east-west fault, as it is only on the
south side of the V that a seam of carbonaceous shale is seen, measuring
9'6", dip 50°. There is undoubtedly a zone of Panchet beds round
the Sasung hill, but the sections are not very clear.
We now pass to the section in the Bagh Digwa near Hoochloo.
Overlying the Barakar section there, a series of
De Dies steeply inclined sandstones apparently belong
to this group. These are soon covered by coarse
gritty beds, which I should be inclined rather to refer to the Panchets,
but it is not elear how they ean be so, as further west there are, at an
apparently higher horizon, calcareous sandstones of the well-known
Raniganj type. It is possible that some of the beds higher in the
sequence may mark a tongue of Panchets along the line of fault, but as
the plotting of the river is very defective, I have not attempted to indi-
eate this. On the other side of this fault there is a narrow strip of red -
clays belonging to the Panchets, which are soon covered by Mahadevas.
To the west of this, surrounding Jugguldugga, there is a patch of
Panchets cut off by the fault, which are themselves
Me ner Juggul- surrounded by a narrow marginal zone of Raniganjes.
These are of typical character, and include calcareous
bands in the section seen in a small stream south-east of the village.
In the loop bend of the Aurunga south-west of the village there is a
small section of rolling sandstones of this group which rest on tng much
( 84 )
AURUNGA FIELD: RANIGANJ GROUP. 85
diminished zone of Barakars. In the next loop bend of the Aurunga
to the west there are similar sandstones, and with them some carbona-
ceous shales. Those at the north end of the reach are in crushed con-
tact with a peeuliar massive white grit which has some resemblance to
Barakars, but must from its position, I believe, be referred to the Panchets.
dn the Aurunga west of Gowa the Raniganj beds are not clearly
seen, but they must have thinned out considerably,
since they are restricted to a very narrow zone
between the purple Panchet clays and certain grits, which must, I think
be regarded as Barakars. These sections and the one above described in
the Sukri where the faults intersect are the most western points where
rocks exhibiting the standard Raniganj lithological characters have been
met with. It seems most probable that, where rocks of this age are
met with further west, they willbe found to have assumed the lithologi-
cal character which distinguishes the Kamthis.
Raniganjes thin out,
It is singular that the change should be found so distinetly to the
west of the watershed of the Damuda. I have already endeavoured to
explain this on a previous page.
There still remain two small areas of these rocks to be described р
Buh of Jug! they are situated in the raviney ground north of
guldugga. the Jugguldugga hills whieh is drained by the
Subano river. The limits owing to the nature of the ground and the
want of striking contrast between some of the beds of the two groups
are oíten very obseure, The most noteworthy fact is that they include
the only seam of real Raniganj coal met with in this field. The seam
is only 1’ 6” thick, dip 25°. The quality of the coal is indicated in the -
table of assays. 16 turns out to be a worse fuel
Coal seam. : 2
than I had expected from its appearance and light-
ness. "There are other minor seams close by. The principal associated
rocks are dense, mieaceous, calcareous, fine-grained sandstones and loose
soft sandy shales, some of them not very distinctly separable from the
rocks which occur in the region between Udipura and the Jugguldugga.
hills, and which I have referred to the Panchet group.
(5)
86 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR.COAL FIELDS.
. SECTION 4.—Pancuer GROUP. |
In.the previous section the indication of the limits of the Raniganj
group has involved frequent allusion to these rocks, the distribution of
the two being very similar and co-terminous. The generality of the
Conton to hio: sections tend to shew that the two groups are
ganjes. - conformable in most cases, but there are several
which make it doubtful that this conformity is universal, notably the two
sections just described in the Sukri west of Jugguldugga; and if the soft
greenish beds, which at Deobar underlie the eastern end of the Mabadeva
outlier beyond the Aurunga, are Panchets, there is evidence of very com-
plete overlap, as there is no trace of the Raniganjes in that section.
There are several leading lithologieal types among the rocks which
: / go to make this group. Of these, the highest are
Lithological types. k
the purple and green clays and associated shales.
These are somewhat local in their distribution, being only found in the
Sukri section near Kaima in the Bagh Digwa, west of Hoohloo, and in
the Aurunga north of Kaima. |
The next types are grits, of which there are several varieties, some
loose and ferruginous, others soft, greenish and friable, and still others
which are white and felspathie, and are not easily distinguishable from
Barakar rocks. At first I thought that the generally undecomposed
condition of the felspar furnished a means for distinguishing these from
Barakars, in which the felspar is usually in a decomposed condition. and
more generally disseminated. This does not always hold good „as
Barakar grits, including angular fragments of undecomposed felspar, were
subsequently met with.. Rocks of either of the above types are not
likely to be mistaken for Raniganj beds, but there 1s still another type,
or rather class, exemplified by greenish micaceous sandstones, occasionally
ealeareous. To distinguish these from very similar beds in the Raniganj
group is by no means easy, and this the more especially as they occur at
the base. To this cause is to be attributed much of the doubt which
must always attach to the determination of the precise position of the
Raniganj-Panchet boundary. |
90 о)
AURUNGA FIELD: MAHADEVA SERIES. 87
In one place only in the Sukri section near Semuria did I meet with
Т. + any case of the occurrence of carbonaceous matter
Carbonaceous matter. , ) a
AUT in these rocks; the traces of it were very slight,
being little more than black stains. A. constant outlook for fossils in
‚ these beds did ‚not result in the discovery of a
Fossils. A Ba ,
| single fragment. Some of the thin mieaceous shaly
sandstones. resemble the Zstheria beds of the Raniganj area, but I found
in them no trace of any organic remains.
From the varying width of {һе жопе of these rocks found surround-
T - ^. ing the base of the Mahadeva hills, the pro-
Overlap by Mahadevas. EN а муйу
. bability that they are in places overlapped is very
great. Indeed, at Toobed, this seems certainly to be the ease; but besides
this overlap unconformity thereis, I believe, in the sections afforded by the
Disturbance unconfor. Streams in the valley between Hurdee and Chehora
mity. ‚ hill, south-east of Subano, evidence of regular dis-
turbance unconformity : there is a steady dip southwards of a thickness of
several hundred feet of the Panchets, almost up tothe very foot of the
Mahadeva scarp. There is certainly notinterval sufficient for this whole
thickness to be turned over во as to dip normally under the Mahadevas.
` Since, as І have shewn when treating of the Mahadevas generally,
there is great probability of a considerable break in conditions of depo-
sition, if not of time, between the Mahadevas and all preceding groups,
the wonder i ls that there should not be more numerous cases of unconform-
able superposition to be enumer ated.
The estimated thickness of the Panchal group in this area is 700 feet.
SECTION 5.-—MAHADEVA SERIES.
The prineipal area in the Aurunga field, oceupied by these essentially
hill-forming rocks, is a raised tract, extending in a north-west
south-east direction for a distance of over six miles from Kaima to
Hurdee. The beds dip inwards from the opposing scarps at angles of
20° and under, so forming a synelinal trough, at the centre of which
the.beds are for the most part horizontal.
(87)
88 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
The maximum thiekness does not exceed 500 feet in all probability,
The rocks, as seen in the sections near Subano, `
consist primarily of dark reddish-brown, ferru-
ginous sandstone, with extremely sparse strings of iron-stained quartz
Lithological charac- pebbles, and occasional thin partings of dense red
u clays; there are also white loose-textured grits,
from which the iron has been segregated into dense ferruginous
plates.
Thickness.
The physical characters of these rocks have been sufficiently indicated
in the general sketch, and the overlap of the
Panehets at Toobed, and the unconformable
superposition on the same rocks to south-east of Subano have also been
described. To the north-west of this hilly tract there is an outlying low
hill near Sasung formed of these rocks. The beds rest upon Panchets,
and are eut off by the fault on the south-west. The thickness is incon-
siderable, probably under 100 feet.
Physical characters.
The next area occupied by rocks of this age is situated near Juggul- .
Reon бейбак dogeul: dugga, and is about one square mile in extent.
dugga. It is partly included between two of the main
faults of the area, and the lowest beds are in consequence in eontact with
the edges of beds belonging to several different groups. These relations
will be best understood by reference to the map. The rocks are pre-
eisely similar to those just described ; the thickness
of the beds is at present perhaps about 450 feet;
they form a synelinal basin, and, as is almost invariably the case
Thickness.
with the Mahadevas, they are most efficient water
Perennial streams. : - :
storers. Perennial streams are almost invariably
to be found in their vieinity. "This I also remarked upon in refer-
ence to the Kamthi rocks of Hingir.
The next area is situated to the west of the Jugguldugga hills, ex-
"Area east of Тана. tending thence to Latiahar. A good section is
гар obtained in the deep-cut gorge between Satodeeh
( 88 )
AURUNGA FIELD: MAHADEVA SERIES. 89
and Keenamand. The straightness of the boundaries, together with
the varying nature of the contact beds, sufficiently
Bounded by faults. : : f
T prove the existence of a pair of bounding faults.
This is further evidenced by the high inclinations of the beds, dipping
from the faults on both sides, which thus form a very decided synclinal
trough. I have already spoken of the obscurity of the relations near
Latiahar. The rocks near the base of the hills
are completely concealed by alluvium, but if I am
right in relegating the anomalous beds to Talehirs, I think the rela-
Rocks concealed near
Latiahar. .
tions represented must be correct, and that the Mahadevas rest here upon
Barakars, the Panchets and Raniganjes having died out.
The beds forming the Latiahar hill are, in part at least, highly tilted,
rising to an elevation of about 900 feet above the
Thickness. i А
village. The thiekness cannot be less here than
about 700 feet.
At the foot of the hills south-east of Panripura I found some red
shales of limited extension containing fossil plants. This was in im-
` mediate proximity to the. line of fault, and it was not possible to deter-
N | mine to which group they belonged. They are
overlaid by whitish sandstones of somewhat doubt-
ful character, but higher on the slope are very similar red shales belong-
ing to the Mahadevas. The fossils include species of Glossopteris,
Vertebraria, Pecopteris and conifer seeds. It would be dangerous, under
the eircumstances, to refer them to any definite horizon.
About three miles to the west of Latiahar there is a small hill formed
Outlier west of Latiae Of these rocks, which is perhaps about 120 feet high.
ar. The beds here rest directly on Barakars. From an
observation I made in the hot weather, when the jungle was bare and
the lines of stratification visible in profile from a long distance off, I am
inclined to believe that the beds have been faulted on the north, since it
was then apparent that the lower beds of the southern scarp were cut
out on the north.
(59)
90 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
The last area occupied by these rocks.is in. the bed. of the Aurunga,
4 at Deobar. ; Close to that village there is a section
Outlier at Deobar. 2 :
of some fine-grained greenish beds, which are
possibly referable to the Panchets, as has been stated on a previous page;
these are covered up by a. set of bright-red sandstones and ‚shales, which
have some local peculiarities, but may, I think, safely be referred to the
Mahadevas. Towards the base there are grits, which are not readily
Lithological . charae- distinguishable from Barakars, but nothing
tes nz could be stronger than the contrast afforded ‚by
the warm brick-red and purple hues of the topmost beds, to the cold, stone
greys and dirty whites of the Barakar beds. In their physical charac-
аа teristics these beds differ from normal Mahade-
fic. c vas in that they do not rise to form hills, but the
Aurunga discloses long scarps, 20 to 30 feet above the bed of the river.
| They form a shallow synclinal resting with apparent conformity on
a very much thinned deposit of Barakars, The
Thickness. А :
total thickness was not accurately ascertained, but
may perhaps be about 250 feet.
` From the occurrence of ferruginoug platy beds at the base of the sec-
tion north of Nowagudha, which more closely resemble some of the
beds of the eastern localities than do the higher members of the se-
quence, I think it possible that the latter belong to the very highest
zone in the whole area.
( 90 )
"CHAPTER VI.
THE HUTAR FIELD.
The remarks made on previous pages with reference to the general
physical structure of this field and its surroundings render it unneces-
sary to preface the following stratigraphical details with any further
En deseription of them. The area of the field is
78:6 square miles. The different formations being
exposed in the following proportions :—
Mahadeva Series. . з : - . . 141 square miles.
Barakar Group . . . Ў ; ; 1 255/50 x: 2
35 33
Talchir j: : : 4 3 н А Л
——
78°6 square miles.
SECTION 1.—TALcHir GROUP.
At the extreme eastern end of the Hutar field rocks belonging to
the Talchir group occur at the base of the hills formed of Barakars,
and oceupy a marginal zone of varying width and thickness. Immediately
ander the Kande hill the deposit consists chiefly of boulder bed, which,
together with some associated shales and sandstones, attains a thickness
of about 200 feet. These are directly overlaid by from 250 to 300 feet
of Barakar sandstones and conglomerates. From hence, in a south-
westerly "direction, the marginal zone can be traced only with great
difficulty owing to the covering of talus and dense vegetation.
Although I have represented it on the map as being continuous up
to the Dauri river, I am doubtful about its being really so, asin several
plaees the gneiss appeared to interrupt it, occurring up to elevations of
about 100 feet on the slopes and being apparently directly covered by
Barakars; but a distant view of the hill face stretching from Kande
to the Dauri, obtained when the jungle had, for the most part, put on
its yellow and brown tints, leads me to suppose that the Talchirs may
(mon. )
92 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
really be continuous. A well marked line of green trees was seen to
stretch westwards, with a slope of about 5°, from a point apparently at -
the level of the top beds of the Talchirs in the Kande hill, down to
the level of the Dauri valley. This line of green trees evidently
marked the position of an impervious stratum which arrested moisture—
in all probability a Talchir shale.
In the Dauri section from 80 to 100 feet of Talchirs are seen rest-
ing naturally on the gneiss, a small outlying
patch also occurring south of the main boundary.
The bed immediately overlying the Talchirs in this section consists
of a highly ferruginous sandstone which one might hesitate to include
with Barakars were it not that it is associated with some small coal
seams and other normal Barakar rocks.
Dauri section.
Beyond the Dauri the Talchirs are traceable for about a mile, after |
which they are overlapped, for it does not seem probable that the
boundary which strikes south-south-west past
- Overlap. ER
Morwaie is a faulted one.
From Kande westwards, along the northern boundary of the field,
the marginal zone is traceable as a narrow strip,
with perhaps one short interval, up to Ookamand.
Beyond the village it spreads out suddenly, and the shales, which there
thieken considerably, are spread over about half a square mile of ground.
Again it narrows, and at Lohoor is overlapped completely. In this
neighbourhood there is atrap dyke which traverses
the metamorphics with an irregular course.
In the sections of this dyke which are exposed in the Teorohee Nadi at
Kochilah and Ledgain small patches of Talchir shales are seen, which
have been conserved from erosion by the protecting influence of the trap.
Northern boundary.
Trap dyke.
West of Lohoor the zone spreads abruptly to a width of а mile,
and in the Dauri there ıs a considerable section
in which a thickness of possibly 300 feet is
exposed.
Thickness.
( 92 )
HUTAR FIELD: TALCHIR GROUP. 93
Towards the base the shales are traversed by a strong dyke of trap
which in the river section is nearly 50 yards
wide. Close to the top of the section there is a
boulder bed, in which there are polished granite boulders up to 2 feet
in diameter; besides which there are well rounded masses of a dense
Boulders of Vindhyan Fed quartzite, which are apparently lithologically
rock.
Trap dyke.
identical with a well known form of Vindhyan
rock. In Sirguja I met with a similar deposit, ^ where, since there
ате no Vindhyan rocks within the present existing watershed, it
seemed to be necessary to invoke the agency of ice, as affording the
only possible means of transport from the Sone valley. It should
be stated that there are Vindhyan quartzites of precisely similar
character in the Mahanadi valley, but owing to the nature uf the
intervening eountry in each ease, it is perhaps more likely that the
boulders were carried from the Sone.
Similarly here, the Vindhyan rocks, though nearer, occur north-
wards, in which direction the present lines of drainage run, The sup-
posed upheaval of the Palamow highlands, which is elsewhere discussed,
would help in this ease to support the view, that the boulders may
have been transported southwards from the Sone valley by rivers running
in an exactly opposite direction to the drainage system at present
existing; but that such a fall to the south ever existed is scarcely
likely, and in the Sirguja ease most improbable. It may be urged,
on the other hand, that Vindhyan rocks possibly existed ¿z situ in both
localities during the Talchir period, and were subsequently completely
denuded away. In reply, it can only be said that there is not a particle
of evidence to justify such an assumption.
lam anxious to give some prominence to these remarkable cases.
Since, subsequently to the publication of the Sirguja instance, an early
opinion of mine" as to the possible origin of the boulder bed has been
a Records, 1873, Vol. VI page 28, note.
b Memoirs, Geological Survey of India, Vol, vi, p. 116.
( 98 )
94 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
eited? in support of Ње non-glacial origin. These cases of transport-
ed Vindhyan boulders appear, however, to indicate a glacial period,
quite as strongly as do the polished and striated boulders which have
elsewhere been found.
In the Dauri section west of the last-named locality, and at the
corner of the loop bend east of Hurilong, there are pearly grey and
lavender-coloured, much false-bedded sandstones, which are the high-
est bed of this section. They present an extraordinary resemblance to
à Panchet beds. West of this section the Talchirs
Koel River section. io nas A y
are indistinctly traceable through Chercha up to
the Koel, where they осспру a much narrowed zone, and are only seen
on the western bank of the river near Hutar.
Through Hutar and westwards they are found eropping out under
ee the edge of the Barakars”, till the vicinity of the
Cheinpur road is reached south of Nowadih. Here
again they are traversed by trap, and in the streams from Banulat there
is a somewhat complicated section in which Talchirs, Barakars, gneiss, and
then again Talchirs are met with. This section can only be explained by
supposing the Talchirs and Barakars to be cut off, as is represented on the
map, by the main bounding fault. A section of a similarly cut-off patch
is obscurely exposed in the streams and raviney ground south of Chupatsi.
The marginal zone is further traceable in a number of sections up to the
Atee river near Bijka. In the Sutgurhea, the shales in contact with the
gneiss are permeated by veins of pseudomorphie
quartz; elsewhere along the boundary, there are
indications of induration and crushing; and the distorted junction
exposed in the Atee section clearly proves the existence of a fault,
which is continued to the south-west past Bijka hill, where the Barakars
Boundary faulted.
a Proceedings, Geological Society, London, 1877, Vol. xxxiii, p. 8,
b In one or two sections there seemed to be overlap of the Barakars on to the gneiss ;
but from the broken nature of the ground, these sections are obscure, and their exact positions
difficult to determine.
( 94 )
HUTAR FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 95
and Talchirs are completely eut out, and the Mahadevas lowered to the
level of the gneiss.
At the western extremity of the field a very pretty confirmation of
the existence of a faült, which is otherwise’ pretty evident, is afforded
by the occurrence of a small patch of Talchir boulder bed in the Supahi
river, [ab the foot of the’ Mahadeva ‘scarp. The full force of this
will be better appreciated by a reference to the map than by any
description.
On the south boundary of the field there still remain some Talchir
2 deposits to be noted. The first of these is at
Talchirs at Binda. ra Ў
Binda, where the rocks consist chiefly of sandstones
and shales underlying a small area of Barakars, which is cut off by a fault,
gneiss being thrust up in the angle formed by it with the terminal
fault just mentioned.
Talchirs are again seen at the base of the section in the Supahi,
| north-west of Purro, where the lowest bed ap-
Talchirs at Purro. > t £
pears to graduate off into a decomposed gneiss.
Hence eastwards they are more or less distinctly traceable up to the
Purro stream, where a boulder bed rests naturally on the gneiss. ·
Further east, though not exposed in the Koel section, Talchirs pro-
bably occur underneath the sandstone, as they are well developed in the
streams near Mundul, where liver-eoloured shales are more abundant
Talchirs between Mun. than elsewhere. There is also a considerable
ашала Hello, boulder bed which constitutes the principal
thickness in a zone which laps round the base of the Mundul range,
from hence eastwards up to Hetlee, where the boundary is faulted
and the Talchirs eut out.
SECTION 2.—BARAKAR GROUP.
At the eastern end of the field in the Kande hill station there is a
Ehre) cies: thickness of about 300 feet of sandstones and con.
EES . glomerates which spread thence westward, form-
ing flat-topped ridges of a character most unlike that normally
( 95 )
96 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
exhibited by! Barakars. Certain sandy ironstones and highly ferrugin-
ous slightly conglomeratie grits, which are seen in the sections of these
ridges on the slopes near Ookamand and Lohoor, made me for a time sup-
pose that these highlands were in part formed of Mahadevas. Finding,
however, that these ferruginous beds in some cases occur near the bottom
of the sections, being covered by typical Barakar eonglomerates, I have
been compelled to class all the rocks which occur above the Talchirs on
the east side of the Koel as Barakars. The first regular cross-section
a of these beds is obtained in the Dauri, where the
lowest Barakar bed at the southern end is a
highly; ferruginous sandstone which rests upon the Talchirs north of
Saidope, as has been already indieated on a previous page when describing
the Talchir section. To it succeed normal Barakar sandstones and grits,
many of them, both here and in the Ghorassan river, being eroded so as
to form a great variety of fantastically shaped pot-holes, which sometimes,
by the breaking down of the parting walls, have coalesced to form large
reservoirs, in which fish abound. In the north to south reach above
the Talchirs there occur, associated with the sandstones, four seams of
coal and.one of carbonaceous shale, which average
Coal seams. : :
only from 4” to 6” in thickness. In the next reach
there is a larger seam of about 2’ 6” ; locally this dips to south-west, but
that is merely due to a roll, the general dip of the rocks being northwards.
At the junction of the Ghorassan with the Dauri occurs the section
measured by Captain Sage ( vide p. 4). The seam, which contains some
good coal*, measures about 3’ 6”. Apparently it is exposed for some dis-
M tance on the hills flanking the Ghorassan valley,
Since fragments from it are found in the bed of
that river some distance up, though the seam is not itself exposed. 'The
dip is 5^, to west. Soon afterwards the beds turn round to a southerly
direction, and if they were more constant in character and thickness, we
should find a repetition of the just described section on this, the other,
E o ne A RERBA nu.
a See table of assays in Economic chapter.
( 96 )
HUTAR FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 97
side of the synclinal. It is impossible, however, to recognize the foregoing
section in that which follows. At the bend north-east of Badhunyah
UM there is a seam which includes 15 inches of bright
streaked but dense coal* dipping at 10°, to
soutb-east. Apparently a continuation of the same seam occurs in the
next reach, with dip to south-west ; and in the north to south reach north
of Badhunyah and south-east of Hurilong, there is a seam which measures
` about 40 feet horizontally, with a dip of 10°, to
Seam. : :
south, representing a thickness of nearly 8 feet.
The coal is highly bituminous, the most so of any specimen examined.
Its small proportion of fixed carbon (vide assay) would render it defi-
eient in heating power. From its thickness, and being more easy of
access than any of the others, it might prove to be of value, which the
others certainly are not. In the wide hilly tract included between the
Dauri and the Koel, from Hutar up to its junetion with the Thatha river, .
I failed to find any trace of carbonaceous matter in any of the numerous
streams. Close to Badhunyah, there is a sandstone which is remarkable
for containing numerous marble-like concretions.
In the neighbourhood of Morwaie the sandstones are often highly
Ironstones at Mor. ferruginous, and ironstones and red clays are of
nne. frequent occurrence; but the former, though fur-
nishing an ample supply for the native furnaces, are, to the best of my
belief, neither here nor anywhere else within the Hutar field in suffi-
cient abundance to justify the belief that they could be employed pro-
fitably in the manufacture of iron on the European system, but to this
subject I shall return again in the Economie chapter. South of
‚Morwaie the Barakars are cut off by a well-marked fault. On the line
of fracture associated with the fault rock I found some magnetite, par-
tially altered into red hematite.
I shall now describe the sections in the Koel and its tributaries, from
Sections in Koel and North to south. First I must allude to the pre-
er vious notices. Captain Sage’s Burra river appears
_ ® I have not included the assay of this specimen in the table, as it would, being a use-
less coal as regards thickness, unfairly depreciate the average. The composition is,
moisture 7:6, volatile 30°6, carbon 38:2, ash 23:6.
G (КОЙ)
98 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
to be the same as the one called the Mungurdar by Mr. Homfray, as
both speak of the near proximity of Hutar.
Unfortunately I find that when on the spot I
omitted to enquire the names of the two branches of the river at Hutar.
The true Mungurdar riyer, however, joins the Koel nearly four miles
north of the coal-field at Hutar, and to the best of my belief does not
traverse any outlying pateh of measures, but I have not examined its
course throughout. What river Mr. Homfray indicates by the name
Barwellia, which he speaks of as { ‘running to the eastward, ” 4.6., coming
from the west, unless it be the Supabi, І до not know. I have already
commented on some other of Mr. Homfray’s statements.
In the Koel, voe are seen under the west bank up to within a
short distance of the Hutar river. Barakars then supervene, and the fol-
lowing section i 18 found in the southern, Nowadih, branch of the river
close to the lower tolehs of the village. Resting on sandstone there isa
seam about 5 feet thick, of which the bottom, 1 foot,
consists of coal, dip 15°, tosouth. Above this there
are shales very like Talehirs in lithological characters, followed by an
irregular seam about 10, feet thick, including 1 foot of bad coal at
top and dU 4? of good coal at hase (vide assay). This seam is traceable
westwards for about a mile. Although it varies somewhat in Character
the thickness of the included coal remains pretty constant. The Nowa-
dih hill to the south i is composed of sandstones and conglomerates, with
which there are some ironstones, which are smelted
by the Aguriabs of. several neighbouring, hamlets,
This neighbourhood, asa site of i iron manufacture, Was, mentioned: by
Captain Sage i in 1830, and from the great abundance of slag, iti is, evident
that there have been furnaces here for a long period.
From the mouth of the Butar river to that of the Supahi, the Koel
ЕМ. abroken Section, of sandstones with. south-
Previous notices.
Seams at Hutar.
Ironstones at Nowadih.
Supahi section.
point where it, leaves the Donthen hills, e are fel of Malden
there is a more or less interrupted section of grits, sandstones, and
conglomerates, with dips of from 10° to 15°, to south,
( 98 )
HUTAR FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 99
Ata short distance on either side of the Daltonganj road-crossing,
there are carbonaceous shales, those on the west
Abnormal top beds. d ы E
including 6” of coal. From the occurrence in other
sections of certain peculiar beds towards the top, it at one time seemed pro-
bable that these were representatives of a group or sub-group between the
true Barakars and the Mahadevas in the portion of the Hutar field
which lies west of the Koel. In this particular section, however, the
beds seem to be normal Barakars. Owing to the steadiness of the dip,
this section and that of the neighbouring Hurtah river afford unusual
opportunities for measuring the thickness of beds intervening between the
top of the Talchirs and the bottom of the Mahadevas. Estimating the
average dip at 12° and the horizontal distance 24 miles, the thickness
would be about 2,750 feet. 'This is the maximum thickness at the
centre of the basin, and it is much in excess of
‚that found elsewhere.
The most important of the Supahi tributaries is the one which rises
in the Hurtah or Hudur hill, and bears the same
name. The section which commences near Titaro
Thickness.
Section in Hurtah,
(Toleh of map), a small Aguriah hamlet, is as follows :—
Talchir shales.
Grits and shales of uncertain thickness.
1. Flaggy shales, rolling, say 800’ at 5^— . `. za. ОО
2. Sandstones, 400' at 5° = 5 « of . 9
3. Sandstone and sandy shale, us ОБШО 220° at 10°— 98 2"
4. Seam, dip 109 . . А : е bis OF
5. Sandstones -. ^ с à З i ; ó AA
6: Seam |
a. Stony carbonaceous shale А 5 : Vae
b. Coal n: : 3 : à . OR iar
c. Carbonaceous shite. Р : : ОИ
da Coat : " : : : 4 ЕДО
== ©
7. Sandstones and grit, 27’ at 15° = : E DEUS
8. Coal : : : Е 2 : ОЕ 94
9. Grit А : OS
Here there is a slip oad sspe of buc
Seam— • This illustrates the rapid
Coal,seen, .. ..1' 6”! changes im character of beds
Sandstones . . 17 5” which so frequently take
Coal . б . 0 2" place.
Gui E à sO 0
9)
100
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
. Interval, 50 at 10° = .
. Sandstones, 32 at 10° = А : :
. Sandstone with irregular band of coal, mostly stony
. Grit with scattered pebbles, 280' at 8° — 4
. Interval, in which some thin carbonaceous layers occur,
50' at 15° =
, D
. Sandstones, 92' at 10? —
бо. ,
. Sandstones, 18' at 10° = =
- GWM. КҮНӨ 3 - 6
. Carbonaceous shales, with thin re of an and sand-
L]
О
stones, 165 at 1209 =
. Grits, 95 at 15° = А 5 :
. Carbonaceous dos layers of coal 6” thick (с {ор
and bottom, 60'at122= . К : a ы
[Beds here distorted and repeated. |
. Sandstones and grit : : 5 AE
. Interval, in which some carbonaceous shales are seen to
occur, 50’ at 10 =
. Sandstones and grits, including 4” band of RT at centre,
110! at 10° =
*
. Coal, shaly-impure.
. Thin sandstones, and carbonaceous shales, 150' at 8° = .
. Sandstones and grits, with irregular nests and layers of
carbonaceous matter, 150' at 8? —
. Sandy and carbonaceous shales, 50' at 10° —
. Carbonaceous sandstone . В
. Seam—
Appears to consist mainly of а dense, rather dull coal, but
portions with bright layers, flaky towards base, dip 89 .
Sandstones 100 at 8? =. . à EIS Te
Seam—
Carbonaceous shale . . ОА"
Shaly coal . . : 72,07
Sandstones and grits cut into gorge, 300' at 109 = .
Seam—
Coal with sandstone, possibly 4rd coal, 50' at 89 =
Sandstones and grits with conglomerates . . »
Seam—
Quality inferior, but part concealed, 100' at 10° .. .
( 100 )
BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
8’ g
5! 6"
3! e"
38' 10”
12' 10”
5 e"
o g
Sale
0 Ag
34 9%
24 1"
12 5”
8 o
8' 8
19 0”
20 8”
20' 0"
8! 7"
3 6"
8’ Of
13' 10”
24
52! 2
6' 10"
60’ 07
17 5
HUTAR FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP. 101
Beyond this, up to the junction with Supahi,there are no more
seams exposed. "The rocks are grits and conglomerates with rare car-
bonaceous layers. Among the above the seam of real value appears to
be No. 30. The average composition of two specimens is good, and
the thickness and dip both favourable to working.
To the north and north-west of this line of section small patches
of Barakars have been eut out by the main bounding fault. The
. Section in — Chupatsi first is tolerably clearly seen, but the second seems
not to be complicated by the occurrence of some
small slips parallel to the main bounding fault. In the Chupatsi
stream there is a section of the carbonaceous zone shewing a diminution
in the number and thickness of the seams. There are here in all about
six, the coal being in bands from 6” up to 2’ 6” in thickness.
.In the Satghoria river there is another cross-section of this zone.
Section in Satghoria The highest seam varies, within the limits of the
axo width of the stream, from 1’ to nearly 4'. Below
it come a series of seams whose average thicknesses are as follows—3”, 2’,
1’, 1’, 1. These occur in alternation with massive beds of grits and
sandstones of from 12 to 20 feet in thickness. There is no workable
thickness of coal exposed in either of these last sections. In the
- almost entire absence of shales, they contrast with the section seen
near Hutar, but very closely resemble the sections near Purro on the
south of the field which will be described further on.
The last tributary of the Supahi in this part of the field whose
section remains to be described, is the Atee. At
the point south-west of Bika, where the Atee
river leaves the hills, there are Barakar grits and pebble beds with a
narrow border of Talchirs. The dips fall rapidly from 50° to 20°.
The lowest beds are much indurated and crushed by faulting, which is
further indicated by the presence of a ridge of fault rock which strikes
hence towards the Bijka hill. Among the broken fragments close to
the line of fracture there are some pieces of coal which are derived from
Section in Atee.
a Vide Table of Assays.
CIO)
102 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
a seam now concealed. In the river section south-west of the
village there are, resting on the typical Barakar grits and pebble beds,
some fine sandy shales and green silty Talchir-like clays which, taken
in eonnection with other like exposures, suggested the possibility, as I
have already stated, of there being in this field a group of beds separ-
Af able alike from Barakars and Mahadevas. This
Talchir-like beds. 3
view I have been obliged to relinquish. In the re-
mainder of the Atee section, from Bijka up to the junction with the Supahi,
these green beds occur with the grits, and no coal seams are exposed.
In the Koel river, from the mouth of the Supahi to the mouth of the
| ) Thatha, sandstones, &c., with south dip are occa-
Rection ie Teen TR sionally exposed.
In the Thatha river there are several seams of carbonaceous shale with
Section in Thatha coaly layers, but their position is uncertain, owing
river. to the inaccurate plotting of the stream. Beyond
the village the section is interrupted by the already alluded to Morwaie
fault, in conjuction with which is the hot spring already described.
Further east a seam of about 1’ 4” of coal is
Seam. - 5 : d
7 seen twice in the bed of the river, being bent
by the fault into a synclinal.
The section in the Koel, from the mouth of the Thatha to the
i Mondul stream, again exposes nothing note-
Beck in т: worthy till near the latter spot, when a coal
seam is partially exposed under the eastern bank. This is the only
der seam uncovered in the whole course of the
Koel. The coal is much decomposed, and as only
three feet is exposed, it is not possible to say whether the seam is of
value; the dip is 10°, rising to 15°. The long hog-backed ridge which
strikes eastward from this is made up of grits and conglomerates, and
possibly coineides with a branching line of fracture, since fragments of
fault rock are found in some abundance on the slopes. Half a mile to
the north, fault rock, which marks the position
East and west fault. : E
of the Morwaie east and west fault, is seen
HUTAR FIELD: BARAKAR GROUP, 108
in situ. In its neighbourhood the Barakür grits ate intensely dis-
` turbed and indurated. West of the Koel; on the same line of strike,
runs the foot of the Mahadeva : scarp. i have чы stated the p possi-
bility of the Mahadevas being faulted and a portion of the Barakats
cut out here.
In the Mundul river the section exposes a number of thin seams
Section in Munda Of Coal and carbonaceous shale alternating with
river. sandstones. These seams are too thin to be
of value.
In the stream which runs through Purro, west of the road, there is
| a considerable section of sandstones with some
Section in Purro river,
carbonaceous shales, and four seams containing
from 6 inches to 1 foot of coal. The coal is of good quality, but nowhere
sufficiently thick to be of value.
Thé Supahi and its tributaries south of the Doothoo hills afford
Other sections in Su. Several more sections. In the former, before it
pabi, enters the hills, there is a narrow margin of
Talchirs, above which there are coarse Barakar grits dipping at 25°, to
north-west. Above these there are somewhat conglomeratie grits, which
resemble certain beds óccupying the same relative position in the
Aurunga field. The next rocks seen are rusty Mahadeva sandstones
dipping 15°, to north. It is uncertain whether they are superposed or
are separated by a fault.
In the Ledkee stream, which joins the Supahi near its entrance to
Section in Ledkee the hills, there are rocks resembling the highest
уе beds seen in the Atee at Bijka, and with them
some others whose lithological affinities are certainly not with ordinary
Barakars. Besides the green beds, there are grits which include
angular fragments of gneiss, &é., and also fine calcareous sandstones.
Any attempt to separate these rocks as constituting a distinct
Difficuty in separating group is beset with difficulties, since there are
E nob a few sections in which the Mahadevas
( 108 )
104 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
directly overlie normal Barakars. So that were the former really
distinct, there would be a good deal of unconformity which would have
to be explained away. Regarding them as being merely local varieties
of Barakars would get over the difficulty of their not appearing in some |
sections. A dotted line on the map indicates the limits within which `
these rocks have been observed.
Still another section of Barakars is afforded by the Supahi where
Section in Supahi 1 traverses a small area of those rocks which are
river at Binda. и
cut off by a fault at the extreme west end of the
field. The following is the measured section in the Supahi at Binda
from north to south, descending, dip 10°, to north :—
Gneiss faulted.
1. Interval . . 33! q f 82%
2. Grits, part concealed, 28! bat 10 = . E 4 4 9"
З. Seam (vide assay) 25' J [8 4! 4
4 Sandstone o.c x TLLA CHE o У. 4 0
5. Seam—
Shale 0/247 |
Coal - A AD un 5 5 uy A E. ШО
6. Sandstone . : NUES EM NUS E NEN: 4 А 3' 0
7. Seam, very indistinct . : : : : 2 0"
8. Sandstone, part concealed, 50' at 1» — o > : 10' 5”
9. Seam (vide assay), 53 at 15° = . 5 : : 5 I3 8%
10. Felspathie grit, 50' t15°= . Mee. c 12' 10"
11. Carbonaceous shale, passing into grey sandstones and
grits, 33’ at 10° = . $ à : 5 g
12. Thin sandstones, with some thin m du
200' at 109 . : à E à AROS
13. Interval, 100' at 10° = . 3, ate Nx NUMOS rpm E
14. Grits = . : А : . ot NC . : 12 07
Fine-grained yellow sandstones--Talchirs.
It will he seen, on reference to the table of assays, that seams
Nos. 3 and 9 contain coal of very good quality. On the other hand,
a reference to the map will shew that, owing to the fault having brought
up the gneiss so close to the outerop, the quantity is very limited
( 104 )
HUTAR FIELD: MAHADEVA SERIES, 105
indeed. Perhaps this is the less to be regretted, since the locality is too
difficult of access ever to be of much importance.
сое 3.—MAHADEVA SERIES.
Rocks of this series, though largely developed west of the Koel, are
not now represented by any deposits in those parts of the Hutar field
which lie to the east of that river. Their general aspect, throughout
the elevated tract which extends from the west bank of the Koel,
where they rest upon a great thickness of Barakars, to the end of the
field, where they are eut off by a fault, corresponds closely with the
appearance of rocks of the same age in the Karanpura fields. The
lithological characters, too, are identical.
Owing to the difference in the thickness of the sections of the
Barakars whieh are found on the north and south, it is possible that
Possible unconform- the Mahadevas may have been let down by a fault,
ity. a portion of the Barakars having been cut out.
This appearance may, however, be attributable either to original
irregularity of deposit of the Barakars, or to unconformable superposi-
tion, the existence of which is rendered probable by the non-representa-
tion of the Raniganj and Panchet groups in this area.
The most complete section of these rocks is afforded by the Supahi,
Section in Supahi Which traverses a deeply cut gorge through the
river. mass of hills north of Purro. At the mouth of
the gorge the rusty- looking g erits and sandstones dip 15°, to north. At
about the centre of the gorge the beds flatten, and the water runs between
steep walls, 30 feet high, in which the rugged and honey-combed edges
of the beds are exposed. Pot-holes abound, and contribute not a little
to produce a striking effect. This is especially the case at the waterfall
which is fed by the Hulka stream on the west.
The scene is one of peculiar beauty, not that there is, in the dry
season atleast, a copious fall, but because the
water trickles into vast pot-holes, and flows over
the edges of these natural basins, the innermost recesses of which can be
(105
Scenery.
106 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
viewed through the pellucid waters. In the well-shaded Hulka valley
the grotesque forms of the eroded sandstones and the brilliant
hues of the vegetation, which includes ferns; a small Arum, Drosera,
grasses, mosses, &c., combine to make up a scene which is most
refreshing in March or April after the black, scorched, and dusty
jungles outside.
Towards the northern end of the gorge the beds are tilted again,
dipping west of south at an angle of 8°.
In the Bijka hill (2,479 feet) these rocks attain their maximum
Bigka hill development, though it is difficult to estimate the
thiekness exactly. The summit of the hill is
about 1,900 feet above the village. The inclination of the beds is from
one point of view only 5°. The northern face of the hill is backed by a
strong ridge of fault rock, whieh marks the position of the main bound-
ary fault. In part, then, the elevation may be due to tilted Barakars at
the base, but I think it probable that the thickness of Mahadevas cannot
be far short of 1,000 feet.
Towards the top the sandstones present a somewhat vitreous
appearance, being not unlike some forms of Vindhyan rocks. Beyond
the Bijka hill the older groups aré cut out completely, faulted junctions
between the edges of the gneiss and the Mahadevas being exposed on
the slopes. Before the Supahi is reached, a cross-
Cross-fault. i = E i
fault limits the further extension. It is probable
that a much thinned out deposit of Barakars has been here cut off.
That the Barakars were dying out here is evidenced by the fact that
only two miles further west the Mahadevas, at a level perhaps 200 feet
higher, rest directly on the gneiss. A small patch of Talchir boulder
beds at the foot of the scarp, and the Barakar and Talchir beds at Binda,
are the sole remnants of the lower groups which are left to indicate
former extension.
The outlier which in the Sitwa hill rests on a base of gneiss
spreads westwards through the level country near Budhunya. The
( 106 )
HUTAR FIELD: MAHADEVA SERIES, 107
southern and western boundaries appear to be continuations of the Bijka
and Binda faults, which would intersect one an-
Sitwa hill outlier, SEF
other near Kajuri.
I have on the map indicated the probability of the Bijka fault
being continued to Tatapani, but am as yet by no means certain that it
is so.
The lithological characters of the rocks forming this outlier are
normal, 2. e., identical with those of the adjoining main area.
( 107 .)
CHAPTER VII.
ECONOMIC RESOUCES.
SECTION 1.—Coat.
In the accompanying table I have given the results of my assays
of the specimens of coal which I collected in the three fields.
These results are completely confirmatory of the opinions which I
Shasta mente a formed in the field as to the relative merits
the coal. of the seams. The coal of Daltonganj has the
advantage of having been opened up, but I doubt if this is sufficient
to account for the difference in the percentages between it and the
Aurunga coal, and this is the more probable, since the Hutar coal has
yielded such good results.
The Daltonganj Field.
No doubt whatever exists as to the excellent quality of the coal
in this field. It has been proved, both by assays and actual experi-
ments, to have great heating power, and to be admirably adapted to
steam purposes.
Mr. Hughes’ estimate of 11,600,000 tons as the amount of available
coal is, as far as I have had opportunities of forming an opinion, a safe
minimum. Although there is good reason for believing that the coal
of this area, as in the Aurunga field, occurs in basins of limited extent,
that is to say, that it is not of equal extent with the coal-measures,
still there is a fair probability that there may be basins of coal in the
portion of the field to the south-east where the rocks are much con-
cealed by superficial deposits. This can only be ascertained by sys-
tematically conducted borings. The Singra seams too, which are not
included in Mr. Hughes’ estimate, contain coal of so good a quality that
it might very probably be worked profitably by open quarries for some
years In any case, the 11,600,000 tons would last for 50 years, at the
a The Singra coal was being used for lime-burning at the time of my visit,
( 108 )
ECONOMIC RESOURCES: COAL. 109
rate of 200,000 tons per annum, which is the amount that the projected
line and canal would be capable of carrying, according to Colonel Haig.
The average composition of the four specimens, which were in each case
taken from the coal actually stacked for consumption, amounts to—
Moisture 3:45, volatile 21:05, carbon 64:8, ash 10:7.
The Aurunga Field.
The coal which occurs in the rocks of the Raniganj group is of
too unimportant a character, whether as regards quality or thickness to
be considered as affecting the question of the amount economically avail-
able 1n this area.
The improbability of this field containing a large supply of really
Coal inferior in quali. S00d coal is very great. The appearance of the
iy. seams, and the result of the assays, both point to
this conclusion. At the same time, 16 should be remembered that there
is not a single fresh and clear section of the rocks, and that the coal
has never been quarried to the smallest extent. Of coals with an
average composition similar to that given in the accompanying tables,
I think the following quantities would be available :—
Tons.
Rajbar seams . A A 3 5 5 . 12,000,000
Toobed ER, > : : В A . 3,000,000
Jugguldugga „ . я : A ` : . 5,000,000
——
TOTAL . 20,000,000
It is unnecessary to include here any of the other localities, where I
Minor localities not have indicated the presence of coal in the pre-
included. vious pages, and on the map. Itis possible that
borings may prove the seam in the outlier at Dudhoria, or those on the
- south of the field in the Gowa section, to have some value. But dealing
only with the facts which are available, they must be omitted from
consideration at present. The obviously bad quality, or limited extent
of other seams, as at Hoochloo and north of Manjar, have been alluded
to; and these also are therefore not included.
(09 у
110 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Unless very much better qualities of coal exist in the Aurunga field than
Coal not suitable for the very best seen by me, it is manifestly impossi-
TOR at ble that iron can be manufactured on the spot.
Hutar Field.
I have already pointed out that the coal-measure rocks of this area
ИШ I e present many striking differences from those of
шеш: the Aurunga field. To this rule the coal is no
exception, as will at once be apparent by a comparison of the average
assays in the accompanying table. From the Daltonganj coal that of
Col nente with Hutar differs in containing a notably smaller pro-
that of Daltonganj. portion (7:15 per cent.) of fixed carbon, and would,
therefore, have a less heating power. The proportion of ash, 10°7 per
cent., is the same in both. On the whole, however, the Hutar coal is
quite equal to the average of Indian coals, so far as regards. quality.
Much uncertainty must attach to any estimate of quantity. Only
three seams of good quality, containing a thickness which could be
worked with profit, are known to exist; these are as follows :—
Dauri fiver section, south-east of Hurilong Р . 8 07 seam.
Hurtah river, at Toleh . ; : : : M ELE oe
Supahi river, at Binda , e i - К IS OI
It is possible, that the Dauri river and Hurtah river coals may be
No definite estimate of Continuous right across, but since there is no in-
quantity possible. tervening section exposed in the Koel, or elsewhere,
it would be most dangerous to base any calculation on the mere sup-
position. In fact, the lateral extension of both these seams being quite
unknown, it would be utterly futile to attempt any estimate of the
number of millions of tons they may contain.
That the 13 3 seam, at Binda on the Supahi contains but a very small
quantity of coal, is as.certain.as anything can be, the fault along which
the gneiss has been thrust, up occurring within a few feet of the outcrop.
I do not at.all despair of this field: being found to contain workable,
seams of value, but the facts at present available do not justify any con-
fident expression of opinion that such will certainly prove to be the case.
( Bx )
111
COAL,
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
"yere "хус AQ PokussY y
"933
“BUBU por HIM pourejs “лери
Ме = ` дәи uorum Ing ‘wrug
SIVIÁ OA} I0J poxotjs uooq рен f Suroo[ quatiq £194 © poyeutv]
*ojuuruop
"Opp onuq -9rd өләќет 393119 :рәзвпш®т
"en[tA yonu JO aq 03 30935
-хә рәјциц 003 JO st uivos SHUI | *
a "EET "8 LE "6.33 A (
8.9 “Ut SISUQUIIAAS omg Iy} JO
uorjrsoduioo esu19Av 244 É play |
mH 94) ur 3s1X9 03 umouy | | ° › ° Sumeurej[e
WLIS o[qun[va4 3sour IY} SI SL | S1946] [Mp Аләл ров 3311d ATO A
` 91nosqo uorgvururvep Н па
“OID O33KT
- з "әлї}д®д}
"880008 JO OWT sr waves в], | peorqno- 0991p оза
`0331р oun
"SIOLBL JUYSIIQ 31м рәзүвәлд8-
qaq ‘snoeuesomoy JBYMQUIOS
*893T1-
-Ád p9199]8 вптв}поә f pogeururerq
"durxoop-£q3499 ров түр. 439 À
(әтцешағц pa.) saya”
-4d рәләўүе sureguoo ‘рәјвшшет
*pojvuturer] .
*S1oÁv] Jusııq
Aepnoxit YIM ‘Buryool-Ay Avg
‘safe, 395119 pojeurumr
"sIoLe] 05129 É o3ngovag [eorqn o)
'SNXHYK3
"1800 Ioeouwiseddy
3019909219 sxoAvp inp pur qu 3raq |
"ysıppoy
* £913-JAVT
. 91x)
£018-YSIUMOIJ
D g
D €
* £013-USIDPIH
GRES)
с
£913-USIUMO X£T
: ELD CIS
Aol
юч ©“
* Koxd-ustppoeor
' Koi8-qsrppour
: A013- ABE
i ° ysıppoq
^ °` HUM
ER9)
[1]
t Larg ywq
‘usy
Jo 419399490)
2.0T
6.67
б.т
p.6
8.01
2-8
4.0T
9.08
8.21
8.4
9.8
T.8
6.81
-0T
8.6
6.01
9.46
8-61
9.97
9.78
P.ES
8-91
5.87
«DE
+96
“UsV
8.59 | 90.12
1.623 | G78
9.29 TIG
F.29 8.61
p.99 1@
8.49 eG
98.99- | .86
8.277 | 0.92%
F19 9.18
9.09 98
8.89: ‚FE
Lg 98
.89 | 8.67
vg | TAL
HER .68
“eg | 9.08
9.98 Ка
9.992 | 8.50%
9.88 «6€
9.08 9.8%
9.88 9.9%
SP Кач
p.88 6.95
.88 9.8%
2.98 8.66
“U0Q 18) |'9[BILA
SF-G
8.61
9.1
T-8
8.1
СА
¢6.
9
9.4
Р.
9.9
8.6
We}
o RR uo
>
oo |
AÑ ao |o ar oF
©
=
Doe Ro
*9109
“SLOT
DEED
. “
. [1]
“
[1j
<
* dom wyewg
“cc
. [1j
О 6
“
«
96
с
«c
[13
єс
° — dnou9 vexexeq
en.
* є
D ¢
О [1]
. ce
. “
. «€
° dnouxo (атас,
113
66
“
“
ce
лел
*UOTIBUNIOA
‘spjay-jv07 тошто т ey) woLf spvog fo shossp
‘S1609 Surxoo IIV oAOqv IYJ JO IUON—'T N
piora fueSuojpeqo 107 OÍTIDA y
v'odopg “IT Aq рәрлем 7
TVOD
vos 9.,ф 619016
Калеп) enpueq 2
E)
"ATATA
SNVINOLTIVA
PPM TIME 10] o3019A Y
JOOTA 9800] TOAN 1YUANGA
UP? on RE |
a8 ‚ET 019098 JO 6 “ON epurq
Q 08 [11 [17 «с
D Og “ON “ qeg
wet “ WMH
0 УЧУ se
WEIR „9,6 TOAT ISURT) ^
D . . LL
D 0 Г “
==
алая TYOD-AYVLAH
PORI TÍSUNINY лоу әЗеләлу
a TI €t te [1j )
*9 ‘ON 'uoroog рәдооү, |
; ' OI) „8 Suu |
-duiposoo[ “UBIUIO f JO 380A TUBINS |
я 098 y9, T AN eM SIT(T-U3Uqr f
|
б . в сс"
jo 12 113 “
чот}дәв JO TG ‘ON еде
WEIS „9 ,[ AAN Ourqng J
CTATA
Ivod VONAHAY
*ELITVIO'T
ee
—
Ip!
—
112 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
. SECTION 2.—Iron.
The iron ores fonnd in Palamow admit of a triple classification,
founded both on their mode of origin, their geological position, and on
their chemieal composition. So arranged they stand as follows :—
These occur
either in bands Crystalline
a. Pure magnetic ore .| „nd lodes in iu T
Меле шн р. More or less decom- hornblendic) nor phic
posed and altered. rocks, ог as de- | rocks,
tached crystals
in granite veins.
a. Carbonate or black ретте
shales.
au, Coal mea-
Siderite and hematite . b. Limonite or brown- \ ?- сло sures, Bara-
ish hematite. tionary | kar group.
masses
с. Red hematite . dn ceni
stones.
Bands of one or other
of these ores occur in the
Red and brown hematite . V laterite which cap the pla- > > 5 Laterite.
teaux above 3,000 feet in
elevation.
Magnetite.
From time to time specimens of pure or nearly pure magnetic ore
have been picked up by district officers and travellers, or brought in by
natives to Dehree and elsewhere from the Palamow sub-division. Such
specimens have, on being assayed, naturally yielded most favourable
results. Occasionally the localities whence these ores have been brought
have been described, on native or other irresponsible testimony, as contain-
ing inexhaustible supplies of similar ore. But what has perhaps more
than anything else tended to give rise to misconception has been the fact
CI)
ECONOMIC RESOURCES : IRON. 113
that descriptions of ores of quite distinct character have been coupled
with the assays of the magnetite, and thus conclusions have been drawn by
combining the abundance of the former with the richness of the latter,
which are not warranted by the real facts of the case.
That within the limits of the sub-division, inexhaustible deposits of
magnetite may exist is quite possible. I know of places in the soutb-
east of the Manbhoom District” where such is the case; and many of the
chief deposits of magnetite throughout India oceur in rocks of the same
. geological age as those which form the greater part of Palamow.
My observations were limited to mere superficial examination of the
ground, there being no time for opening up trenches. I believe, however,
that I have seen all the principal sources of iron within the tract under
review, and am compelled to regard it as being most improbable that
any considerable deposit exists clearly exposed. Any very remark-
able deposit other than those about to be deseribed would almost .
certainly have been brought to notice by the natives. There is ample
consolation, however, afforded by the fact that, although the ores which
have been mainly instrumental in attracting attention to Palamow are
not of great promise themselves, there are others whose quality and abun-
dance are of a most satisfactory nature. Before describing these latter,
it will be necessary to give a detailed aecount of observations made on
the several deposits of magnetite which have been visited. The follow-
ing is a list of the villages in whose vicinity these deposits respectively
occur :—
Rajhara* E . Tuppeh* Bari.
Lunkha 4 y 5 53
Kopeh, (south-west). i »
2 (south-east) . hs »
Satbarwah . Е » $
a e, g., the laterite of Neturhat.
b These are in the sub-metamorphic rocks.
* This is quite a distinct locality from Rajhara in the Daltonganj field. Itis situated
east of the Mylee river, and northwards from Satbarwah.
4 Tuppeh is a local term corresponding, I believe, to parganah.
H (ИШ?)
114 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
Нот .. .„. Tuppeh Bari.
Monodag . 5 ; „ Toree.
Hirhun or Harhunj . 25 d
Kurahi . : : E Doothoo.
Adur A К 1 dA ds
Morwaie . . : * Doorjag.
Kotam . ; d А бешаһ.
Rajhara.—1 visited this locality in company with Mr. І. R. Forbes,
Assistant Commissioner, who had previously been there, and had
brought from thence some specimens of very pure magnetite. In
a stream about ?rds of a mile north-west of the village, for a distance
of about 50 yards, flat, but weathered fragments of magnetite
occur rather abundantly seattered through the gravel. Inthe bank
of the stream there is an imperfect section of the rocks, which consist
of hornblendie and granitie gneisses with granite and quartz veins.
The strike of these beds is irregular, but the prevailing direction is from
` west-north-west to east-south-east, and the dip vertical. We failed
to find any sign of the ore im situ, though it appeared to occur in
so limited a section of the stream bed. 'The legitimate conclusion
seemed to be that the fragments were the sole remnant of a nest or band
of ore which had been eroded from its environment of hornblendie gneiss.
Leaving the stream and crossing some raviney broken ground westwards
towards a small hill of hornblendie gneiss, similar fragments were found
here and there at various levels through the detrital soil, from the beds
of the ravines up to the top of the lower detrital slope ofthe hill, but
there were neither fragments nor ore 27 situ discernible on the hill itself.
I am, under the cireumstances, inclined to believe that these frag-
ments now exposed in the channels are proximately derived from the re-
assortment of old detritus and not directly from any exposed vein or layer.?
The toughness and power of resisting disintegration, together with the
high specific gravity, would sufficiently account for the survival of the
^ Magnetite occurs sometimes in nests or veins, sometimes in apparent beds which
underlie with the metamorphie rocks.
( 114 ,)
ECONOMIC RESOURCES : IRON. 115
fragments of ore long after the other materials had been washed away ;
these fragments might conceivably be a remnant left after the erosion of
many hundreds of feet of rock.
From the tabular character of most of the fragments, which are rarely
more than two inches thick and more commonly only one and-a-half, it
seems probable that the layer was a thin one; and it is further probable
from the dips of the rocks and of the veins of quartz and granite that its
underlie was steep.
However promising this spread of fragments along a line of strike
may appear to casual observation, it is, under the cireumstances, not such
as to justify a belief in the existence of an inexhaustible supply, though
such may exist hidden away under the surface.
Lunkha.—In a small ridge north of the village of Lunkha there is a
considerable abundance of fragments of magnetite. One irregular block
measured upwards of half a cubic foot in content.
There being no higher ground in the immediate vicinity, these frag-
ments must necessarily mark the position of the original outcrop, which
extends at least as far westwards as the Semah road, but I did not see any
sign of its being exposed in the section in the bed of the Aurunga. This
ore is very pure magnetite. Should occasion arise, it would not bea very
arduous undertaking to sink a few trenches at right angles to the strike.
These could not fail to find the vein, if any of it remains to be mined.
Корей, south-west.—One mile to the south-west of Kopeh, I found,
in the ravines, a large rounded fragment of magnetite about the size of a
man's head, which had probably been derived from anest in the horn-
blendie rocks occurring in that neighbourhood. None was found in situ.
Корей, south-east.—The iron-workers at Kopeh, though living close to
the Lunkha ore, do not make any use of it, and when I shewed them a very
fine specimen of magnetite, said that it would not answer for their purposes,
The ore they do use consists of small semi-decomposed-crystals of
magnetite derived from disintegrated granite veins, and laboriously
(BB )
116 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
sifted from the sand aceumulated in ravines near the Ledee stream
south of the Aurunga. This ore has to be ground between stones to a
fine powder before being smelted ; hence, perhaps, the name бай, (sand).
Satbarwah.—To the south-west of Satbarwah, near Rubdan, on the
slope of a small hill,there are traces of ore. These are mostly of de-
composed and altered magnetite. Although a road crossing the hill
gives a complete section of the hornblendic gneisses and granite of which
it is formed, I could find no nest or bed of ore. This ore is not used
at present, there being no Aguriahs in the vicinity.
Hosir.—The ore used at Hosir seemed to be similar in character and
origin to that south-east of Kopeh. I did not, however, visit the locality
whence it was brought. The iron-smelters at Gowa employ, I believe,
the same ore.
Monodag.—In the stream south-west of Monodag, which is to the north
north-east of Mooroop, there are some bands of magnetite seen in the
gneiss. These are not of sufficient thickness to be of much importance.
Hirhun or Hurhunj.—In a stream near this village, when marching |
up to the Daltonganj field with Mr. Bauerman in 1873, we found a
few small fragments of magnetite. There was no evidence of the
existence of a large deposit.
Kurahi.—This locality is situated in the centre of the extensive group
of hills south of Cheinpur, being about four miles south of Chandoo.
The ore is used by the smelters of Chorhut.
Whether there are other localities besides the one I was taken to ·
I cannot say, but all that the people knew of was a shallow hole in
the middle of a standing crop of ráhar dhál, and which penetrated
into an amorphous mass of decomposed ore. A large fragment of
undecomposed ore had been thrown on one side, as being apparently
unsuited for the smelter's purpose. In the cleared spaces on either side
of the field, where the rocks were partly exposed, l could find no
traces of the extension of the deposit, which is, therefore, probably a
mere nest in the hornblendie gneiss and of limited extent.
( 11622)
ECONOMIC RESOURCES: IRON. 117
Adur.—Mr. D. Smith describes some ore which he examined
about two miles north of Chorhut in the vieinity of Adur, in the
following words: it is “a very partia] deposit of magnetic ore of the very
richest quality, but so limited in quantity as to be of no importance."
Morwaie.—On the faulted boundary of the Hutar coal-field south of
Morwaie there is, in conjunction with some fault rock, an outcrop of
magnetite much altered and decomposed, principally into red hematite.
It is imperfectly exposed, and I cannot speak definitely as to quantity ;
but I failed to meet with it again in any of the cross-sections of the
line of faulted contact.
Kotam.—Near the junction of the Kaliburna river with the Koel and
also close to Kotam, small fragments of magnetite, some superficially
altered to brown and some to red hematite, are found scattered about
with fragments of vein quartz. Save at Chipars, there are, I believe, no
smelters in the Semah valley at present. Several families of Aguriahs
have had to give up their trade owing to forest conservancy having put
a stop to the manufaeture of charcoal.
From the foregoing it will be seen, with reference to the commer-
cial aspect: of the question, that two conditions, which are of primary
importance, Ist, the existence of an abundance of ore—a practically
inexhaustible supply—and 2ad, the possibility of working such an ore
by a simple system of mining, are not distinctly afforded by any of
the abovenamed deposits; and, in the absence of such evidence, it
will perhaps be, in the long run, more profitable to direct attention
rather to those ores which, though less rich, are abundant and can be
raised without any difficulty whatever.
The magnetites, if found near the line of transport, would always be
of value for “fettling” and, so far as the supply would go, for mixing with
the less rich ores.
Carbonates and carbonates altered into hematites.
This heading has been adopted, as it is most probable that, notwith-
standing the present rareness of carbonates, most, if not all, of the
GBBT >)
118 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
ores? about to be described originally existed as such. At present we
find that the ores commonly associated with coal-measures consist of
brown or red hzmatites, or mixtures of both.
According to Mr. Hughes? report on the Daltonganj field, it would
seem that within its limits there are no deposits of iron ore of import-
ance. In certain parts of the Daltonganj field shaly and concretionary
fragments of ore may be seen strewing the surface. And from the
traces of slags it is apparent that iron has beer manufaetured from these
ores. Such accumulations are, however, quite consistent with a great
poverty of the deposit; and all experience shews that much reliance
should not be placed on such apparent evidence of abundance.
In the Hutar field, as has been already indicated in the account
of the coal-measures of that area, there are numerous deposits of iron-
stones, but since it is believed that none of these deposits are sufficiently
extensive to justify the hope that the establishment there of iron works
would have a favourable result, it will be unnecessary in this Economie
account to recapitulate the details regarding that area.
In the Aurunga field and its neighbourhood, however, there is an
undoubted abundance of good ore which is most favourably situated as
regards limestone flux, if not as regards fuel.
Aurunga field.—Since from the inferior quality of the coal it is not
likely that the iron ores would ever be smelted on the spot, the Rajbar
ores are less conveniently situated than those which are found in the outher
near Chiru. The latter, as has been shewn, are sufficiently abundant to
meet all possible requirements, and their quality is shewn in the assays
given in the accompanying table. A very important point regarding these
ores too is, that since they occur near the surface and could be easily
worked, no expensive mining establishment need be maintained. The
same remark applies to the limestone. This would not be the case with
the magnetite ores, supposing them even to be vastly more abundant
a Possibly some of the concretiouary masses were never carbonates.
ЕУ)
Á
ECONOMIC RESOURCES : IRON. 119
ut
than they appear to be. "There remains only to be diseussed the means
of conveyanee of these ores to the fuel.
The question of the expedieney of construeting a line of railway to
connect the canals with the Palamow coal-fields being under considera-
tion and report by the Publie Works Department,itis unnecessary for
me to do more than add a few lines on the subject, and this the more
particularly, as I have no personal knowledge of the comparative merits
of the different routes which have been proposed.
From what has gone before, it will be apparent that, in so far as
I have examined the country, I am committed to the opinion that the
only localities: where there are iron ores and limestone suitable in all
respects for iron manufacture are situated in the Aurunga field and its
. outlier; and that the coal which is most likely to be suitable for smelt-
ing these ores and for steam purposes is that which is found in the
Daltonganj field.
The connection of the Daltonganj field with the East Indian line
is then the most important and primary part of the project, and that
this should be effected by means of aline from Dehree and thence
onwards by the canals seems a necessary conclusion. But it has been
proposed to extend the line from Gya to the coal-field vi the Mohur
valley. Into the diseussion ofthe comparative merits of these schemes
lam unable to enter, and it only remains for me to point out that if
iron is to be made, the ores and limestones of the Aurunga field will
have to be carried to the Daltonganj coal, or vice versé. Probably
the former would be the less expensive plan, as the coal and iron would
have to be carried to and fro respectively, while in the former, the ore
and lime would simply have to be drawn from the Aurunga field and
smelted at the coal mines.
Roughly speaking, the distance of the Aurunga field from the Daiton-
Distance of iron from ganj coal mines vid the valley of Ње Amanut
PL would be about 50 miles. The probability of its
being possible to carry the ore with profit for this distance by a specially
(119! )
д un P at
130 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
constructed line, or by any other means of transport, seems to be some-
what slender, but I must leave it to others to decide this question. It .
depends upon the alignment adopted for the Gya-Daltonganj line
whether some reduction would mot be possible in the length required
for the special branch to the ores. |
Laterite.
The position of the excellent ores which are found at an elevation
of 3,600 feet in the laterite of the Neturhat plateau renders them
absolutely valueless from an economic point of view. A glance at the
accompanying general map will be sufficient to shew the nature of
the physical difficulties in the country surrounding the Tuppeh Semah
in which the Neturhat plateau is situated.
Much simplification of the questions at issue will ensue by omitting
all such localities from consideration.
I shall conclude this section by giving a brief sketch of the present
condition of the native iron works in the area.
Native IRON WORKS.
A photograph, for which I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. T. F.
Peppe, has rendered it possible to give here a more life-like representa-
tion of the process of smelting, as praetised by the Aguriahs, than has
hitherto been published. In the lithographie reproduetion of this
photograph, M. Jules Schaumburg’s artistie hand, which has done so
much for the illustration of these volumes, will be recognized.
Although the direct process by which malleable iron is produced in
native furnaces has often been described, and now finds a place in works
on metallurgy, I venture to think that a few remarks on the subject,
the result of my own observations, will not be inappropriate here.
I have already, on a previous page, discussed the ethnology of the
various tribes connected with the manufacture and working of
iron.
( 120 )
ENCON X Nod SHSLTSWS моу HYIHVSV >
үгү A ang UU AE yo e
pi sei ADU
peti miri mu
RES TA S ItO WIN : | , | "оло ст mouwyaT “тре ff
м - PAINE OA /\ ДЫ NS ANIOS OS
— к "EL x E стын 3 а Л E * Д è =
УТЕ. ji A
07 Ера
- ECONOMIC RESOURCES: TRON. 121
The furnaces of the Aguriahs are generally erected under some old
tamarind or other shady tree on the outskirts of
Dimensions of furnaces, à :
a vilage, or under sheds in a hamlet where only
Aguriahs dwell, and which is situated in convenient proximity to the
ore or to the jungle where the charcoal is prepared. The furnaces
are built of mud, and are about three feet high, tapering from below
upwards, from a diameter of rather more than two feet at base to
eighteen inches at top, with an internal diameter of about six inches,
the hearth being somewhat wider. Supposing the Aguriah and his
family to have collected the charcoal and ore, the latter has to be prepared
before being placed in the furnace.
Three varieties of ore are recognized, viz. :—
Bali = Magnete.
Biji = Hematites from coal-measures.
Dherhur= Hxmatites from laterite.
Bali is first broken up into small fragments by pounding, and is
then reduced to a fine powder between a pair of millstones. The
hamatites (Biji and Dherhur) it is not usual to subject to any other
preliminary treatment besides pounding. |
A bed of charcoal having been placed in the hearth, the furnace is
filled with charcoal and then fired, The blast is
' produced by the usual pair of kettledrum-like
bellows, which are worked by the feet as in the accompanying illustration,
the heels of the operator acting as stoppers to the valves. The blast
is conveyed to the furnace by a pair of bamboo twyeres, and has to be
kept up. steadily without intermission for from 6 to 8 hours. From _
time to time ore and fuel are sprinkled on the top of the fire, the
proportions ‘used not being measured, but probably the operators are
guided by experience as to the quantities of each which produce the best `
results. From time to time the slag is tapped off by a hole pierced
a few inches from the top of the hearth. Ten minutes before ihe con-
elusion of the process, the bellows are worked with extra vigour and the
supply of ore and fuel from above is stopped. The clay luting of
(ШОШ)
Blowing in.
122 BALL: GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
the hearth is then broken down, and the ball, or giri, consisting of semi-
molten iron, slag and charcoal, is taken out and
Blowing out. B :
immediately hammered, by which a considerable
proportion of the included slag which is still in a state of fusion is
squeezed out.
In some cases the Aguriahs continue the further process, until after
$ various reheatings in open furnaces and hammer-
Refining, E i
ing, they produce clean iron fit for market; or even
at times they work it up themselves into suitable utensils. Not un-
frequently, however, the Aguriahs’ work ceases with the production
of е giri, which passes into the hands of the Lohars. Four annas is a
common price paid for an ordinary sized girt, and
Price of crude iron. :
as but two of these can be made in a very hard
day's work of 15 hours’ duration, and a considerable time has also to be
spent on the preparation of ore and charcoal, the profits are small. The
fact is, that although the actual price which the iron fetches in the
market is high, the profits made by the mahajans, and the immense dis-
proportion between the time and labour expended and the outturn, both
combine to leave the unfortunate Aguriah in a miserable state of
poverty.
The priee varies with the quality of the finished iron. But the
average prices at which the merchants of Seraidih
Prices of refined iron. E i
and Cheinpur respectively purchase are 5 and 6
pasiri (36 cutcha seers), say 50 lbs., per rupee.
In the Karanpura field I was told that the price was Rs. 9 a
tangi = 4 cutcha maunds, that would be about Rs. 3 per pucka maund,
а much higher figure.”
a At Nowatand, in the Karanpura field, the prices of giris by weight were—
Rs.
3 cutcha maunds for . : 5 : . . 1 in advance.
21021 „ 25 > . : 5 : 1 on delivery.
b Owing to conflieting, and often deliberately untruthful statements, and the varying
values of weights and measures, it is difficult to obtain perfectly reliable statistics on these
points.
( 122 )
ECONOMIC RESOURCES : IRON. 123
At Dehree I believe the merchant receives Rs. 9 for a pucka maund.
This is a very high price indeed = Rs. 252 per ton.
It remains only to give a list of the localities where iron is now
manufactured—at present in Palamow and Toree, so far as I have been
able to ascertain.*
Palamow—
Village. , Tuppeh. Number of furnaces.
Hosir З К > . Bari 1 °
Gowa Я А г Я 35 1
Kopeh . : 5 BaD Mas 3
Hurilong . Е : . Durjag 2
Morwaie . : А : s 3
Hetle . 5 E : T 10
Hutar . 5 . Doothoo 2
Aror A EN S Н 5 6
Korom Toleh > 10
Titaro or Toleh. : д ГА 3?
Binda . А А : " P
Chorhut . : е : 5» Р
Neturhat . : : . Simah 2 seen; others reported.
Chiparo . ; N 5 33 Р
Khugon . : : . Buskhol ?
Toree—
Olerpat J
Chitag 2
Balunuggur 2
Rajbar" 1
Bejrah 4
Kurmahi . 1 : : М : Р
Ghootam . ; А 5 ; : È
Nuwada . А F ; А и р
A list supplied to me from Daltonganj proved so inaccurate that I only give the
names of places where I have actually seen furnaces.
b This is the only furnace excavated in a bank of clay which I have seen in this
area,
(ООЗ 1)
GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS.
D
.
BALL
124
* . 0731р ота . LI 113 [11 + LI ۰ * . WTO '#@
'°ввәтәпүел Äfgegoag | ° ° pavas 9800] se punog 4 |* * 0341p oma c “ ке о YAWA eg “EZ
, Ш 0931p оза . LI 6€ 4€ О 2 е а LI "леон ec
*oyryeuranq pot
*peurej19oseun сшкшу x * моол еу UITA SINn000 | ogur рәләуе A[jred “931390St pr : E “ 5 $ : 2 d * epAO[Y ‘IZ
*ojtgou wur
Jo jisodop Suispuoid jsou eu? Ss! SL ° — * oyp оза I od ) ru M = re оен 07
“2918 OPIM V дәло UMS 910 JOSJUOWSELT ° * отр ота: j * ота | e 8 ? s s $ * yodoy 1890 *egxuerp ‘6I
= L L 6€ “ * X9AT 29 К € f .
DUUM 5 TIAIA PAMW Jo ISCH 10U! “ST
*pourej1ooseun eouvpunqy ur spueq pue sepo[ enden] | * E OHT | Q : 5 G «t : * 3epouom JO 3890A-qqnog ‘ZT
А LEE
ct D D “ “ . g = 0
'sqermsy oq £q paoms | E d EO 1 py Ө
вт mq *en[eA [ero1euuur00 OU JO SI BINT * 2 2 SUI9A .ogrueıd Uy | * 9 oa = EN (6 ES : * gedoyx jo 3894-quog ‘97
: | *Sx901 orpue[quaoq | e ‘ощалот
*juq1oq) јо sxeqorp Aq PAJJIWIS ur SPUBq рое sepo[ Awnsau] | * f eqnouseur ənd A[1t0N |) -2J901 ло әпүеуѕкло |“ ' ost) JO yyıou TUEINYH “FL
:вцезо5у әц} Aq pas * D © Q d : ‚ : әзиц®шец UMOAIT Qon : © : : * цәтот Woloy “El ein
DIS opozar JO әле and ‘g 09 T :вәздешец UMOL] | se ER e З uta a ase oorqsooH aa >
*80 O QUITA 94} UI 10990 959 3 , ! : ә Я : 7 E И 3899-93006 SINH "IL
N JO 43rurora ot} ur UL peppeg |pue рәх jo suomnexouoo Apurg tn a o : avxexeg |“ ә8вүпА JO дупо *uvA9q]OX. “OL 83
"NLA qonur JO oq 03. See
SPIOY-[809 ey} шолу ACME Јер 00} Sino
„до Inq ‘aro Juepunge pue juo[[ooxo uy | * y 2 * f рәррәя
"әпүвл Jo әд 03 әпер |(* озир oya ш E y У E = : d 2 9311030 : Н E + ° qeqinjon "
-unge do Apem Juarıygns тим t 0731р oyaq 0 : : "әзїў®шәц UMOIT 258 : : : Е р : ==! PUE 8 a
AN990 30u Op “sano poos uznou; 'eseu] | <: әпоўвривв ur 4100013912000 | * ' воуувшәц имо ров por G.F С G : cc 0 3 : : : 99]H 'Z IE
: $ oud |" 2 SC UMOIH £.69 * р : 2 y yermoypurs JO 1889 SINH 9 J È
AN E E. POPPI оцдоо atm "pum Nd Des E. « a ee,
¿30 дәл} TIM “PUTA org { a o : (o 9 а : с * erm 9
пол 30J "jqnop ou “uomisod дәйолй |: Ч p o d 3 * әуцтшац pay nee : Н т s : G р В E GERE 7 | a
aq} “тиц pue ınddnunpg uooAjoq "eser. E
wore SuriÁ]jno oy} ur4nooo Je ƏSL | * è 0331р оза s ы 2 *ejnmeuram usog [362 : y f “ JO q10u 1019098 TIAM 206d Z dà
"ony a
-onijs 20013910009 *рәррә |“ * вәўт}вшец UMOIQ PUB рә @.6Р : : y wyewg |' : : * ШИК ‘I J
> —аяхүб8у:
D . Р "NONI #0
SX VIL HAT HONSHH1000 HO ACO] 340 10 ANVN SDYZNZONXq *NOILVYNUOT 'ALITYOO'[
"тошоо т иі NYS ut pauzupvo рир 091027100 SOLQ UOLT Jo чәјораруо Burmoys 21901;
ECONOMIC RESOURCES : LIMESTONE, 195
SECTION 3.—LIMESTONES.
Little remains to be added to what has been said of the limestones
when describing the erystalline rocks. So far as quantity and quality
go, the limestones on the west of the Aurunga field are eminently
suitable for use as a flux for the iron ores. I fully expect that they
will be found traceable from the position I have indicated north-eastwards
in the direction of the village of Echak. This would bring them into
nearer proximity with the iron ores of the outlier (vzde map).
The other calcareous deposits alluded to in the course of the
preceding pages will probably not prove to be of economic value. But
the crystalline limestone near Sattarwah may contain better portions
than that from which the sample was taken.
SECTION 4.— LEAD AND COPPER.
The only lead ore I have seen from this part of the country
consisted of weathered fragments of galena, which were picked up
on the surface not far from Bankhap three miles north of Balumath.
When passing that way I did not know of the occurrence, and had
no subsequent opportunity of visiting the locality. І received the
samples from the Sub-Inspector of Police at Balumath. At Hesatu,
about 14 miles to the north-east of Bankhap and within the limits of
the Hazaribagh distriet, galena was many years ago reported to occur.
I visited the locality, but found that a series of excavations had been
made which had destroyed all trace of the outerop, so that there was no
opportunity of forming any opinion as to its character.
Some traces of copper were found by Mr. Forbes in a well sunk in
the station of Daltonganj. A notice of the fact will be found in Mr.
Forbes’ Settlement Report. A few traces of the copper carbonates were
to be seen in the heaps of stone near the well at the time of my visit.
(OE...)
APPENDIX.
THE TATAPANI COAL-FIELD.
Although but littleis known regarding the field upon which the
above name has been conferred, there is no doubt that it covers a wide
extent of country, and is not improbably in direct connection with the
traets of coal-measure and younger formations which are known to
exist on the borders of Mirzapore and Rewah, and in Chung-Bookhar,
Koria and other parts of Sirguja. Should this surmise prove to be
correct, there would be an area within the limits of the northern districts
of Sirguja alone of, probably, 2,000 square miles of. Gondwana rocks.
The firs& and only published allusion to this field that I know of
is to be found in the account of Captain Franklin's remarks on the
Palamow coal-field “On the 5th of May,” (1830) we are told,
“Captain Franklin reported his discovery of coal at a place called
Chergurh in the district of Sireuja.”
“ This coal was of superior quality, being much more bituminous than
the Singrah coal, but being situated in a mountainous and jungly
country, and the navigability of the Kunhur river being doubtful, the
prospect of the discovery proving useful was slender." This discovery
was alluded to by Dr. McClelland in the Coal Committee’s report.
From the mention of the Kunhur as affording a possible means of
transport for this coal, I am inclined to believe that Captain Franklin’s
Manpur should be identified with a place of that name which is marked
on the Atlas sheet, 14 miles west of Tatapani; butit may perhaps be
a wholly different locality, since it is spoken of in the Coal Committees
report as being 8 or 10 miles west of the Ramgurh hill in Lukanpur
which is about the position of the Gej river,a tributary of the Husdoo,
where there is reason to believe coal-measures do occur.
a Gleanings in Science, vol. ii, p. 218. b Calcutta, 1838, р. 69.
( 126)
TATAPANI COAL-FIELD. 127
The position of Chergurh would settle the point, but so far I have
been unable to find that place on the maps.
In the year 1866 Mr. Medlicott visited the eastern end of this
field near the hot springs, and noted the presence of both Barakars
and upper Panchets (Mahadevas), as is indicated on his manuscript
route map.
After I had completed the examination of the area occupied by the
Aurunga and Hutar coal-fields but little time remained for carrying on
examination on the western side of the Kunhur; however, I was enabled
to pay a flying visit to Tatapani. Ona previous page I have given an
aecount of my observations on the hot springs.
Besides the Barakars and Mahadevas I found a narrow margin of
. Talehirs on the east of the field, I saw no coal seams of value in the
neighbourhood of Tatapani, nor did the people I interrogated seem to
know of the existence of any.
Government Central Pres8,—No. 6 S. б. S.—31-8-78,— 500.
MEMOIRS
UOTE BR OF THE
your * *
OGICAL SURVEY _
MOM ee Ж OF | |
EN DA M u "n
м. ч >,
j E
Е dw |
nb А N
У
“5
» 4
»
à je í
v.
x =
3 Ай
u
.
»
1
'
ў ^
r T >
۲ ~
.
»
E 14
VOLS Xy, Рт 2.
IN COUNCIL.
CALCUTTA:
PRINTED FOR THE GOYERNMENT OF INDIA,
SOLD AT THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE,
en OF SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING,
AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS,
LONDON: TRÜBNER & CO.
MDOCCL XXX.
| CALCUTTA:
p, | OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING. |
188 ў
CONTENTS.
Parr L—GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA.
PAGE,
Physical features 1
Crystalline area : : : , ; А : : Я ; : 3
Old gneiss : : 5 А : : ó ; : > : 5 3
Crystalline schists . 4
Granitic rocks 7
The sub-metamorphic rocks . : : : А : a : : SUE
The Gondwána series y : : ; : 5 : - ЖЕЗ?
Talchirs (Lower ina. А > : : se : : 4c MUI
-Barakars $5 У 5 : с à Р a А Тао
Raniganj » - 4 : : Ё : : 4 m yi
Panchets 5 - ; : : : : E е,
Mahadevas (Upper endend) M NE Cte BO MEHR PHONE;
Trap ^ > 2 ; 5 5 : : 5 : Р . UND
Recent S с ; o > - : З i . : 26
Parr IL—DESCRIPTION OF SECTIONS IN THE COAL-
FIELDS.
I— THE EASTERN BASIN (TATAPANI, GIDHI, &c,) BELONGING TO THE
KUNHUR RIVER SYSTEM.
A.—TATAPANI AND SENDUR RIVER SECTIONS . А 3 : ; Ter.
1.— Section along the nullah north of Bithiau o 5 5 3 . 28
D 55 n » south of Agar-t à 30
8— » in the nullahs between Chechra and No. 326 Н. Т. nor op of
Мид , o . : . ч : 3 : EJZ
B.— BANKI RIVER SECTIONS 3 . 34
4.— Section along the nullah east of Gidhi 2 in de Banki river to
Panri > 34
5.— Section along the ullas left D m of Bonbi river west of
Ситта . : : » : > : : : le
vi ‘eon CONTENTS. E Age
i
6.— Section along the nullah north of Meguli . o В р E
o EAS » o» Mullahs between Bagra and Lawa e Rb SAI uc
— „ 4n the Sita Chua nullah . SSMUS : : .
= „ in the nullahs between Gargori and Nowadih A А
II.—THE WESTERN BASINS, BELONGING TO THE RER RIVER SYSTEM.
A.—IRIA RIVER SECTIONS. |
10.— Regai nullah . А A Я i Me rid
11.— Sections in the Ledho НААС me. VL MEN. Be s
19.— ,, between Karamdiha and No. 506 Н. T., including the Tower :
Ledho, Charki and Kundkepi nullahs . : : B
13— وو along the Balsotha nullah and adjoining area westwards
B.—MorNE RIVER SECTIONS.
14.— Section in the Morne nullah between Kandia Dod Sud e
15.—Sections of the Lundra hills . А А E А : 1
16— ,„ inthe Suknai nullah . : А à А
17.— ,„ alonf the nullah north-west of Ranka E аа
18— وو in the Budatand nullah A a a : F s
19.— „ south of Manpur . : : N $ | Я
20.— وو in the Morne near Parasdiha . : )
21— 5» in the Suidad, Kubia and Andherua an 2 the ad-
joining country . . а . : . ce :
C.—MAHÁN RIVER SECTIONS, BETWEEN THE TAMOR SCARP AND THE
METAMORPHIC RIDGE SOUTH OF IT . А TADOS :
бар NOISE EO
г ص po pa po pe
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Мар. > . to face page
Mahadeva escar pment of the "Ramos hill, valley of the Mahán
river.
Trap-dyke, filling up le in Марста К AMAN in te
Dhursot nullah . М : -
Erosion in Barakar sandstone of Suidad pus .
Profile of the metamorphie series between the Chunderpur
Päts and Tätapäni.
Profile of the metamorphie series of Assandiah.
Pot-holes in Talchir sandstone, north of Mitgain.
Talchir boulder-bed and shales, south-west of Kandia.
Section between Mahadeva escarpment, west of Agar-t and the
metamorphic rocks, east of Pathalpedi.
Section in nullahs between Chechra and No. 326 H. T.
Section in the nullah east of Gidhi and along the Banki
nullah to Panri. |
Section along the nullahs left and right of the Banki river,
west of Chumra.
Section between Gargori and Nowadih.
Section between Kandia and the Morne nullah.
Section between Pipra hill and Kothi village.
Section through the Mahadevas between Turpa and Khond.
Section between the Tamor plateau and the Mahän valley.
Mahadeva escarpment of the Tamor plateau (south of Ram-
kola), with intrusive sheet of trap.
Profile of Mahadeva hills as seen from Bara Barthi.
Mahadeva hills, with trap-dyke, looking northwards from
Pasaion.
PAGE,
25
60
$
LE}
ES Iren
DU
Griesbach
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.
Memoirs Vol. XV.
ag
"an бага
e.
2 uch er = y
N Re
5
1485.
RAMKOLA ano TATAPANI COAL-FIELOS,
=
Scale 1 Inch — 4 Miles.
22186]
Ja
rela
EN
А СР
5;
Ў, гуна.
Duman
o—~_
апга
oli Mark
o
Semar-t| ,
° Мазар;
EMT
2 Schandora
Se
Sfuthar }
Aıatoa ў
“borgi 2) Phutwurof
" e "0
3 Blanaura®
Y Bana
afara Vr Tuid
ага? Map UN Dahdinaro д ih Jabor N 1 Taradih
ee: ше je. > AN n 5 : o ү ) Pary ES o
ре? aldhoa — BarkaMohar! Tanger Mhari Mangarllare : | Banaklra
4 / j
Jogitangar
“o
SE
T
ә,
“дагы.
mF
\
GONDWANA паман
“ B
Seni
ТапшайКаты | |. одай
^ x
INDEX
Deccan trap.
Upper. Mabadeva
Raniganj..
Jm |
Barakar
Talchir
Submetamorphic
Schists
OERE
Gneissic
Granitic
Trappean
(intrusive)
Coal
m
Dips
Faults
\Bhasmumnda
Yo
БА
FPutsura
rt
a? s Makept m
гота
T e
Taken from sheets 89 and 104 of th
itlas of India,
PRINTED AT THE SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Calcutta, Juiy 1879
Memoirs Vol. XV.
INDEX
Deccan ap... Ж
Upper.......... Mahadeva. _.. i Tag
GONDWANA.. anche er Toe]
Raniganj..... Bet I f
» Barakar m ae ГУ ЕТ
P EC CAEN salchir. E
N a el oa à Submetamorphic NN
NC fue. | |
ЧО ООЛУ ХУШ, IN
SUMME à бейта}, M gi
| i ae ж. 7 8 1 y
(Сва Еа ШШШ
CTD
КЕД Ө fa Trappean......
AU (intrusive)
Coal a
Faults.
MEMOIRS
. OF THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.
GEOLOGY OF THE RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS:
C. І. GRIESBACH, F.G.S.,
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA,
PARAT 71.
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
THE area examined during the season 1878-79 is situated between
latitudes 23° 30’ and 23° 55’, longitudes 82° 50' and 84^, comprising the
north-eastern parganas of the Sirguja state, with some portions of
South Rewa, and may roughly be defined as being the area between the
rivers Kunhur and Rer. Within these limits the coal-field is bounded on
the sonth by the great gneissic plateau of Chota Nagpur, the latter rising
to about 3,000 to 4,000 feet, with steep escarpments facing the north.
Originally the deposits belonging to the Gondwána series may have
extended up to that long line of escarpment ; but, the coal-bearing rocks
having gradually subsided, the surface of the present lower levels has under-
gone extensive denudation by the Kunhur and Rer river systems, and now
only patches of Talchirs and sandstones of doubtful age, filling up here
(2199/5)
Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. XV, Pt. 2,
9 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
and there hollows in the metamorphie rocks, indicate the former extent
of those deposits.
From a distance scarcely to be distinguished from the flat-topped
eneiss plateaux, are the Mahadeva sandstonerhills, so conspicuous towards
the central west of the coal-field, forming, as they do, vast table mountains
oceupying the centre and composing the main portion of the Gondwána
area in the vicinity of the Rer river.
I have only examined the basin between the rivers Kunhur and Rer,
where I found the actual coal-measures exposed in patches lying within
the areas of denudation of four tributaries of these rivers, and, for
convenienee of description, I divide the coal-field therefore into two
groups, namely—
I. The eastern basin, belonging to the Kunhur river system, com-
prising—
A. The Tatapáni and Sendur river sections.
B. The Banki river sections.
II. The western basins, belonging to the Rer river system, compris-
Шо
A. The Iria river sections.
BT Mone ШУ E:
a z
Ci марап; 3
With the exception of a few miles of natural boundaries along the
eastern and south-western limits of the coal-field, the latter is brought
alongside of the metamorphic rocks by extensive lines of fault, here and
there of remarkably straight direction, along which, as is to be expected,
hot springs occur. The most remarkable ones are situated in the vicinity
of the Tatapáni village near the Kunhur river ; Mr. V. Ball has mentioned.
the occurrence of these springs and gives the temperature of some
of them.!
! Mem. Geol. Surv., Vol, XV, Pt. I, p. 22.
( 180 ) |
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 3
Between Tharni and Lurghuta (one mile south of Tatapáni) I could
traee evidences of a great fault, which is very well
shown near the junction with the sedimentary
rocks, where a ridge of fault-rock runs in the line of dislocation.
Fault.
The hot spring of Ganduáni is also situated
Hot spring. E M
in this line.
CRYSTALLINE AREA.
Most of the time available had to be devoted to the coal-bearing
Division of crystalline rocks : it was therefore only possible to examine the
rt erystalline rocks of the neighbourhood cursorily ;
but at least three great groups could be distinguished, namely, the oldest
gneiss formation, crystalline schists, and granitic rocks.
The old gneiss formation.
This is met with in two areas: first, forming the great Chota Nagpur
Pats and their slopes to the north, and second, the
area north of the coal-field in the vicinity of the
Rer river. The latter is probably connected under ground with the
gneiss of the Pats, merely denuded to a lower level (about 1,400 feet)
and in parts covered by younger rocks.
Gneiss.
The usual variety of rocks composing the Pats is a coarse, porphyritic
gneiss, with bands of hornblendie rocks, here and
there passing into a hornblendic gneiss traversed
by numerous veins of pink pegmatite and of epidote.
The profile of the Pats is characteristic enough, rising more or less
abruptly into plateaux, and distinguished from the escarpments of the
Vindhyans or the upper Gondwänas by more gradual slopes and irregular
outlines, all covered by dense jungles. |
I may here mention the occurrence of rock-laterite with trap
Occurrence of laterite ON all the Páts as already described in former
with trap. Memoirs.
Lithological character.
The gneissic area north of the coal-field on the right bank of the
(day)
4 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
Rer river is somewhat different in general aspect. Though I believe it to
N | belong to the same formation as that which forms
Gneiss of the Rer river. с
the Päts of the south, this gneiss never rises to any
great height, being confined to an almost uniform level of about 1,400 feet:
and less, only here and there rising in isolated rocks a few feet above the —
denuded surface of the country—the whole, as indeed the whole of the area
examined, being covered by tree jungle. In this stretch of gneissic
rocks we find the picturesque falls of Rokas Kas
of the Rer river. The fall is not less than about
S0 to 100 feet, and the water rushes through a series of narrow chasms
Rokas Kas Falls.
to join in a rock-surrounded pool below, the whole forming by far the
most striking pieture in this part of the country.
Crystalline schists.
These form two belts, one south, one north of the coal-field, and are
certainly distinet from the main gneissie area. | :
Descending from the great Chota Nágpur plateau in the direction of
Tatapáni, say vid the Chanderpur road, we traverse at first an undulating
denuded area still belonging to, and connected with, the gneiss of the Páts.
Anticlinal folds in But before reaching the Gondwána basin of Tata-
IR páni, we come across one or more anticlinal rolls,
composed of metamorphie schists, apparently faulted against the gneiss
and certainly faulted against the Gondwána rocks between Tatapáni and
Khijuria-t.
I have shown the sequence of these rock groups in fig. lof Plate I.
Standing on the slopes skirting the Gobra hill (3,220 feet) south of the
deserted village of Gugra, we observe gneiss of a porphyritie character
in situ, traversed by numerous veins of pegmatite. This gneiss forms all
the lower hills around the base of the Chunderpur Pats, of which the
plateau on the right (south) of the profile is a continuation (about
3,500 feet) situated near the village of Chunderpur. It is there capped
by sheets of trap in common with a large part of the southern gneiss
plateaux, here and there associated with rock-laterite.
(719000)
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 5
Towards the left (north) of the profile the antielinal folds of schist,
as above described, form a series of low rolling hills. In the distance
the continuation of the Pats towards Chatania is visible. The schist
hills slope gradually down towards the Tatapáni basin, where (5 in fig. 1,
Plate I) the Talchir boulder bed and shales are seen, at once distinguished
from the former by the dry jungles of thorns so characteristic in all
the older Gondwána rocks.
'There is a variety of hornblendie gneiss remarkably like decomposed
Em ds sandstone in appearance, with quartzose schist
dipping at a high angle towards the gneiss on the
south, but forming a great fold as the dip turns round to the north again.
"The strike is east-north-east to west-south-west, the same as the great
bounding fault which euts off this area and throws the Gondwánas
against the schists.
Another area, but strategraphically related to the preceding, forms
Second area of meta. 2 fork inclosing the gneiss of the Lurgi-Chandaura
morphic schists. hills (Mandru 3,373 feet, Andru 3,232 feet), and
stretching in a south-west direction, forms the low hilly country near
Pertabpur.
The extreme eastern extension of the fork is composed of the sand-
Ridge of the water- stone-like gneiss, thin-bedded and in parts resem-
Se Kunhur. pling mica schist; it rests on the old gneiss forma-
tion on which Dhanuar is situated. It is ¿n situ in the nullah flowing
north of the village in an east-west direction, and dips at a high angle
from the gneiss. From thence in a south-west direction stretches far away
a low range of hills of nearly uniform height, and forming at the same
time the watershed between the confluents of the Rer and Kunhur
rivers. This range is entirely composed of mica schist with associated
quartz schist and quartz rock. Following it from
east to west, I found it near Kobi, in the Goga
stream section, composed of pure quartz rock, which changes near Rampur
into a quartz rock with a few leaves of white mica disseminated through
it. Crossing the range from Rämpur to Kapaut, we find also patches of
( 183 )
Quartz schist.
6 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
hornblendie schists and garnet rock associated with this micaceous quartz
schist. The bedding is somewhat obscure, owing
Garnet rock. ? i
to the dense vegetation covering the whole country.
Though there is much of the rock exposed in patches and isolated
masses, yet the bedding can only be observed here and there.
The general character of a micaceous quartz schist remains the same,
with the only difference that the lamination is more distinet towards the
Changes into a mica West; and near Maiapur the rock is almost a mica
Ro schist. The southern prong of the great fork
above mentioned is different in aspect and lithological character. It forms
a lower undulating country, stretehing away to the gneiss Páts south of
it, and well exposed in all streams between Dumarkola and Pertábpur.
ubt co Miei Though still цыш ы, ane rock has her more
the character of a mica schist, extremely brittle and
friable, being made up of very fine sandy grains of quartz and minute
laminæ of white mica, with garnets as accessory mineral. Separated
from this area by the granitic ridges is a series of true mica schists,
Third area of metamor- hornblende schists and quartzites dipping from
phie schists: the main mass of the granitic ridges ; their strike
is nearly east-west, and the dip is high, about 55°, to north.
Isolated masses of similar schists are met with and were mapped within
Isolated masses of the granitic area, probably left standing when the
schist in granite masses. intrusive granite forced its way in between the
beds of metamorphic schists, thus probably explaining also the disturbed
and folded character of the bedding of the schists.
Another and by far the largest area of these schists was traversed
d north and east of the Gondwána basin. Beginning
east of the basin immediately below the Talchirs
near Mitgain we meet mica schist, strike nearly
east-west, dip north; a httle further north, form-
Mica schist,
ae ing No. 326 Н. T. (1757), we meet with
! On the 1-inch map.
Coeds.)
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA, T
chlorite schist, strike west-north-west, east-south-east, dip north. Near
вет the northern boundary of the coal-field, about a
Chloritie schist.
mile west of Gumharia, the strike of the crystal-
line schist becomes north-west to south-east, dipping north-east, at 80”.
Itis there true miea schist, which rises up to considerable heights in the
Khorihills. The road from Chumra to Kakankoja on the Kunhur tra-
verses this ground, which is formed by one or more steep folds in the schist,
there seen to alternate with a quartz rock of pebbly character. With the
exception of a few isolated masses of intrusive granite, the rocks be-
tween the Khori hills and the gneissie region above described consist
chiefly of mica schists and quartz schist, forming a slightly undulating
country of an elevation of about 1,200 to 1,300 feet, with deeply eroded
river-courses. Some of the folds rise somewhat higher and form these
isolated masses, cut into deep valleys and sharp ridges by the number-
lessstreams. 'The strike near Bluthar Chura, as indeed nearly all over this
area, is north-west to south-east, dip north-east, but varying occasion-
ally to an east-west strike. Numerous quartz reefs traverse the area,
mostly 1n an east-west direction.
Many hornblende dykes occur; they may be taken as altered trap
Hornblende dykes. dykes. Such is observed east of Chura, in the
| Trap dykes. Kursa stream ; direction north-west to south-east,
thickness about 20 yards. It is a very close-grained rock, and has caused
some local disturbance near the junction with the mica schist, which
there shows the same strike as the dyke, with dip to the south-west.
Near the boundary with the gneiss area of the Rer the folds in the
Boundary with gneiss Mica schist gradually turn round to a north-east to
tural, south-west direction—in fact, following the bound-
ary line of the gneiss, which, I believe, is a natural one.
Granitic rocks.
These rocks occupy a considerable portion of the area examined, and
a probably form the base on which the Gondwána
Granitic rocks.
rocks of the more central parts of the coal-field
rest. As exhibited on the map, we now find two long strips] of
WI
8 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
granitic rocks north and south of the field, of from three to four
miles width on either side. Besides these, I came across several detached
masses of intrusive granite north of my area, as well as numerous peg-
matite veins 1n the older rocks, especially the old gneiss plateau of Chota
Nágpur.
As near as possible, the boundary-line of the granite with the meta-
N morphie rocks is parallel with the line of faults
which have lowered the Gondwána basin. An
examination of the southern mass of granite between the villages of
Khijuria-t (east) and the limits of my map on the Mahán river (west)
shows that it probably includes both intrusive and metamorphic granite ;
but the hills are quite inaccessible, being covered by dense jungle and not
traversed by any roads or even jungle paths, so that a distinction could
not be made on the map. The section between the Mahadeva sandstone
on the north side and the Gobra hill on the south exposes a coarse-grained
granite, showing all the constituents of the granite in single hand-speci-
mens even, with isolated masses of garnet rock
Garnet rock. ў À 1 SE
amongst it, the relation of which to the granite
could not be ascertained. Near the Chalgali section the minerals com-
posing the granite get separated, and we meet there large masses of nearly -
pure felspar with scarcely any quartz or miea in it. The best exposure
in the granitie ridge is seen along a rocky path leading from Lotki to
Bhagwánpur. Starting from the former place (Lotki), we soon leave
the mica schist (quartz schist) and enter the granitie ridge. There, veins
of granite traverse the schist for long distances, and prove beyond doubt
the intrusive character of the rock. Towards the
Intrusive character.
centre of the granitie ridge (about 3,000 feet high)
we meet with a finer variety of granite, consisting of equal proportions
| of quartz, felspar, and white mica; but between
Lithology. ]
that point and Lotki а coarse-grained porphyritie
variety is seen, containing the same constituents, with tourmaline as
accessory mineral, sometimes in large crystals.
It is possible to find large blocks, consisting of nothing but milky
( 186 )
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 9
quartz with tourmaline. In others, these two minerals are predomi-
: nant, the miea and felspar being scarcely dis-
Tourmaline granite. à : pre D RM
tnguishable. Similar varieties are found on the
northern slope of this mass, passing gradually into a coarse-grained
variety of granite, but without the tourmaline.
Along this section I observed several isolated strips of mica schist,
: AA much crushed and contorted, and showing signs of
Mica schist inclosed. à И М
having been subjected to further alteration, by heat
or otherwise ; near the junction with the granitie mass, particles of felspar
are found disseminated in the mica schist, and give it a gneissic character.
The strike of the mica schist masses is generally that of the boundaries
with the metamorphie schists, which also corresponds with the general
strike of thelatter in this region. Probably these masses are connected
with the main mass of mica schist, and the intrusive granite has simply
forced its way between the beds of the schists, separating some
portions of them. :
The parallel section between Maiapur and Pabár Karua is very
similar, excepting that I did not meet with any remains of crystalline
schists in the granitic area.
The boundary between the schist and the granite I found about a
mile north of Maiapur in crossing a small stream south of Deuri. For
about two miles the path traverses a well-defined plateau of a finer-grained
E da variety of granite, which here and there shows
а somewhat gneissic character, but which I cannot
separate from the main granite area.
North of the coal-field, between Palgi and Churka, granitie masses
Area north of the appear again, apparently a continuation of the
Coalfield. granites of the south. In general outline of hills,
as well as in lithological character of the rock, the granite of this ridge
isidentieal with the rocks of the southern area.
Lithology. É ; 2
Tourmaline granites prevail, and form the main
mass of the eastern extension of the ridge, sending out long spurs into
the neighbouring schists.
(157°)
10 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
Between Palgi and Birkepa, numerous hornblende dykes and veins
traverse tbe granite, and, being able to withstand
Hornblende dykes. n ; : A
disintegration better than the surrounding granite,
these dykes have become gradually high ridges and prominent points in
the outline of the hills.
Granite of probably intrusive nature, exactly similar in lithological
Туе eranite of character to the Birkepa rock, occurs in the neigh-
Chiraikund. bourhood of Chiraikund, east of the Rerriver. In
it, or probably along its contact with some trap dykes, was found galena,
which has been already noticed by Mr. Mallet."
Another detached mass of granite is found east of Chargar, on the
Detached areas of Kunhur, about nine miles north of the boundary
granite. of the coal-field, and it resembles in lithological
character the granite of Chiraikund.
In fig. 2, Plate I, I have shown these isolated masses of granite
visible from a considerable distance, elevated in sharp ridges over the
evenly denuded surfaces of gneiss as described above, page 4. The fore-
ground of the profile, near the deserted village of Chatoli, is one of the
numerous trap dykes showing concentric structure. The faulted boundary
of the gneiss with the Mahadeva sandstone, in which this trap occurs
(vide map), is not traceable in the landscape, owing to the even denuda-
tion of the two rocks.
THE SUB-METAMORPHIC ROCKS.
As before mentioned, there is a natural boundary of the sediment-
ary rocks with the metamorphics on the southern edge of the field .
between the villages of Hadrai and Belia, and again further west-
wards, south of Jajäwal. It is near these two boundaries that I
observed two narrow strips of rocks of pre-Gondwäna date, on which
the Talchirs rest unconformably. The best exposure is the one between
Hadrai and Kandia. The river Morne cuts through the whole section
just above Kandia, forming a narrow and rocky gorge. I found a
1 Records, Vol. V, p. 23.
CIS)
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA, 11
gneissie granite at the base, nearest the village, and the uneven surface
of it plastered over by a coarse conglomerate, which at first sight looks
‘not unlike the Talchir boulder-bed, but is essen-
Old conglomerate. 5 : А - -
| tially different from it. It is entirely composed
of metamorphie boulders, perfectly rounded pebbles, chiefly of granite
and gneiss, with a few blocks of mica schist. The whole 1s cemented
together by a silieious rock which in some parts resembles a true chloritie
schist. Thin beds of this material, with strings of pebbles, separate
the boulder-bed into banks.
The dip is very uneven and disturbed ; the conglomerate seems crushed
against the metamorphies. Near the contact, the bedding is nearly
normal, but within a few hundred yards I found the beds of the upper
sandstones (presently to be described) raised. up, dipping 30° south, strike
nearly east to west; on these the Talchir rocks rest unconformably. (See
section, fig. 3, Plate IV).
Lower down theriver, relatively north-westwards, we find that the
Passes into quartz Conglomerate passes gradually into a very hard
а quartz sandstone, which at once reminds one of
the sandstone of the Vindhyan range. It exhibits beautiful examples
of ripple-marking, and the thicker beds of sandstone show false-bedding
and contain many strings of grits and pebbles.
Though the conglomerate is not identical with, still it looks sugges-
lion tive of a possible relation with, the jasper boulder
with jasper conglomerate bed of the lower Vindhyan formation, as I saw it
of Vindhyans. ) Ў
south of the escarpment near Agori Khás. І may
mention here also that I could not help again being reminded of this and
m Uum sun de the Vindhyan jasper conglomerate н I saw the
Bs penes of the great development of slates, quartzites and con-
glomerates of the Himalayas, which form a complex
of beds not less than about 5,000 feet thickness below the lower silurian
formation, and rest near Maläri on the metamorphie series. Both at
Malári and in the grand sections of Kharbasia in the Himalayas, the litho-
logical similarity of this series with the jasper conglomerate of the penin-
(9 7)
12 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
sula is complete, even as to the colour. Again we meet with a mass of
rocks, but this time of calcareous character, inclosed in a great fold of
metamorphies between Munshári and Bageswar on the southern slope of
“the Himalayas. Here are shales, more massive beds, and conglomerate
beds, the debris in which is all, however, made up of limestone. Suppos-
ing the identity of these formations with the lower Vindhyan jasper con-
glomerate and with the beds near Kandia, it would assign a pre-Silurian
age to the latter, probably Cambrian.
South of Jajáwal, in the Rämkola pargana, 1 met with a narrow
MEE strip of hard dark blueslates, resting on mica schists,
Slates of Jajáwal. Ko: d
and dipping at a high angle (about 55°) to the
north-east. They are overlaid there by gritty Barakar sandstone. Most
probably, these slates belong to the same group of semi-metamorphie beds,
of which the Kandia beds are the type in the Ramkola field. Pos- '
sibly the semi-metamorphie rocks described by Mr. Ball! from the Bis-
rämpur field also may be included in this group, but I have not seen his
section. It is not at all unlikely that formerly this group has extended
over a much larger area south of Sirguja, and from there the red
quartzite boulders o£ Vindhyan type may have been derived, so common
in the Talchirs of my area.
THE GONDWANA SERIES.
The coal-fields under description occupy a principal eastern arm
of the main central area of Gondwäna rocks, stretching from Tatapáni
due westward for more than 200 miles to near Jabalpur, and from
the latter position extending for 300 miles by a long prolongation to
the south-east to near Sambalpur, into close proximity of the Talchir
field in Orissa.
There is no doubt that the Gondwänas spread originally over a much
Extending over larger Wider extent of country than they do at present,
аген formerly: and numerous detached remains of Talchirs and
uncertain sandstones plastering over some of the metamorphie rocks
! Records, 1873, pt. 2. Vide Plate. II, fig. 2.
( 140 )
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 13
north and south of the actual basin indicate their probable former extent.
Starting from Tatapáni, we find a natural contaet of Gondwánas resting
on metamorphie schist along the eastern and north-eastern boundaries
of the field. From near Gumharia a nearly east to west fault, indi-
Boundaries mostly cated by fault-rock and much crumpling of the
Eule strata, extends along the whole northern boundary,
defining an angle in it near the boundary of the Rewah State, where
we find a high escarpment of .Mahadeva sandstone abutting against the
metamorphies. From there the boundary is again natural, and we find
Talchirs resting on the gneiss.
From Tatapáni eastwards we see the eoal-field eut off on the south
da Dy Af great fault, throwing the several beds of
ries. Gondwänas successively against crystalline rocks.
Here and there the fault has traversed the latter and left natural bound-
aries with the Gondwänas, exposing the Talchirs as lowest beds, which -
probably covered the floor of the basin over the entire surface. Such a
natural boundary we find along the exposure of Talchirs west of Kandia,
between Bhagwánpur and Dandkarua, and along the exposure in the
Mahán-Rer nullahs; the section through all the rocks of the Gondwánas
near Námadháka (about five miles south-by-west of Dandkarua) I fancy
is brought about by denudation only, as there can be little doubt that
the line of contact with the granite is faulted.
Roughly speaking, the Gondwáua area examined forms a narrow
P Dus bay (from twelve to about thirty miles wide) of sedi-
Gondwánas. mentary rocks in the metamorphics, preserved from
denudation only by their having subsided between lines of nearly parallel
faults. The remaining portions of Gondwänas left at higher levels,
resting on metamorphies, have been removed by
denudation, though isolated patches of them are
still found, here and there, outside the area of the field, thus clearly
indieating the former extent of the basin.
Much denuded.
(UM 5)
14 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS,
Talchirs.
The ground covered by the beds of the Talehir formation is not of
N great en in the Tatapanı coal-field, though
rocks belonging to this series are seen wherever
the boundaries of the Gondwána basin are natural. The largest area
covered by these rocks is to be found along the eastern extremity of the
field, ercpping out from beneath the Barakars in a belt of varying width
of from half a mile to three miles, extending from Tatapáni to near
Gumharia.
I have generally found them forming irregular beds and filling
Litholoey. up hollows in the metamorphic rocks, which
latter are often exposed through the Talchirs by
denudation. The base bed is usually a reddish-brown and olive-coloured
greenish shale of marly character, breaking into small angular pieces,
being jointed in three directions. Light coloured, fine-grained sand-
stones, with occasional pebbles, generally overlie these shales, and are
followed by the Talchir conglomerate ; this series is often repeated several
times by faulting, but the whole complex of beds may attain a total
thickness of not more than 900 feet. The bedding is most irregular and
the dip rolling ; the beds themselves are of very uneven thickness, thin-
ning out often at a few yards distance, and again thickening rapidly.
This is especially the case with the fine-grained sandstones found
2 Men alternating with, and replacing, the boulder bed and
shales. Pebbles and boulders, from the size of a
pea to enormous blocks from 30 to 40 feet in diameter, are seemingly
disseminated throughout all beds of this formation. These boulders
were evidently deposited from above m a fine silty matrix, and it is im-
possible to detect a regular or even deposition in this bed. Many of the
boulders, of elongated shape, are standing perfectly upright 1n the matrix,
and seem to have dropped from above into the fine clay.
The latter is usually of a bluish or olive-green tint, but occasionally
dark red. or brownish silts prevail, as, for instance, in the Talchirs of
( 148 )
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 15
South Rewah, a continuation of the Rämkola-Tatapani field. This variety
is then often mottled, and lumps and clunchy masses of the greenish
clay are inclosed in the red silt.
Such is shown in the beautiful exposures of Talchirs near Kandia, and,
in fact, in all the nullahs cutting through these beds in that part of the
coal-field. І have shown it in fig. 2 of Plate II. We find there rounded
and angular blocks of gneiss, hornblendie rock, quartzites and tourma-
line granite along with pebbles, and blocks of red quartz sandstone of
Vindhyan type enclosed in the silt and also in the shales. In fact,
throughout the Talchir beds, even in the fine, silty, greenish sandstone,
pebbles are disseminated more or less.
There are also the usual intercalated masses of fine-grained, yellowish
green sandstone, with occasional strings of pebbles
Sandstone.
and worn boulders; they are almost invariably
thick-bedded and often pass into either the shales or the boulder-bed,
as, for instance, near Mitgain, where I noticed a thick mass of unusually
hard sandstone with pebble strings, passing into fine-grained bright-
coloured sandstone of the usual character.
The sketch, fig. 1, Plate II, represents this mass of Talchir sand-
stone near Mitgain, where it suddenly swells to a considerable thick-
ness, and is denuded into enormous pot-holes all along the course of the
nullah. Nearly everywhere the exposed portions of Talchirs are much
denuded, and generally only form a thin layer over the underlying
Dennded surface of Metamorphics. This denudation seems partly, at
E least, to have taken place during pre-Barakar
times, since I found at one place, in the detached mass near Dongardih,
a denuded surface of Talchirs presenting old pot-holes filled by thinly
laminated bluish-grey Barakar shales. Several of these pot-holes with
their contents are now traversed and cut through by the present
stream, which forms new pot-holes exposing sections of the old erosions
with their shaly contents.
16 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
Barakars.
A considerable thickness of beds, consisting of sandstones, flaggy beds .
Lithological character ANd shales, with numerous seams of coal,is found
ПЕ Ватаци, resting on Talchirs everywhere within the limits
of this area and cropping out beneath beds belonging to upper groups
of the lower Gondwánas. Nexttothe Mahadeva sandstones and shales,
they occupy by far the greatest extent of ground, and are readily distin-
( guishable from the underlying Talchirs, the bound-
Boundaries. ^ y {
ary with which is very sharp and well marked.
An unconformity with the Talchirs is at least very probable in some
sections. The boundary upwards is not well defined, as the change,
both lithologically and paleontologically considered, is gradual. With
the exception of the most eastern development of these beds near _
Tatapäni, the whole area of Barakars is traversed by long faults,
especially near and parallel to the great boundary fault of the north-
eastern part of the coal-field. The upper series. (Mahadevas), oceu-
pying the centre and main extent of the Gondwána basin, stretches
eastward as a long strip, being there faulted against the metamor-
phie rocks on the south side. In this field, atleast, the Barakars are very
distinct from the Talchirs, and lithologically the change is sudden to the
fine-grained flags and sandstones with shales, all of which contain Bara-
kar fossils. Where the junction is natural, the Barakars dip inwards and —
apparently conformably under the Mahadevas along with the intermedi-
ate Raniganj and Panchet beds.
The rocks most frequently met with are :—
1. Sandstones, fine-grained, greyish-yellow, with varieties of white
and reddish gritty sandstones, often false-bedded, and alter-
nating with flagey micaceous beds.
9. Micaceous, thin-bedded, grey, shaly or flaggy sandstones, con-
taining carbonaceous matter.
3. Coal-seams of variable thickness. As yet three distinct bands -
were met with; they occur mostly in the middle of the group,
( 144 )
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 17
and one near the top and just below the iron measures of the
Raniganj group.
The largest and best seams are in the vicinity of the Morne river,
where we find a series of coal seams, ranging from a few inches to 1
foot, and a fine seam of a little more than 7 feet, which remains pretty
constant ; towards the west this seam thins out considerably, and in the `
Suknai nullah the same bed decreases rapidly to.3 feet 6 inches. In
the nullah east of Budatand, falling into the Morne river, there is a
band of coal with shaly partings of 17 feet, probably representing the 7
feet seam of the Morne river sections.
In the Barakars of the northern part of my area, the character of
the rocks composing the group does not change, and we still meet with
micaceous shaly sandstones and shales, containing coal, but of inferior
quality, and having thinned out considerably ; but as the Barakar beds
are only brought up by faulting, it is possible that the coal-seams are
only some of the top ones, also seen in other sections, and that the better
seams, which are elsewhere constant, are hidden beneath.
Towards the extreme western tracts of the coal-field near the Banki
nullah (tributary of the Morne river), the Barakars are faulted against
the Mahadeva sandstone, and consist of hard, gritty sandstones, with
numerous pot-holes.
The entire thickness of the Barakars, as caleulated from the Tata-
páni sections, is probably not more than 900
Thickness. feet!
атату.
Roughly defining it, ће Barakar group is characterised, as already
stated, by fine-grained sandstones, dark micaceous and carboniferous
shales, and coal-seams with decidedly a Barakar flora.
Though it is difficult, in some sections even almost impossible, to lay
Lithological charac- OMe’s hand on the exact point of junction of Bara-
ter of Raniganj. kars and the next overlying group, yet it is not
difficult to define in general the character of this latter, which is most
B (035.0)
18 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS,
distinctly developed in this field. Placed side by side, the specimens
with fossils from this group could not be distinguished from those of
the Raniganj field, but other petrologieal characters are somewhat differ-
ent, conspieuously so by the absence of coal. The Raniganj here consists
chiefly of white felspathic and gritty sandstones, white shales with numer-
ous Raniganj fossils (plants), with thick beds of clay iron ores, ferru-
ginous sandstones, with nodules of iron ores and iron shales, these latter
well shown in the Sendur river sections. In short, whereas the Barakars
are distinguished by the presence of coal-seams and carbonaceous shales,
we find the Raniganj remarkably rich in iron ore bands, or nodules in
other beds, and thin bands of iron shales.
The approximate thickness of the whole group is probably not more
than 1,300 feet. Deposits of this horizon are
Thickness. o .
probably represented in all sections, but I have
only mapped them as such where fossil evidence supports this view.
Panchets.
Under this head I have included all the sandstones, grits, elays, and
Litholegieal charac- Shales which occupy the space between the Rani- .
ter of Panchets. ganj and the typical Mahadevas, from which it is
not always easy to distinguish them. Тһе commonest rock of this
series, and which occupies a large area, both vertically and horizontally,
is a red clay, changing here and there into red clay shales and clayey
sandstone. These rocks are generally alternating with white and yellow- .
ish hard shales, and in many sections changing into an olive-green clay,
sometimes mottled both colours. It is invariably overlaid by white
friable sandstones, or similar red sandstones, which latter are difficult to
distinguish from similar beds in the Mahadeva sandstones,—especially
as some beds of -the former have even the brown gritty appearance of
| the latter with ferruginous partings. At several
Е localities I have found in Ње Panchet horizon a
coarse brown or red conglomerate or grit, made up chiefly by round or
angular pieces of quartz, the latter sometimes attaining the size of
( 146 )
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 19
pigeon eggs. These beds then form low hills of rounded outline, but
easily distinguished in appearance from Mahadevas. I have included this
rock in the Panchets, though I have no fossil evidence to support my
view, whereas in the Panchets proper I have found several characteristic
forms of plants. |
The thickness of the Panchets in the Tatapáni sections is estimated
at from 1,200 to 1,500 feet, but it thins out con-
Thickness. Ё
siderably towards the west.
Mahadevas.
Rocks, chiefly sandstones, belonging to this series occupy by far the
largest extent of ground. Unlike the rest of the
Escarpments. 5 .
Gondwäna rocks, which do not rise above 1,500
feet above sea level in my area, the Mahadevas form bold escarpments,
many of them perpendicular, even overhanging sometimes, and plateaux
of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the sea.
Whereas the Barakars are remarkable for the dryness of soil, which
is very sandy, and consequently the rivers of which rarely contain much
water during the dry season, the Mahadevas by decomposing, as they do,
into a heavy clay soil give rise to perennial streams. Owing to this
circumstance is also the freshness of the sál and mixed jungles on ground
composed of Mahadevas, whereas Barakars and Talchirs invariably ошу
can boast of dry thorns and species of Mimosa trees.
I could not divide the Mahadevas farther in this area. Nearly the
Lithological charac. Whole mass is composed of thick beds of reddish-
de GR шошца. brown, ferruginous, gritty sandstone, generally
false-bedded and remarkable for hard ferruginous partings, which cut
up the beds in a most singular manner, and, after the rock has undergone
disintegration by denudation, remain standing like thin walls and long
ridges in the mass of sandstone.
Sometimes these partings make a network in the sandstone, and
E after the latter has been worn away, they form
Ferruginous partings. AE.
5 a cellular mass of striking appearance. Here
(dA)
20 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
and there, thick layers of red iron ore are intercalated between the
Mahadevas; and a few earthy beds are met with, the only beds which
have yielded fossils. | : |
The total thiekness probably does not exceed 800 feet, this being the
Thickness of the Ma. difference of height between the top of the Tamor
Be escarpment and the level below, which is composed
of older rocks.
The rock masses of the Mahadevas are traversed in all directions by
a joints; the steep outlines of the escarpments no
doubt owe their existence to this extensive joint-
ing. As masses of the rock are undermined by the rivers below, blocks,
more or less approaching a cubical shape, separate from the cliff above
and come down the hill sides, thus always preserving a freshly broken |
surface to the escarpment, as shown in fig. 1, where, owing to the
Fig.1. Mabadeva escarpment of the Tamor hill, valley of the Mahan river,
inclination of the strata, the face of the cliff is actually overhanging, the ·
rocks splitting off along the joints, which are mostly normal to the line
of bedding.
( 148 )
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 21
The -boldest and highest escarpments of the Mahadevas face the
south, rising to nearly 3,000 feet (Tamor hill, 2,758 feet), as shown in the
above sketch, fig. 1; the sandstones there form quite inaccessible cliffs,
high above the older Gondwána rocks below (see fig. 3, pl. V), whereas
towards the north they gradually flatten down to the general low level
of the older rocks, with a few remarkable exceptions, as in the Pipra
hill, 2,004 feet in elevation and which is nearly 800 feet above the level
of the surrounding country (see fig. 1, pl. V).
Proceeding from east to west, I noticed the Mahadeva sandstone first
in the long north to south escarpment of Sendur-Pipraul; it is formed
of thick massive beds of gritty ferruginous sandstone dipping 20" to the
west. From there the Mahadeva ridge ascends in one or two great steps
‘of bold outlines, covered by dense jungles, the supposed haunts of
numerous dacoits. The lithological uniformity is remarkable; for miles
and miles the character of the rock remains the same, a coarse gritty
reddish-brown sandstone.
Towards Räjketa the hills gradually subside into lower levels; until
seen from the north near that village, they appear
Slope towards the north. б 1
but as small hillocks above the low undulating
ground.
In fig. 2, pl. VI, I have shown the natural profile of this part of the
Mahadevas as seen from the south, from near Bara Barthi, in the Upper
Morne valley ; the dip is there rolling about 20° towards the north-west,
and in consequence the outline of the hills is rounded and totally unlike
the usual contour of hills composed of this formation.
But the rock is there, as elsewhere, composed of a succession of coarse .
l ? brownish-red sandstones and rough grits with
Ferruginous partings. А i 1
occasional pebble beds. Ferruginous partings are
found in every bed—not always along the line of bedding, but traversing
it and forming sometimes a network, the meshes of which vary in size
from a few inches in diameter to many feet.
Many thick layers of good hematite occur amongst the sandstone
beds, but the native iron-smelters never make use of this or similar ores,
but invariably only of very inferior ones of the upper Barakar beds.
( 149)
22 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
The most considerable patch of Mahadevas of my area is the large
plateau of nearly square outline, in a denuded bay of
which is situated the village of Rámkola. It
presents a steep precipitous escarpment (fig. 1, p. 20) towards the south,
Rámkola plateau.
with a more or less level surface, covered by jungle, traversed and
dh denuded by numerous perennial streams. It is
nearly surrounded by copious outbursts of trap,
which appears on the surface both as huge dykes of many miles length,
and on the south-eastern and eastern face of the escarpment as great
intrusive sheets, spreading for miles over the lower rocks. In fig..l,
pl. VI, I have given the profile of the eastern escarpment of the Rámkola
plateau, in whieh the Mahadevas (1) are seen to slope to the north-west,
with the trap (2) forming the intrusive sheet beneath the strata of the
sandstone.
The beds of the Mahadeva plateau, fig. 1, Plate VI, slope gently
towards the north-west, excepting near the bounding fault, whieh extends
from near Turpa (Rer river) towards the east, accompanied and flanked
by parallel trap dykes (see fig. 3, pl. VI), where the dip increases
considerably, and in one or two minor instances approaches the vertical. |
But this north-western corner of my Mahadeva area (see fig. 2, pl. V)
is noteworthy for the fact that there I found a few
traces of fossils. In a dark reddish-brown earthy
shale between beds of Mahadeva grits, north of Khond, I found a few
traces of plants, which Dr. Feistmantel determines as :
Fossils.
Alethopteris, spec.
Glossopteris ? !
As shown in the last-mentioned section, the Mahadevas are thrown
directly against the metamorphies, south of Turpa, the strata being raised
up to about 45° to 50° south. A few miles to the south, however, the
bedding becomes quite normal—almost horizontal—and is penetrated by
several trap dykes running more or less in an east-west direction. South
! For the naming of my specimens, as well as for the forthcoming description of a few
new species of fossil plants from this coal-field, I am indebted to Dr: O. Feistmantel.
(ШОО)
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 23
of Burwar, I found in the Dhursot nullah the trap shown in fig. 2
(p. 25), beyond which the dip increases to the south or south-west, the
sandstone beds containing a few earthy beds of shales with the above
fossils.
Though I have observed throughout the coal-field an apparent con-
formity of the Mahadevas with the older Gond-
wána rocks, it is yet probable that the former over-
lap the lower beds here and there. The nature of the jungle-covered
Probable overlap.
country, however, makes it extremely difficult to decide this point. Near
the south-eastern boundary of the field on the low ridge of metamorphies
Separating the Tatapáni field from the Bisrámpur field, patches of coarse
reddish-brown grits and sandstones abound; they form only a thin cover-
ing on the metamorphies, and are evidently only the remains of a vast
extent of Mahadeva rocks which once probably covered a great area,
connecting the various fields.
Trap.
I have certainly come across three varieties of trap rock in my
survey. A semi-metamorphie trap forms a dyke
of somewhat less than a mile in length, and
only some 20 yards wide in the miea schist south-east of Chura. Near
the dyke a disturbance is visible in the mica schist, the latter dipping
from it. The direction of the dyke is north-west to south-east. It is an
extremely dense variety, and almost resembles hornblendie rock.
Altered trap.
A basaltie rock caps nearly all the main gneiss plateau south of the
coal-field, and forms continuous sheets of perhaps
not more than 50 feet thick. Remains of the trap
sheets are found on the top of all the plateaus wherever the original
surface has been preserved; on the lower hills, which evidently have
undergone extensive denudation, we miss these traps. On the tops of
the Lamti-pát and Gulgul-pát, fig. 1, pl. І, we find laterite associated
with the trap, but the exact connection was not observed, owing to the
dense vegetation covering the whole.
Basalt caps on gneiss.
(191. )
24 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
But the main mass of the trap rocks in my survey is situated within
Dykes and intrusive the boundaries of the coal-field, where it occurs in
sheets of basaltic trap. the form of dykes and intensive sheets. Having
reached the western extension of the basin before I finished the centre,
I came on large sheets of trap in Barakars, and there took it at first
for contemporaneous trap, owing to the regularity of the apparently
interbedded sheets between strata ; but I soon found out my mistake
when I saw the continuation of the same traps traverse the Gondwanas
as enormous dykes and without any regard to the stratification or age
of the beds, cutting through all rocks from metamorphies to Mahadevas.
The principal spreads of intrusive sheets are noticeable between the
villages of Majurdaki and Gorgi, where they have pushed between beds
probably of Barakar age and the overlying Mahadevas; subsequent
denudation has then exposed great sheets of this trap, the latter showing
nearly throughout a spheroidal structure.
A similar but even larger sheet is found in the valley of denudation
of the Morne and tributaries, extending across the whole width of the
valley, covering the Barakars and loosing itself below the Mahadevas.
Here and there the former are exposed in patches where the trap was |
removed by denudation, and good examples of the contact effects are -
then shown. Towards the north this mtrusive sheet is connected with
a dyke little less than half a mile in width, which extends in a north-
westerly direction beyond the Morne river and cuts through the Maha-
deva sandstone.
The narrow strip of trap north of Namadhaka (5 miles north-west
of Maiapur), at the foot of the Kalhota hill, is probably part of the
intrusive sheet which is hidden by the Mahadeva sandstone of the
Churipat hills. UE
The northern half of the basin examined is traversed by numerous
trap dykes, most of them being situated along
Dykes along faults. i
faults. Some of the traps in the Nowadih sections
(north of Damni) and of the Bhalui nullah section might be explained
as being intrusive and repeated by faulting; but there is clear evidence
CD
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA. 25
that the traps, many of them very narrow, along the great east-20°-
north to west-20°-south fault along the Iria nullah are dykes erupted
along the fault; also the east-west dykes which run nearly parallel from
near the Banki nullah westwards are clearly along lines of fault.
This is especially well seen near the contact of Mahadevas and Barakars
of the Pipra hill, which is faulted, the lower beds of the former dis-
appearing towards the east against the Barakars, and apparently dipping
below them. The long dyke south of that locality, which at first runs
nearly east and west, turns sharp round to the south-west near Maihewa,
near which village the trap has intruded between beds of Barakars later-
ally and still connected with the dyke.
A similar example of intrusive trap was found in the Dhursot nullah
(Rer river), where a north-west to south-east dyke, about 8 feet thick,
has penetrated right and left into joints of the Mahadevas, forming veins
of only a few inches. thickness and conforming exactly to the surfaces
of the joints, filling up every crevice in the sandstone, as shown in the
accompanying fig. 2 :—
Fig, 2. Trap dyke, filling up joints in Mahadeva sandstone north of Khord, in the Dhursot niüllak
C 153. -)
26 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
The dykes south of the Pipra hill continue for some distance into
the metamorphie rocks west of the Gondwánas, and two of them are
` found south of Chiraikund amongst granitic rocks.
Numbers of parallel dykes are found near the north-western boundary
of the Mahadevas in the neighbourhood of Naogai and Assandiah, some
of them penetrating into the adjoining metamorphies. In fig. 2, pl. I,
I have shown one of these long ridge-like dykes of trap south of Assan-
diah. They are only covered with very little soil, and the onion-like
structure of the trap 1s visible all over, and thus the presence of the trap
can always be detected with the greatest ease. , A long dyke (see fig. 3,
pl. VI).of this trap extends along the valley of the Rer, forming a
high and preeipitous wall of nearly north-west to south-east direction.
It is connected in the south with the great intrusive sheets of the
Jajáwal area shown in fig. 5, pl. V.
Recent Deposits.
Before closing my description of rock-groups, I must briefly allude to
the enormous deposits of recent sands and clays covering, more or less,
the entire surface of the area examined by me. They present the greatest
uniformity throughout the area, and are in no way different from the
great alluvial deposits observed in the Palamow districts. It is mostly a
fine silty deposit of sands with a few partings of clay, and here and there
layers of pebbles from the neighbouring rocks. The greatest deposits
were found in the northern half of my area, in the neighbourhood of the
Ledho and Iria nullahs, where banks of 80 to 100 feet of them are expos-
ed by the rivers. They usually show beautiful examples of false bedding,
and here and there alternating layers of sand and pebbles. Wherever
exposed, they have weathered into high, almost perpendicular, cliffs, and
are washed out into a semblance of organ pipes. Not less common are
examples of pillar structure, caused by the denudation of all the sand and
clay, except the portion protected by capping pebbles or stones. The recent
deposits covering the Talchirs are remarkable in so far that they contain a
great deal of kunkur limestone of precisely the same character as that
described from Daltonganj.
(rend)
/
TATAPANI AND SENDUR RIVER SECTIONS. 27
PAE XP
DESCRIPTION OF SECTIONS IN THE COAL-FIELD.
I—THE EASTERN BASIN (TATAPANI, GIDHI) BELONGING TO THE KUNHUR
RIVER SYSTEM.
A.—TATAPANI AND SENDUR RIVER SECTIONS.
The boundaries of the lowest Gondwána rocks with the metamorphie
rocks being natural between Tatapáni and Mitgain, I obtained complete
sections through all groups represented in this field.
Descending the Tatapáni nullah (tributary of the Sendur river), I
Talchirs in Tatapáni found Talchirs immediately below the hot spring ;
шшш: they form beds of fine conglomerates, much denuded
and merely plastering over the metamorphie rock beneath, which crops
up in isolated patches. This is soon followed by the typical boulder-bed
with intercalated beds of fine-grained yellowish green sandstone. Boulders
of irregular shape and evidently worn, derived from the surrounding
metamorphie rocks, are cemented together by rounded pebbles of the
same material, as well as fine-grained sandstone and clays. Also here and
there huge blocks of metamorphie rocks are found in this mass. The
general direction of the strike is north-east to south-west, and rolling
to north-west, under an angle of from 30° to 40^. Near the bend of the
nullah at Moua-t the strike is north-south, the dip west. In fact, the
strike is so changeable and th» dip rolling, as usual in the Talchirs of
this basin, that it is difficult to record all observations on the map.
This conglomerate is overlaid by about 15 feet of an irregular bedded
whitish-green sandstone with a few boulders and gravel of metamorphie
rock scattered here and there. Above this sandstone again follows
boulder-bed. The villages of Tithert and Bhormi are on Talchirs, the
boundary of which with the metamorphic rock below is well seen about
500 yards east of the latter village.
OE IS ERN
28 GRIESBACH :
RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
\! The triangular-shaped hill range north of Tatapäni is composed of
from it.
metamorphic schist, chiefly mica schist, and the boundary of the Talchirs
skirts this hill along the western escarpment, the Talchirs dipping away
1.—Section along the nullah north of Bithian.
| In all the nullahs north of Bithiau (deserted village) we observe the.
| following section in descending order, fig. 1, Plate III—ground between
| the Sendur river and the Metamorphics :
D.—IRoN SHALES
T
C.-- BARAKARS
C
4
B.— TALcHIRS S08. 8
L
A.—METAMORPHIC SCHISTS.
( 156 )
17.
16.
15.
14.
13.
12.
11.
н
e
PIES d DO со ОЕ СУЕТЕ ОО
ПӘ CO po GA CDF ssl
Clay shales alternating with thin leafy iron shales.
Coal-seam 5.
Shales alternating with thin-bedded sandstone.
Coal-seam 1.
Shales, carbonaceous.
Coal-seam 6."
Sandstone with bituminous shales alternating.
Coal-seam 2'.
Bituminous shales.
Coal-seam 10" passing into—
Thin bed of sandstone.
Clay shales, dark, with traces of fossil leaves.
Coal-seam of 1’ thickness.
Shales, carbonaceous.
Thin coal-seam passing into—
Shales, micaceous and grey.
Sandstone, fine-grained ochre-coloured.
Boulder-bed.
Sandstone, bright olive-coloured, irregular bed and
thinning out.
Shales of same character as bed 1.
Sandstone. |
Pebble conglomerate.
Thick-bedded sandstones.
Talehir boulder-bed of typical character.
Sandstone, whitish-yellow, with bands of pebbles.
Shales, veddish-brown and olive-coloured, traversed by
jointing in three or more directions, thereby separat-
ing into small cubes and long needle-shaped forms.
Here and there gritty, with scattered boulders of
metamorphic rocks.
TATAPANI AND SENDUR RIVER SECTIONS 29
It is very difficult to arrive at a true estimate of the thickness of the
Talchir beds, owing to the rolling character of the
dip; but it is probable that the estimate of about
700 feet for the Tatapáni sections comes very near the truth.
Thickness of Talchirs.
The strike and dip of the Barakars remain perfectly uniform in
the Bithiau nullah; the former is north-south,
and dipis at 20^, to west, and the total horizontal
length of the Barakar section being 2,640 feet, the thickness is exactly
900 feet. This is confirmed by the sections north of Tatapäni, in the
Chechra section and neighbouring nullahs, where I found a total hori-
zontal length of section of 4,336 feet with a dip of 12°, to west-20°-south,
which results in a total thiekness of Barakars of 902 feet.
Thickness of Barakars.
The iron shales (17 to 18) which are interealated between the Barakars
and the following groups are very characteristie,
and oceur near the junction of the Bithiau nullah
with the stream which rises near Moua-t.
Iron shales.
Though there is no break of conformity between this series of Bara-
kars and the following beds, yet there 1s a sudden
and deeided change of lithological character. On
the iron shales rest masses of clay iron ore of considerable thickness,
which being im situ in the river, have been denuded into the most
erotesque forms. Evidently lying on it conformably, are masses of thick-
bedded sandstone (19) of ashy-grey colour with angular grits of quartz
Raniganj base-bed.
and large leaves of mica. Carbonaceous markings and indistinct plant-
remains are found throughout the rock. It is very friable and erumbles
away. Inclosed in this mass of gritty sandstone are lenticular masses of
light grey micaceous shales, without fossils. Above it follows a pebble
conglomerate of similar general charaeter. These sandstones I consider
as the base-bed of the Raniganj series, and it remains pretty constant
in all the Tatápani sections.
(15 3
30 GRIESBACH :
RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
2.— Section along the nullah south of Agar-t.
As the Moua-t nullah, and subsequently the Sendur river, run along
Section along nullah
south of Agar-t.
the strike, more or less, of the Raniganj series,
the section is not very clear ; but we obtain a very
good one along the nullah south of Agar-t, where in descending order
the following series occurs (see fig. 1, Plate III) between the Mahadevas
and the Sendur river :
G.—MAHADEVAS .
F.— PANCHETS
E.— RANIGANJ
Sandstone of the Pipraul escarpment, described above, page 21.
Shales.
Conglomerate with angular fragments of metamorphic
rocks.
White friable sandstone.
. Clays, clunchy.
. Thick beds of fine-grained white friable sandstone and
shales alternating with grits.
. Thin bed of yellow, hard, ferruginous clay shales.
. Bed of carbonaceous clay.
. Thick-bedded white gritty sandstone, alternating with
grey shales.
. Fine-grained white sandstone, very sandy.
. Sandstone with bands of iron ore.
Clay shales.
Grits, very friable, chiefly consisting of pebbles and frag-
ments of quartz. Dip 15 to 20° S. W.
. Grey shales.
. Coarse conglomeratie sandstone and grits.
. Clunchy shales.
. Coarse-grained sandstone.
. Clunchy clay shales.
. Felspathie sandstone and grits.
. Thin bed of grey clay shales with boulders of beds be-
neath.
. Quartz sandstone alternating with red shales.
. Yellowish finer-grained sandstone with beds of red sand-
stone.
. Thick-bedded red ferruginous sandstone with pebbles of
quartz. separating into jointed masses.
Thick masses of quartz sandstone with occasional beds of
finer-grained yellow sandstone.
o
TATAPANI AND SENDUR RIVER SECTIONS. ol
24. Friable coarse-grained felspathie sandstone with bands of
iron ore.
23. Sandstone and shales.
22. Band of iron ore, 1 foot 6 inches.
E.— RANIGANJ—-contd. 21. Calcareous, friable quartz sandstone, 1 foot 7 inches.
20. Conchoidal grey clay shales, 9 inches.
19. Grey sandstone, micaceous, with carbonaceous markings,
occasional nodules of clay iron ore. The thickness is
not seen, but about 8’ is exposed.
E Ios Smirus (18. Ferruginous sandstone and bands of red iron ore.
.— HALE
117. Iron shales with clay iron ore band.
The entire thickness of the Raniganj series in this field is 1,550 feet,
MN thus considerably exceeding the Barakars. Further
west I observed that the Raniganj, of precisely
similar lithological character and containing typical fossils, thins out
considerably and the Barakars are developedin greater foree. "The gen-
eral dip is the same as that of the Barakars, namely, about 20? west
or south-west, strike nearly from north to south. "The physical conditions
under which the Raniganj were deposited must have been very different
from those prevailing during Barakar times, at least in this field.
Instead of dark bitummous clay shales and fine brownish-yellow sand-
stones with coal-seams, we meet here generally felspathie sandstones,
_ferruginous shales and bands of iron ore, resting on the characteristic
micaceous ashy-grey sandstone bed No. 19. No trace of a coal-seam is
visible, and, though I have found no fossils in this section, it is not
difficult to identify this series with typical Raniganj elsewhere well
developed in the coal-field,
The follewing series of Panchets begins with a contact bed made up
of boulders and debris from the beds beneath
No. 29, and from this point the dip gradually
decreases to about 15* south-west, the strike turning more to the north-
west to south-east; the total thiekness of the group in this section is
about 1,300 feet. The beds composing it can readily be distinguished
Panchets.
from those forming the Raniganj. They are, as seen in the accompany-
ing section, chiefly clays, variegated or red, alternating with shales and
( 159%)
32 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
gritty ‘sandstones. No fossils were obtained in this section, but in the
same beds further westward several typical Panchet fossils were ob-
tained.
The Mahadeva sandstone of usual type follows, but it is not clearly
seen how this group is related to the underlying
Mahadevas. A i 2 SA x
Panchets in this section ; but it is certain that the
general strike and dip is the same, and it may be assumed to be con-
formable.
This suecession of beds, dipping at about 20° to west, remains tolerably
constant along the eastern part of the field and of the Pipraul-Sendur
escarpment, and there is no doubt the groups represent a natural boundary
of the field ; whilst south of the Sendur river, the whole series 1s cut off
by the great Tatapáni fault, as is well seen in all the small nullahs, which
join the Sendur river from the south.
The Mahadevas are somewhat disturbed near the fault, and some
remains of them are found in hills and isolated blocks south of the
fault, as, for instance, near Khijuria. The general dip of the Mahadeva
sandstone is about 15° to 20^, to west-20°-south, forming a high and pre-
eipitous escarpment facing east.
North and north-west of the described sections, the dip of the beds
of Gondwánas gradually decreases, and as the strike turns round to the
west the bedding becomes almost horizontal.
3. Section in the Nullahs between Chechra and No. 526 H. T., north of
Mitgain.
In descending order we find (fig. 2, Plate III.) upper part of section
obseured by recent deposits :
C.—Ramiganj. 24. Thick-bedded, coarse, gritty sandstone, felspathic,
with nodules of ferruginous sandstone inclosed.
Eroded in potholes.
23. Purple thin-bedded sandstone, thickness 3' 6".
22. Dark-blue shales, with clay iron ore nodules 2’.
21. Felspathie sandstones 5’.
( 160 )
TATAPANI AND SENDUR RIVER SECTIONS. 33
20. a.—Dark-blue and grey shales, elunchy, with
fossils, thickness about 2’ 6”.
6.—Purple and blue shales with fossil leaves, thick-
ness about 3’ 6”, lying nearly horizontal
except near outcrop, where the dip is 5°
west.
19. Grey micaceous sandstone 14.
B.— Barakavs.
16, 17, & 18. Coal and coaly shale 5’; blue shales 2’.
15. Purplish and greenish-blue shales 5”.
14. Coal-seam 6”, rather shaly.
No exposure, about 40’.
Fault.
C.—Raniganj. 19. Carbonaceous grey sandstone 150’, same as bed 19
of the Agar-t section.
B.— Barakars. 16. Coal, with shaly partings, 34’.
15. Shales 5’.
11 &c. Sandstone 21’.
7? Ferruginous brown sandstone 115’.
C.—Raniganj. 19? Micaceous shaly flags, purplish, with carbonaceous
sandstone.
B.—Barakars, are much faulted, and, as the nullah is extremely sandy,
it is scarcely possible to make out the sequence. At first the
beds are much obscured by sand for about 500 yards, followed
by beds which I identified with beds of the Sendur sections
as follows :—
4. Purplish-red and grey shales, about 14’.
2&3. Grey carbonaceous sandstone, locally faulted and
crushed.
1. Red and grey shales, 14’, with the following fossils :—
Vertebraria indica, Royle.
Glossopteris communis, Fstm.
> browniana (indica ?).
M damudica, Fstm.
A,—Talchirs, are represented in this section in great thickness, and are
typical in lithological character. Great masses of the boulder
bed, with associated marly shales showing the jointing as usua ,
of greenish-grey colour, occasionally reddish-brown and
mottled. The strike is north-west to south-east, with a dip to
the south-west of from 25 to 30°. With it occur large masses
of fine mealy yellowish sandstones, with layers and bands of
boulders, rapidly swelling or thinning out, being then often
replaced by boulder „beds. The sandstones are worn into
(161 D
34 GRIESBACH ; RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
grotesque forms by denudation in the river and are fuil
of pebbles. In fig. 1, Plate II, I have represented this worn
sandstone, which is seen well in the Mitgain nullah. The
dip is rolling and the strike changeable. Near Mitgain the
strike is north-east to south-west, and the dip south-east. In
the nullah north-west of Mitgain they rest on mica schist, and
near the No. 326 H. T. on chloritie schist.
B.— BANKI RIVER SECTIONS.
d.—Section along the nullah east of Gidhi and in the Banki River to Panre
village.
In descending order: fig. 3, Plate III.
The numbers correspond with those of beds in the Sendur river
section.
G.— Mahadeva sandstone.
_ F.— Panchets.
( 38. Soft greenish-yellow sandstone.
37. Grey shales, with conchoidal fracture and much jointing.
36. Ditto, but with covering of oxide of iron on joint surfaces.
35. Purple shales, with carbonaceous markings and fossil traces.
TRACT southwest! 34. кше clays, with Qc
; 33. Micaceous and ferruginous sandstone.
32, Light-coloured grey shales with carbonaceous markings.
31. Ferruginous micaceous sandstone separating into square blocks.
30. Soft yellowish sandstone.
(29. Ferruginous hard sandstone with beds of pebbly softer sandstone
jointed.
E.—Raniganj.
(7 No exposure.
Rolled boulders of nodular clay iron ore in sand.
23. Yellowish thinly laminated shales, nearly horizontal.
22. Grey shales with fossils, passing into beds above containing—
Glossopteris angustifolia, Bst.
131 jp retifera, Fstm.
ошкош $ ón А Fstm.
21. Felspathie white sandstone.
Dark shales and sandstones, much disturbed.
20. 2 Shales with conchoidal fracture, with flaggy sandstone beds, hori-
zontal and rolling, much jointed.
(19. Thick beds of sandstone, with strings of quartz pebbles, jointed.
No exposure.
BANKI RIVER SECTIONS. 35
B.-~ Barakars.
14.
| 18.
! 12.
| 11.
| 2
| 8,
I
і 6,
=
9.
¢
` l Coal-seam 8° 6
. Coal-seam exposed 2°. |
. Shaly sandstone 1’ 2°.
Coal-seam Y 2",
. Sandstone 8' 2”.
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
5
ан.
n
Fault.
. Thick-bedded sandstone.
. Thin band of clay iron ore 6".
. Grey shales, nearly horizontal.
. Coal-seam, partly hidden under water. `
. Fine-grained grey sandstone, micaceous; strike east-west, dip
slightly south, locally disturbed, about 5' thickness,
Shales.
Sandstone, strike east-west, dip 8° south, but rolling.
Shales.
Ferruginous sandstone.
9, 10. Coal-seam and shales 1', south-east to north-west, dip 10° south-
west.
7. Ferruginous sandstone and shales.
Coal-bed 1”.
i
Û1 to 4. Ferruginous sandstone, showing a very corroded surface; much
hidden by alluvium.
A.—Talehirs.
Of typical character; boulder bed with silty sandstones and shales of
conchoidal fracture, dip 50° south-west.
Resting on metamorphie schists.
Descending from the village Pánri, which stands on mica schist, to the
Banki nullah by
the road to Pipraul, we find Talchir boulder bed and
shales resting on the metamorphics in the river, raised to 50° probably by
lateral pressure, this boundary being near the great subsiding fault,
which farther to the west cuts off the coal-field on the north.
The section through the Barakars is completely analogous to the
sections already described in the Bithiau nullah. The greatest sub-
sidence in the Tatapáni portion of the field having taken place towards the
(1087)
36 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
south-west, some disturbances and faulting are visible in the second
half of the Barakar section, which are not diffieult to recognize. But the
Raniganj and Panchet groups are much obscured by the covering of
alluvial deposits in all the gullies leading down from the Mahadeva hills.
5.—Section along the nallahs left and right of Banki River west of
Chumra.
This section presents considerable difficulties in comparing it with
former ones, being much faulted, and certain beds have a peculiar local
development, others evidently have died out. But descending from the
Mahadeva sandstone which there has been denuded considerably, sloping
gradually down to the level of the Banki valley, we find in descending
order, fig. 1, Plate IV :— i
( 21. For some distance no exposure; after that, here and there
a friable felspathie sandstone grit and conglomerate
beds, probably of Panchet age.
20. Ferruginous mottled sandstone, almost ironstone.
19. About 20 feet of sandstone.
17. Red friable conchoidal shales, breaking up into small frag-
I.—PANCHETS
ments through extensive jointing, with intercalated bed
of yellow shales (about 20 feet). Top bed a white clay.
(16. About 50 feet thickness of shales, some very ferruginous,
alternating with clay shales and bands of ferruginous
nodules of spherical structure, containing the follow-
ing fossils: :
Glossopteris angustifolia, Bgt.
Ватану iu aa d pugnas, Bags
3 communis, Fstm.
These shales are jointed in several directions, and consequently
break up into small needle-shaped forms ; they are much
faulted and several times repeated.
Dip 10° south-west.
15. Sandstone 8’.
(14. Shales 6’.
TI[.—BARAKARS . . 18. Shaly coal, the base hidden below water; dips under low
angle south-west. (16 of Bithiau section, p. 28).
QU SM
BANKI RIVER SECTIONS. 37
Fault.
Light-coloured shales with thin partings of sandstone
' eontaining—
IL—RANIGANJ . | Glossopteris angustifolia, Bgt.
» indica, Bgt. (Schmp.)
ss communis, Fstm,
ASCENDING, 16
l7. Ferruginous sandstone.
The last two beds are”) 16. Thick bed of clay shales of conchoidal fracture, drab and
‚ repeated several times by Oi el S oxide ene c
faulting. yellowish coloured, with oxide of iron on joint surfaces.
Fault.
( 3. Sandstone. à
4. Purple and bluish shales with micaceous layers on. partings
and fossils :—
G lossopteris communis, Fstm.
Sandstone with bed of mica shale fullof carbonaceous
ox
matter.
6. Dark shales with shining coaly matter about 4’, containing
a bad coal-seam of about 1’ thickness.
7, Ripple-marked brown sandstone, 3’.
8. Sandy shales and hard flaggy sandstone.
9. Hard flaggy quartz sandstone, 1’.
10. Dark carbonaceous shales (jointed) 2.
11. Flaggy quartz sandstone, 1^ 6".
12. Clays and grey micaceous shales.
13. Barakar sandstone and shales with coal 6' 4", position not
IIL—BARAKABS . ‚+
t clear. i
The detailed section of bed 13 (16 in Agar-t section) is as follows :—
In descending order :
Sandstone . D Я 5 OE A
Carbonaceous shales . ¿ > 0 3”
Shales : о З 6 ^0 qt
Sandstone . 5 : С eu ds
Shaly coal . А : . a
Shales . Р o А E ey tit
Shalyzeoal a E « MIN 6"
6 qu
This section is not always clear, owing to the numerous local disturb.
ances and repetitions by faulting. In fact, the field is so greatly
( 165)
36 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
shattered, especially towards the western and south-western portion of
it, that a striet correlation of the beds is not always possible. But
it is very probable that beds 16, 17, 18, and 19 correspond with
beds of precisely similar lithological character seen in the Sendur river
section near Mitgain and in the nullah near Bithiau (north of that
place) 1
The coal is nowhere seen to advantage, and the quality seems very
inferior ; it is, in fact, only a lignite, and does not promise to be profitable
for working.
6.—Section along the Nullah north of Meguli,
In descending order from south to north :—
South: Banki Nullah
5. Thin-bedded sandstone with shales and a thin bed of солт; dip
gradually flattening.
4. Light-coloured shales with bands of reddish shales and some ferru-
ginous hard bands, with concentrie nodules of iron ore.
3. Soft clay shales, dark coloured near base, lighter towards top.
Strike as sandstone. Containing Glossopteris ovalis, Fstml. n. sp: .
2. Hard quartzose white sandstone, alternating with softer beds and
shales, probably repeated by faulting, strike nearly east to west,
dip 20° south. A few nodules of ironstone are scattered through-
out the mass.
1. Micaschist, strike north-north-west to south-south-east, dip 80°
north-east to east.
North:
Bankı Молан.
Both this section and the exposure in the nullahs south of Gumharia
show that the Talchirs are overlapped by the Barakars, and that
the latter rest directly on mica schist, being represented by hard quartz
sandstone with ripple marking on surface of beds. On the map I have
marked this group of shales and sandstones as Barakars, but Dr. Feist-
mantel considers the form of G/ossopteris contained in bed З as a Rani-
ganj form : it may be that beds of that horizon, which is well represented
in the sections west of this locality, strike across. It is at any time
! Sce fig. 1, Plate III.
7160)
L
BANKI SECTIONS. 39
very difficult to make out the relations of beds in the dense jungles
which cover every square mile.of ground in this field.
7.—Section along the Nullahs between Bagra (North) and Lawa (South).
In ascending order :—
North: village of Bagra on mica schist. Just south of that place a series of
low ridges extend in a nearly east-westerly direction, being composed of
a hard porous (cellular) rock, resembling Rauchwacke. This rock puz-
zled me a good deal at first, but afterwards I found that it is merely
filling up the long lines of fault, scarcely without interruption, and I
obtained clear sections through it afterwards near Palgi and also south of
Lundra, where the relation to the other rocks is unmistakeable. Imme-
diately south of this ridge I found sandstone and shales of probable
Raniganj age faulted against the old rocks, but so shattered that a
succession of beds could only be obtained here and there.
In descending order, a short distance further down stream, I could
make out :—
1:
bo
н>
‚ An unevenly bedded red grit or sandstone in thick masses, very soft, strike
north-west to south-east, dip south-west.
. Thin-bedded red hard ferruginous sandstone, in places with a good red iron
ore, denuded into furrows and ridges on the surface, not unlike some of
the partings in the Mahadeva sandstone. Quartz pebbles and grits in
strings.
. White sandy beds, very soft, dip 5°, to south-west.
. Coarse-grained sandstone.
Trap dyke, showing concentrie structure here and there, strike east-west,
thickness 36'.
5. Sandstone, ferruginous.
These beds, however, are so much shattered by local faulting that it
would be impossible to say with any degree of certainty to which group
they belong; and in addition, the nullah does not afford a good
seetion there, the rocks being obseured by alluvium. But a little further
down, clay shales of a Barakar appearance come in, which I have classed
as such on the map. From there the section is an ascending one, but
still, and for some distance, disturbed by faulting. However we get
( 167 )
40 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
agam into the ferruginous grits and sandstones with clay iron ore, cha-
racteristic of Raniganj. Further on again —
Ascending :—
1. Red plastic clay of Panchet type.
2. Purple and yellow banded gritty sandstone, towards base,
a band of hard shale 1”, and partings of micaceous
shales.
3. Purple banded clays, nearly horizontal, thickness 6', with
parting of micaceous shale.
4. Sandstone, 9' thickness.
. Ferruginous ditto.
. Mahadeva sandstone.
Panchets :
O) c
8.— Seclion in the Sita Chua Nullah.
Nearly the same succession of rocks, erushed and tumbled together in
the most perplexing manner, is met with in the dry nullah of Sita Chua,
running into the Banki nullah east of Dhamni. North of the former
vilage I met metamorphie rock (miea schist and quartz schist). In
the nullah near the village I met a white mealy soft sandstone, not
unlike what I saw in the former section (No. 301 H. T. is composed of 1t) ;
here and there it is mottled with reddish beds, but otherwise ıt resembles
the Mahadevas. It is hollowed out in large pot-holes, one of which is
worshipped as Sita Chua (the rise of Sita). In the many windings of
this rivulet, only here and there rocks appear în situ, the rest are hidden
by sands and rubbish. In the bed of the Banki nullah near the junction
with the Sita Chua nullah Raniganj clay shales are exposed, and a
little further west in the bend of this river trap is zn situ, and forms a
dyke across it; I traced this dyke for miles in a nearly east-west
direetion towards Nowadih. The rocks, however, right and left of the
Banki nullah, are so much denuded and the whole country levelled down
to the river banks, that no exposure is seen for miles round until we get
to Dhamni, where red clays are seen, overlaid further on by Mahadeva
sandstone. These red clays occupy invariably the place just below the
Mahadevas, and most probably represent Panchets. This section, and
( 168
=
BANKI SECTIONS. 41
the one previously described, would not be intelligible if I had not
obtained a clear section between Nowadih and Gargori.
9.—Section in the Nullahs (tributaries of the Banki river) between Gurgori
g . and Nowadih,
In descending order: fig. 2, pl. 4.
SOUTH.
M. Mahadevas.
Ferruginous sandstone.
P. Panchets.
1. White sand or mealy sandstone.
2. Red and purplish sandstone and marls.
R. Raniganj.
1. Grey micaceous and thin-bedded sandstone.
2, Micaceous and carbonaceous shales with fossils :
G lossopleris communis, Fstm.
5 angustifolia, Bgt.
3. Marly ochre-coloured shales, with numerous traces of leaves and
equisetaceous stalks.
4. Hard yellow sandstone.
5. Micaceous shales and sandstone.
Fault 1.
M. Mahadeva sandstone.
P. Panchets,
1. White marly sandstone.
2. Red clays and marls.
R. Raniganj.
1. Shales.
Fault 2.
P. Panchets.
1. White sands.
2. Purple clays.
R, Raniganj.
1. Shales and sandstone.
Fault 3.
P. Panchets.
Marla.
( 169 )
42 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL: FIELDS.
R. Ranigan).
Shales.
Fault 4.
T, trap dyke, showing all gradations from hard igneous rock to concentrie struc-
ture and greenish tuff, in the latter condition resembling. Talchir shales. The Pan-
chet shales are altered into a burnt brick-like appearance, with steel-blue contact sur-
faces.
P. Panchets.
Marls and elays, dipping north, from the trap.
M. Mahadeva sandstone.
Fault 5.
R. Raniganj.
Shales, dipping 7^ north.
T. Trap dyke.
P. Panchets.
Red clays and marls, with white, somewhat chalky, sandstone above.
M. Mahadeva sandstone.
Fault 6.
R. Raniganj.
Shales with—
Glossopteris, spec. nov.
T. Trap dykes.
P. Panchet.
Clays.
M. Mahadeva sandstone.
Fault 7.
T. Trap dyke.
Bounding fault with fault-rock.
Metamorphic quartzite.
North, village of Nowadih.
Undoubtedly the great lowering of the area by the fault near Nowa-
dih has crushed and shattered the beds near it, mostly in long parallel
lines, the traces of which could be observed in the former sections.
СДО)
]RIA SECTIONS. 43
IL—THE WESTERN BASINS, BELONGING TO THE RER RIVER SYSTEM,
; A.—Irıa River SECTIONS.
The country between Dhamni and Karamdiha forming the watershed
between the Banki and Iria nullabs is very difficult of access ; dense jungles
cover most of the ground, and great deposits of alluvial sands and clays
extend all over that part of the field, so that the nullahs seldom expose
rock in situ, and that only at long intervals.’
10.—Regai Nullah and neighbouring country.
In the Regai nullah, near the village, I met with clayey sandstones
with marly partings of a dense red brick colour, which I noticed in many
sections intercalated between the Panchets and Mahadeva sandstone, and
which I connect with the former. They are lithologically identical with
the Panchets near Chumra and near Lawa already noticed, and I have
also met them in great force in the southern outcrops of the basin near
- Каса, overlying the Raniganj series ; all are most probably to be corre-
lated with the red and purple clays of Lawa. Between the Regai and
Iria nullahs calcareous gritty sandstones, very soft, alternate with and
pass into this red sandstone. Partings of ferruginous plates of slag-
like appearance remind one of the Mahadeva sandstone, but still I separ-
ate the group from the overlying sandstone of that period.
These sandstones all show false bedding, sometimes as much as 45°
with the plane of stratification ; an overlap occurs in every section, so
that it is very difficult to correlate beds of even adjoining sections. The
red clays usually appear between the sandstone beds as thin partings and
often as lenticular masses of considerable dimensions. Here and there
the red clay passes into motley lavender-coloured clay shales in which I
found fossils a short distance down the river.
A long fault of east-by-north direction separates the mass. of
Panchet sandstones and shales, and along this lime of fracture a narrow
! Several names that have to be used in describing this wild country are only marked
on the 1-inch maps. Special copies of those maps can be obtained at the Geological Survey
Office by any one wishing for the detailed information.
Т
44 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
dyke of trap may be traced for a considerable distance. Between Palgi
and Thurkunda the sequence of beds is the same as in the Nowadih section,
but between that locality and Karamdiha the relations are very obscure,
only here and there reddish sandstone or clays indicate the presence of
Panchet rocks.
11.—Sections in the Ledho Nullah north of Karamdiha.
Near the village of Karamdiha trap is 00 situ and forms the hill on
which the village is situated. But immediately north of the place, in
the Ledho nullah, I found :—
2.— Raniganj beds consisting of a series of shales and thin-bedded sandstones of a
type which is best seen near Parasdiha in the Morne river, as will be
shown further on. These beds are exposed north-east of the Karamdiha
village on the slope down to the river; the strike is north-east to south-
west, dipping about 5? to south-east, below the upper beds, which I shall
notice presently. The cliff consists in descending order of :—
(d) light-coloured soft shales, and sandstone 1; (c) clay shales, very friable;
(b) carbonaceous shales with a thin bed of leafy coal; this bed resembles
a similar layer of carbonized leaves seen in the Reonti cliff, to be
described further on. Remains of Glossopteris communis, Fstm., and
G. angustifolia, Bgt., were found in these shales. (а) Dark conchoidal
shales.
1. Barakar shales and sandstones of the typical character; the base is not seen,
being covered up by the alluvial deposits of the river.
A short distance higher up the river, at a place where two small
streams join the Ledho, south-east of Sihai, a group of beds are seen
consisting in descending order of—
3. Panchets. k. Gritty sandstones with ferruginous partings, overlaid and inter-
stratified with red clays and gritty sandstone.
i. Red shales a x
h. Ferruginous sandstone . ... ... $ Dip 5 to 7° north-east.
9. Whitish grey marly shales
f. Red shales.
e. Thin beds of sandstone of Mahadeva character with ferruginous
partings.
d. White shales and thin-bedded sandstone.
(129
TRIA SECTIONS. 45
c. Red shales 3'6” of the same type as those seen in the Lawa sec-
tion (7).
b. Ferruginous yellow and variegated sandstones and shales with bands
of iron ore, with an irregular band of gritty sandstone of about
8’ thickness, thinning out to about 1'6” within a distance of 20
yards. The dip is rolling, about 5° to north-west.
In places where the upper beds are denuded, this sandstone is over-
laid by a coarse breccia consisting chiefly of fragments of Mahadeva-
like sandstone, ironstone nodules, with rolled fragments of
metamorphie rocks cemented together by a matrix of ferruginous
matter, the whole, however, only of recent origin.
a. Whitish-grey marly shales with—
Glossopteris angustifolia, Bgt.
53 communis, Fstm., and
Thinnfeldia-like ferns.
Ascending the southern branch of the Ledho nullah, south of Salsuli,
І got again into the Raniganj group dipping below the above beds of
Panchet type.
12.—Sections between Karamdiha and No. 506 Н. T., including the Lower
Ledho, Chorki, and Kundkepi Nullahs.
The river bed between Karamdiha and Bhalui is so sandy that only
few exposures are met with, but it is probable that the isolated cliffs seen
belong to the Panchet group, being a continuation of the Panchets of the
upper Ledho nullah. The first rock z» situ is found in the great bend of
the river about a mile west of the village, where in descending order I
found :—
Panchets. f. Yellow marly clays with ferruginous nodules.
e. Red mails.
. Yellow marly clays.
Light grey marly shales, very friable.
. Dark and variegated clay shales, towards top micaceous and shaly, with
Glossopteris communis, Fstm.
Pecopteris ? odontopteroides, M. *
. Light grey marly shales and clays, very friable.
сз с а,
2
The dip is rolling, but generally to the south ; the whole is overlaid by
thick-bedded masses of grits with strings of pebbles very similar to the
Lundra grits which will be described further on.
(КӨ Т)
46 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
Between the villages of Bhalui and Boder the beds are much shattered,
and a series of local parallel faults run across in a south-west to north-
east direction. Since we find trap dykes along these lines of disturbances,
similar to the Nowadih section, it is probable that the local disturbances
are only owing to the eruption of trap. The Ledho and Bhalui nullahs
afford the only opportunities for examination, so it was impossible to trace
the lines of faults beyond the beds of the rivers, and I had to trust to con-
jeeture for the remainder) In the Ledho south of Bhalui 1 observe the
coarse Panchet grits to dip southwards, where they are suddenly cut off,
thrown down to the level of the Barakars, which dip there at 8°, to east ;
descending I found :—
a. Thin-bedded sandstone and shales.
. $. Grey clays with patches of variegated shales with—
Vertebraria indica, Royle.
Glossopteris communis, Fstm.
c. Ripple-marked sandstone with partings of iron ore.
d. Green micaceous marly shales, somewhat like Talchirs in appearance.
e. Marly yellow and reddish shales of great thickness, near base friable grey
shales,
f. Thin bed of coal.
g. Same as e.
h. Coal with shaly partings 5' 2.”
i. Greenish marly shales, breaking into small rhomboidal fragments, with in-
tercalated grey shales and a parting of bituminous shales 1.’
j. Great thickness of bituminous shales.
k. Grey micaceous fine-grained sandstone.
1. Blue shales.
Trap dyke.
Barakar sandstone and shales.
Trap dyke.
Barakar sandstone jointed into brick-like masses.
Trap.
в
Blue shales with coal seams above sandstone beds, dipping about 70° east.
1 This remark applies also to the Sita Chua and Nowadih sections; rocks appeared
in situ only in the beds of the streams, and the lines of fault had to be continued in per-
fectly straight lines as shown on the map, owing to the obseurity of all the intervening
country.
оа ee oe em ETA
Toce
FT UU
DENT
Non
IRIA SECTIONS. 47
Fault.
Raniganj shales and sandstones in high cliffs along bank of Ledho nullah, dip
south-east, gradually changing to south.
Barakars. h.
9.
Exposure in Bhalui Nullah.
Descending: dip 6°-7° to east.
Blue clay. |
Same аз e, with parting of thin bed of micaceous sandstone.
f. Thick bed of micaceous grey sandstone.
e.
d.
с.
b.
a.
Friable dark blue and ferruginous shales.
Same as б.
Bituminous shales.
Thin ferruginous bed.
Greenish and blue shales with nodules of iron ore.
The Chorki Nullah.
Dip 25° east, exposes a section through the followmg Raniganj
rocks; descending :
a.
. Thin-bedded sandstone and shales, reddish micaceous, very soft.
. Micaceous clayey shales.
. Hard micaceous sandstone.
. Coaly shale with thin seams of coal.
. Banded leafy sandstone.
. Hard thick-bedded sandstone, fine-grained.
. Thin-bed of calcareous soft sandstone.
5 „ mieaceous shaly sandstone (Reonti type).
. Thin beds of clay shales.
. Same as Ah.
. Ferruginous shales.
. Soft thick-bedded sandstone.
. Ripple-marked thin-bedded sandstone (as A).
. Thin-bedded ferruginous and variegated sandstone and shales; marly
and micaceous at places, with concretionary structure,
Thick beds of ferruginous sandstone.
About a mile south of Kundkepi these beds are cut off by the bound-
ing fault,
which throws them against the metamorphies—here tour-
maline granite.
In all the small rivulets falling into the Iria nullah east of Colhuar
village (not on the map), we find shales and sandstone evidently belong-
ing to the same group of rocks (Raniganj) dipping below the hill No.
(ET
48 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
506 H. T., which is composed of red grits and sandstone with red clays
below, which I identify with the Panchets, as shown in the eastern
sections. These strata cover the Raniganj below, forming an oblong
patch on them.
South of the Iria nullah the Raniganj series is cut off by a fault,
probably the same which I observed south of Karamdiha, but here it is
well shown in all the nullahs coming from Kotrahi and Garia. The
direction of this fault is then west-10°-south to east-10°-north, the
fracture is nearly perpendieular with a slight dip to the south, bringing
the sandstone and shales on the same level with the adjoining Mahadeva
sandstone. The fracture is filled up with fault-rock, very ferruginous
and hard, which is less affected by subaerial denudation than the adjoin-
ing rocks, and consequently is left as a wall-like ridge of about 5 feet in
thickness standing high above the sandstones. |
13.— Section along the Balsotha Nullah.
The Balsotha nullah and the nullahs west of it falling into the Iria
and Morne have denuded away the whole of the Panchet grits and
Raniganj beds and left only the Barakars in shattered remains, bounded
on the north by the fault between Chorki and Geruáni, and along the
south and west by the Mahadeva hills, which are faulted against the
Barakars, as is well seen in all the river sections.
The section along the Balsotha Nullah between Saura on the north
and the Iria nullah south is as follows :—
Saura village is on tourmaline granite, and the fault boundary with
the Gondwánas is shown well in the bed of the river, where a ridge of
porous fault-rock (chiefly quartz) fills up the fracture.
In ascending order :—
Barakars.
1. Fine-grained sandstone and shales with shaly sandstone, dip 35° south-
east.
2. Grey and variegated conchoidal shales.
3. Coal, with partings of shales, thickness 2' 6", dip 25^ south-east.
4. Ripple-marked variegated sandstones.
5. Bituminous shales, with thin partings of coal, thickness 1’.
(C A9
IRIA SECTIONS, 49
6. Shales.
7. Thick-bedded sandstone.
8. Shaly micaceous sandstone, 15° south-east.
9. Soft unevenly bedded caleareous sandstone, with gritty beds.
10. Shales and shaly sandstones.
11. Thick mass of false-bedded sandstone overlappng locally the series below.
12. Shales and banded sandstones, 5? south-east.
Fault.
Thick bed of sandstone.
Fault.
Beds are here much disturbed, and the dip changes gradually to east
and north-east, and finally to north, at 38°, when we find in descending
order :
Banded sandstones aud shales.
Soft sandstones.
Fault.
Same beds as above:
1. Sandstone.
( Grey conchoidal shales, bituminous, with banded micaceous and ripples
| marked sandstones, dip 15° north, with—
2. 4 Grey clay shales (near junction with Balsotha nullah, dip 8° north-
| east.
L Banded micaceous sandstone.
3. Shales with Солт.
The whole series is, however, very much disturbed and shattered, and
further on it appears that the same group of shales and sandstones are
several times repeated. )
The oblong expanse of Barakars mapped between the Balsotha -
nullah and the Pipra hills offers only a few exposures in the shallow
nullahs. At several places south of the Pipra hill, fig. 1, Plate 5, and
agam near Maihewa, Barakar shales, with traces of leaves, are unmis-
takeable, but the remainder seems to be mostly fine-grained sandstone of
Barakar type, traversed in several directions, as already described, by trap
dykes, which have altered the neighbouring shales into a brick-like rock.
The faulted boundary with the Mahadevas is well seen south of
Hargaon and of Gurmuti, where a fault-rock similar to the one described
from the Garia nullah forms a high dividing ridge between the two
groups.
d | ССТТ?)
50 GRIESBACH: RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
B.—Morne River SECTIONS.
14.— Section m the Morne Nullah between Kandia and Hadras, Fig. 3,
Plate 4.
3. Talchirs. In the Hadrai nullah they show the following section :—
a, boulder-bed ; b, irregular bed of marls and shales with boulders ;
c, thick beds of greenish fine-grained sandstone with lenticular
masses of boulder-bed; d, silty-green boulder-bed ; e, fine-grained
sandstone with marly yellow and green shales, strike north 20°
east to south 20? west, dip 10° to north-20°-west.
2. Sub-metamorphic conglomerate as described before, page 10.
l. Granite, with two hornblendic dykes.
Near the junction of the Morne with the Joba nullah the Talchirs
are brought into direct contact with the Mahadevas by faulting. "Tho
beds are a good deal crumpled here by a succession of north-west to
south-east faults, which in one or two places expose the purple and
variegated coloured marls or clays of Panchet type below the Mahadevas
which now dip 25° to 27? south-west.
15.— Sections of the Lundra Hills. |
In the nullahs flowing from the Lundra hills, and joming either
the Suknai or the Morne later on, we obtain very good sections through
all the beds of Gondwána rocks.
In descending order :—
6. Mahadeva sandstone, forms a eap as it were on the top of the Panchet
grits and clays, and with the latter is much shattered and traversed by
local faults, difficult to trace. Near Lundra the lower beds (Panchets)
appear again from below the Mahadevas and. present a rolling dip,
wherever seen, in the small nullahs intersecting this plain.
5. Panchets. е. Gritty sandstone with angular pebbles of metamorphies
and hard ferruginous conglomerates consisting of an-
gular fragments, some of considerable size.
No exposure for some distance.
d. Bluish silts, similar to (6), here and there variegated,
with gritty masses and bands of clay iron ore.
c. Gritty ferruginous shales.
b. Silty beds, not unlike Talchirs in some respects, but
densely red.
a. Marly beds, splitting into rhomboidal pieces.
(Gri Size.)
E SN чени
MORNE SECTIONS. 51
No exposure for some distance.
4. Raniganj. Fine-grained ferruginous grits.
No exposure seen for some distance.
3. Barakars. е. Shales and sandstones of Barakar type.
b. Coal-seam, 7' thickness. Strike north 30° east to south
30° west: dip 9° north 30° west.
a. Sandstone, worn out in potholes,
2. Talchirs. Same succession as that seen in the Hadrai nullah. In the
southernmost part of the Lundra sections the belt of Talchirs is only
about a quarter of a mile in width; near Pandauli village it is nearly
a mile wide, but forms now only a thin plastering over the metamor-
phics. North-east of Pandauli the Talchirs are worn away, and tlie
underlying granite is exposed for some distance, forming an island as it
were in the Talchirs.
1. Granite.
About a mile west of Lundra village the Panchet grits are again cut
off by a north-west to south-east fault, which brings them into direct
contact with the Barakars, which are well exposed in the Suknai nullah.
The sections shown in the Tabor and similar nullahs are greatly
obscured by alluvial sands, and do not afford good material for observa-
tions. Similar clays and grits, as before described, are seen at intervals in
the rivers and show a rolling dip, and in a red clay, containing lumps of
` hematite, Vertebraria indica, Royle, and Glossopteris communis, Fstm., were
found ; the bed corresponds exactly with bed 30 of the following section.
Below Udhari I came suddenly on Barakars, of exactly the same type as
seen in the neighbouring Suknai nullah; and west of Lundra, in the
Suknai nullah itself (south-east of the Sarsera), a faulted boundary be-
tween the Barakars and Panchet grits is clearly shown.
16.—The section in the Suknai Nullah, between Sarsera and the junc-
tion with the Morne River.
In descending order as follows :—
Barakars.
Starting from the Morne river :
Dip 5° W, 20° N. 48. Bluish shales with faint impressions of
eaves Su m p
47. Banded micaceous sandstone with coal
markings bes v e MEAN GU
52 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
( 180
46.
45.
44.
43.
42.
41,
40.
39.
38.
37.
36.
35.
34.
33.
32.
31.
30.
Shales with band of hematite
Banded sandstone T en
Blue shales En EN то
Sandstone “боа i
Shales on ox am
Banded sandstone with carbonaceous
markings
Shales Bes
Banded mieaceous sandstone os
Sandstone ax Vis 009
Conchoidal shales a сЗ
Shales and sandstone, not well shown,
about ie
Fine-grained yellowish sandstone
Shales d ves ET
Red banded sandstone mo
Shales with heematite band
Grey fine-grained sandstone ... :
Clay shales with hzematite band containing—
Vertebraria indica, Royle, Glossopteris
communis, Fstm. о «e
29. Coal-seam jam E US
28. Shales with Glossopteris communis, Fstm.
27. Fine-grained micaceous sandstone with
coal-markings ; ripple-marked
26. Conchoidal shales... aa
25. Fine-grained greyish yellow sandstone
24. Sandstone and shales ; the former micaceous
with carbonaceous markings
23. Blue shales nes TM =
22. Fine-grained sandstone with ripple-marks
21. Blue shales.
20. Fine-grained mieaceous sandstone with car-
18:
17.
· bonaceous markings; purplish-coloured
fine-grained sandstone withripple-marks
and grey sandstone
. Gritty sandstone ... T
Blue shales EOS ves
Banded micaceous sandstone with marks of
coal overlaid by thin shales and bluish
grits; the latter contains a thin parting
of shales BP RR s
S!
e"
47
6"
e"
Д?
6"
6"
MORNE SECTIONS. 53
16. Shales T е Boat lá
15. Thick bed of sandstone КА, RISE:
14. Conchoidal clay shales T weal oat
13. Thin-bedded reddish sandstone overlaid by
grits in thick beds, with intercalated
thin beds of shales "4 25 12/
12. Blue conchoidal shales TE xc AO
11. Greyish gritty sandstone xc 2 Ө!
10. Bluish clay shales Ae ЖЫ A
9, Coal-seam an M Ei d CINA A
8. Conchoidal shales BEDS er
` 7. Banded sandstone M NIU
6. Blue carbonaceous shales EA ev m Abl
5. Coal ... m zh BERND ДЕ
4. Conchoidal shales КУ, жү и
3. Reddish sandstone, gritty 3 CUN
2. -Shales Jul, ae IR
1. Sandstone.
Toran a дау
Along the Suknai Nullah, south of Sarsera, I found in descending order :
JI. Ranigang ?
Dip 70? W.-30"N.
I. Barakars.
Dip 50° W.-20°N.
Dip 30° W.
29.
28.
27.
26.
25.
24,
23.
22.
21.
20.
19.
18.
17.
Soft white felspathic grits with pebble beds ; jointed.
Yellowish and blue conchoidal shales alternating with sand-
stone.
Dark shales alternating with ferruginous sandstone.
Gritty earthy 'sandstone, micaceous, with carbonaceous mark-
ings and partings of hard ferruginous shales.
Mieaceous clay shales.
Hard sandstones,
Carbonaceous shales.
Hard sandstone.
Carbonaceous shales.
Banded reddish micaceous sandstone, with partings of shales.
Grey conchoidal shales.
Hard fine-grained sandstone.
Dark shales,
Coal-seam эс = БТ
54 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
16.
15.
14.
18.
12.
108
Dip 40°W. 20° N. 10.
' 9. Thin irregular bed of felspathie grit.
. Banded shales ; traces of leaves.
Dip 35? W. 20? N.
NY н> Ol DD
m
Hard thin-bedded sandstone with micaceous bands.
Thin bed of hard blue shales.
Thin bed of hard sandstone.
Dark clay shales... 13 AMO
Coal, with shaly partings, dbielivess m. c MEM
Reddish-banded mieaceous sandstone.
Dark-grey very hard clay.
. Grey clay shales, with papery-yellow shales, towards top densely
red; traces of fossils.
. Thin-bedded grits, towards base micaceous.
. Friable grey shales.
. Grits alternating with micaceous shaly sandstone.
. Banded shaly sandstones, traces of fossils.
. Mieaceous shaly sandstone, very carbonaceous.
. Dark hard conchoidal shales.
The section ends against Panchet beds along a fault.
The section in the Suknai nullah is evidently a continuous one, as is
proved by the coal-seam; the 7' 4^ coal-seam bed 12 of the last sec-
tion is probably identieal with the 7’ seam of the Lundra (Belia) section,
and I identified this seam and nearly the whole group of beds in the
following section.
17.—Section along the Nullah north-west of Ranka Khar,
Between the Mahadeva escarpment and the Morne river, I found the
following beds in descending order:
18.
17.
16.
15.
14.
13.
12.
11.
( 182
м7
Мо exposure for some distance ; just below
the Mahadevas are whitish grits and
clays, which probably belong to Pan-
chets.
Shales with coal ... es ann 0 4
Sandstone.
Shales with a thin carbonaceous layer ne 1797067
Sandstone.
Shales igi Pid ¿COGÍ
Cone ©: ER т]. „Йй!
Thin splitting Wied
Sandstone with iron ore beds ... AOS
Tw AENA IIA
Barakars.
MORNE SECTIONS. 55
10. Shales with coal `... 5 dac 10007
9. Shales and banded sandstone ... ee mage Oe
8. Shales.
No rock seen in situ.
7. Coal-seam en k. Ar RIT +
6. Shales 25 awe
5. Hematite bed E A | 300'
4. Sandstone and shales
No rock seen in situ W 1207 0"
3. Banded micaceous sandstone ... ANS UE
2. Shales with a thin seam of coal zu 6 9^
1. Coarse-grained yellowish sandstone.
18.—Section in the Budatand Nullah.
In the adjoining Budatand nullah I obtained nearly the same suc-
cession of rocks and coal-seams.
In descending order:
IV. Mahadevas.
III. Panchets ?
II. Ranigang.
J. Barakars.
Dip 20° north-
west, but rolling
considerably.
White gritty sandstone with strings of pebbles.
. Hard brown mieaceous sandstone.
. Greenish sandstone with strings of pebbles.
Soft micaceous shales with fossils.
. Shales with fossils—
Schizoneura gondwanensis, Fstm.
Glossopteris angustifolia, Bgt.
. Soft light grey micaceous shales, marly, with traces of fossils.
. Thick-bed of mealy felspathic sandstone.
. Shales and sandstone.
. Coal, with shaly partings.
. Thin-bedded sandstone and shales.
. Conchoidal shales.
. For some distance rocks in situ are only seen here and there
higher up—
. Carbonaceous shales, with partings of coal... 0' 6"
. Hard sandstones with grey micaceous and
bituminous shales alternating ri 480.07
. Shales and sandstone alternating with band-
ed shales on top i Or
( 189
56 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
21. Conchoidal shales with thin ferruginous
partings and clayey shales at base els (pu
20. Shaly coal er qu wu 05797
19. Banded shales with micaceous sandstone oa 1 c
18. Coal with shales ... uico
17. Shales and sandstone with fossil leaves } 17' o
16. Sandstone
15. Shaly coal 1, Ыл к 2 004
14. Coal-seam a т ЗУ
13. Dark bluish shales... isi avc A! OL
12. Sandstone in a thick bed als 283.207
11. Thin-bedded sandstone and shales ver 42 1A
10. Coaly shale with nodules of iron ore =. 010267
9. Banded grey micaceous shales and sandstone 24 0”
8. Shales ... am Br sae IO
7. Hard sandstone .., in ai A"
6. Coal ... En T ane Ora 404
5. Sandstone and shales A n 1540
4. Coal ... N dt к O ESA
3. Sandstone and shales AN 2. ООА
2 Coal ies ES eco 87
1. Hard fine-grained sandstone.
TOTAL „. 440' 6
19.—Section South of Manpur.
In the Morne river south of Manpur, I found Barakars well deve-
loped; the series is cut off by a fault about a mile south of Manpur
village, and thrown against Mahadevas, which apparently dip below the
Barakars.
In descending order I found :
J. Barakars :
Dip 15? N. 40. Shaly sandstone... ae aia’, ОЗ ЧӨ
39. Grey shales with clunchy clays and sand-
stone with thin coal-seam 2”... 2 9
38. Same as 36. |
o Cov xe " x WD 2A
36. Dark-blue shales with clunchy ochre-colour-
ed clays N A we LOTO,
35. Shales ... Usa E eee lid ah
( 184° )
30.
MORNE SECTIONS.
. Coaly shale
. Same as 31
. Coal-seam
« Blue conchoidal a with ор { н
of clay iron оге and bands of К We
sandstone ons >
Earthy bed gradually passing int dus
shales he
. Dark shales, мей
‚ Coal-seam : г.
. Shales and flaggy ака аалз very
fine-grained and white T
. Not exposed 200' in the bend of the Mobi
river. The following is the escarpment
seen on the right bank, immediately
below the village :—
. Sandstone with partings of shales
. Blue shales T2 js
. Banded carbonaceous sandstone and shales...
. Carbonaceous shales iss
21. Coal-seam
ay 00 ©
. Shales .. E
: Со Е НА xa
. Shales (with coal-seam 1") dis n
. Mieaceous sandstone with carbonaceous mark-
ings iud oe
. Coal „a u un
. Shaly banded sandstone ST A
. Shales ... = зо эсс
‚ Coal
‚ Sandstone and shales:
. Shaly micaceous grey sandstone with fossil
traces; partings of shales and ripple-
marked.
. Same as 7.
. Layer of hematite.
. Dark grey shales.
. Grey shales and flagey sandstone : some
distance section hidden by river
. Thin-bedded sandstone with bed of shales ,.,
. Bluish-grey conchoidal shales ,., m
. Hematite bed A 51 "m
10'
39'
74!
14!
15'
1’
5!
T
0
31
y
15
17
Ily
4
6”
y
6"
10"
6
9”
=
6”
6”
57
58 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
3. Hard ferruginous sandstone ... Е
No exposure.
2. Grey shaly micaceous sandstone TOUR ду
1. Mieaceous sandstone fas ла 0
20.— Section in the Morne near Parasdıha.
Between the junetion of the Morne and the Budatand river and
Parasdiha nullahs there is a succession of beds of Barakar type shattered
by a series of parallel faults of north-20^-west and south-20°-east direc-
tion. I observed not less than four distinct faults in that portion of the
section. The dip is very varying, and rolls from 5? north-west to about 5?
east; but the section is too much covered by recent deposits to afford
opportunities for study. Between the junction of the Parasdiha with the
Morne river and the junction of the latter with the Satnachna, I obtained
a very broken and faulted section of Raniganj beds as follows :—
Ascending :
Raniganj shales, &e.
Fault.
Ranigan).
1. Sandy micaceous soft shales with fossil traces о OE
2. Sandstone zn zn a аи
3. Grey shales containing— 3d m i. 05861
Vertebraria indica, Royle.
Glossopteris communis, Fstm.
damudica, »
35
angustifolia, Bgt.
БЕД
4. Thin-bedded sandstone ae EUR $e VORNE
5. Grey flaggy and micaceous sandstones ... ll s
6. Grey friable shales M 2 NE
7. Beds 5 and 6 alternating d 6 dea ae
8. Sandstone dta set то se 2 EDU
9. Grey friable shales M 2 es Olea
10. Sandstones эг 5o de rene cd?
11. Flaggy sandstone and shales alternating ... a
12. Grey, very friable shales oh ids SEM LS p
13. Flaggy sandstone a M (vio UNOS
14. Sandstone Jis e 500 Bl
3 repetitions of this series by faulting.
15. Blue shales, sandstone flags and shales — ... Ad)
CEG)
MORNE SECTIONS. 59
16. Micaceous shaly sandstone — ... ons Pues А LÀ
17. Sandstone ripple-marked Ber о ТОО"
18. Micaceous shaly sandstone and clays alternating Be SAA
19. Shaly coal, with partings of shales 3 rs oU edis
20. Shales 4 A e ESA
21. Flaggy sandstone and shales imd Aa AY DM туу
22. Shaly coal Be ех 3 E O0 oF
23. Sandstone flags and shales — ... 18'
24. Thick bed of sandstone, ferruginous and doped by be
of hematite (2°) sik zs О ALO?
25. Shales with fossils ict A aye: a
26. Sandstone flags and shales — ... aes е piss
. 27. Thick bed of sandstone i A Sale
28. Soft felspathie sandstone in irregular beds.
Fault.
28. Sandstone.
Shales, &e.
At first the dip is 15° north-west, but it inereases to 20° north-
west within a short distance.
21.—Sections in the Suidud, Kubia, and Andherua Nullas and the country
westwards.
The sections along the Suidud, Kubia, and Andherua nullahs seem to
be equally affected by the parallel faults noticed in the Morne river,
for the Gondwánas there are completely shattered, and it is scarcely
possible to identify the beds. The only point I could settle with any
degree of certainty. is, that the metamorphies south of these nullahs,
near Dand Karua for instance, are covered by a considerable thickness of
Talchir boulder-bed and shales; enormous boulders of lentieular shape
are seattered throughout the silty matrix of the Talchirs, many of them
being weathered out by sub-aerial denudation. Above Talchirs follow
the remains of Barakar sandstones, shales, and coal-seams. The Barakar
sandstone of the Suidud nullah, containing Nöggerathiopsis hislopi,
Bunb., affords a very good illustration of erosion by water ; large pot-holes
and narrow gorges are formed by the rush of the water during the
rainy season, as shown in the annexed drawing, fig. 3 :—
les)
RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELD
GRIESBACH
60
3. Erosion m Barakar Sandstone of Suidud nullah.
Eig
MORNE SECTIONS.
61
Just beneath the Mahadevas of the Kathota hill a narrow strip of
red sandstones crops out with red and purplish clays, which I include
amongst the Panchet rocks on lithological grounds.
Similarly obseure are all the sections afforded in the Satnachna
nullah; I could only obtain broken groups of rocks, and if they had not
fortunately yielded fossils, it would have been very difficult to make out
their relations.
The nullah euts through the strata near Reonti, exposing them in
two vertical cliffs of very nearly horizontal bedding.
west of the village is as follows :—
Descending :
12.
11.
10.
н ооо оо “Үү со co
Thinly-bedded grey shales and soft sandstones
Bluish shales ... = :
Micaceous sandstone flags cath carbonaceous mark-
ings; they weather purplish
. Blue shales with layers of mica s des
. Conchoidal blue shales
. Same as 10
. Bluish shales
. Hard purplish sandstone hee
. Shales ike
. Hard purplish sandstone fies
. Clay shales t
. Same as 10 and 7...
One of them due
ДШИ
o e"
o 6
Similar is the vertical cliff north-west of Reonti village (southern
village).
Descending :
11.
. Mieaceous purplish-grey sandstone fase”
. Marly, ochre-coloured shales
. Grey, very friable shales
. Leafy lignite, consisting entirely of fossil сат
. Uneven bed of clunchy clay ...
. Same as 8 on.
Soft calcareous sandstone
1' 67
1!
o 107
0 6"
0' 14
0' A"
o Y
62 GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
4. Grey marls, micaceous, alternating with yellowish-
coloured soft sandstone ; the beds of the latter are
only about l" thick near top; towards base the
divisions widen and sandstone predominates 20 ISO
3. Dark-grey bituminous shales у ү 6"
2. Grey micaceous shaly sandstone with— DRE:
Glossopteris indica, Schmp.
l. Grey shales, base not seen.
TOTAL cn do
About three miles further down the Satnachna nullah west of Dhonda
village, I found another exposure, in descending order :
6. Fine marly yellowish-brown sandstone... nek: obice
9. Micaceous shales with carbonaceous markings E. D
4. Marls xx ses e sn OA
3. Nodular iron ore band with reddish shales, contain-
ing— bar чод
Glossopteris indica, Schmp.
2 communis, Fstm.
. Clay shales a M m iss. ¡ORO
1. Grey micaceous shaly sandstone with coaly markings,
3"
Gru e
e
bo
base not seen.
There is very little doubt that these beds all belong to the Barakar
group; both the lithological character as well as the paleontological
evidence point in that direction.
Crossing over the level jungle country from Dhonda to Narola, I
came successively across felspathie grits and ochre-coloured shales, which
probably belong to the Raniganj series, as seen in the Morne river
near Parasdiha, the beds of which section strike across that part of
the country, but no absolute certainty can exist in the absence of a good
section. The micaceous clay shales and red grits with purplish clays of
Narola itself may in that case be Panchets, immediately underlying the
Mahadevas. It is tolerably certain that all the groups of lower Gond-
wanas are represented in the patch between Noudiha and Ramkola, but
the beds seen there are merely detached portions of rocks, surrounded on
all sides by trap dykes and intrusive sheets, and in many places are
quite altered by the trap flows into a brick-like mass. The shales with
( 190 ) |
MAHAN SECTIONS. 69
sandstone beds of the Panphica nullah contain the following Barakar
forms :—
Glossopteris damudica, Fstm.
de indica.
e communis.
Neggerathiopsis hislopi, Bunb.
The shales and clays dipping below the scarp of the Tamor and Bendo
hills contain Glossopteris angustifolia, Bgt., Vertebraria indica, Royle
(branched form), and may probably belong to the Raniganj series, which
they resemble in some respects. Near Namadháka! I obtained a nearly
complete succession of the Gondwána series :—
I.—Mahadevas of the Kathota hill.
11.— Barakar type resting on the Talchirs, but nothing further was exposed
between these and the—
IIL—7alchir silts rest there on metamorphics (granite), containing many
boulders of red Vindhyan quartzites. They are well seen in all the
gullies coming down from the Kathota hill.
The great trap-sheet already mentioned has chiefly forced its way
between beds of the Panchets and the Mahadevas, so that in nearly all
the sections hereabouts, trap is met with in that horizon, though not
always seen in situ.
C.—MAHAN RIVER SECTIONS.
A very good section through nearly all beds of the Gondwánas is
obtained between the Mahadevas of the Tamor scarp and the metamorphie
series south of the Mahán river, fig. 3, Plate 5. I found in descending
order : |
6. Тһе Mahadeva sandstones and grits form the wall-like escarpments of the
Tamor and Dokrichana hills, which rise up to 2,758 feet, and which I have
already described in my general chapter on Mahadevas, p. 19.
'Namadháka is a favourite encamping ground of the Gaewallas (herdsmen) of Sing-
rowli, who take their cattle to the Sirguja jungles during the dry season for grazing pur-
poses; it is south of Dand Karua and north-west of Pandari, just below the Mahadeva
scarp, which stretches in a nearly north-south direction from near Pakni to Dand Karua,
and which is called the Kathotha hills on the large survey maps.
(139155
64
GRIESBACH : RAMKOLA AND TATAPANI COAL-FIELDS.
5. Panchets ave at least very probable below the Mahadevas in the neighbourhood
of Garuatand, where yellowirh shaly clays are seen ¿n situ, but the relations
to the surrounding rocks are not clear enough to show them on the map.
4. Raniganj beds with numerous specimens of Schizoneura gondwanensis, Fstm.,
present in the Jokna nullah, but the boundary with the underlying Barakars
cannot even be guessed at, as the nullah does not afford a continuous section.
Similarly diffieult is the adjoining section near Majurdaki, where the trap
dyke has altered all the rocks, converting the whole into burnt brick-like
masses.
3. Barakars, containing Vertebraria indica, Royle., Glossopteris indica, Schmp.
The shales and sandstones near the trap have been altered into a glass-like slag in
some places, and in many ways the trap has disturbed and shattered the
adjoining rocks.
2. Talchirs. South of Ahirapara I found Talchir sandstones and silts with boulders
of the usual yellowish-green colour resting on the metamorphic series. They
form only a thin plastering over the older rocks, filling up hollows here and
there, and thinning out and disappearing below the Barakars south-west of
Chikni village.
A great trap dyke cuts through the area covered by Talchirs south of Ahirapara
and altered the shales in some measure, so that itis not easy to distinguish
them from the overlying Barakars.
1. The Metamorphic series.—Mica schist with veins of granite form the Hien
(
ridge south of the Mahan river, and is a continuation of the range of meta-
morphies which stretches from near Tatapani in a south-west direction to-
wards the Jilmilli field, separating the Bisrampur coal-field from my area.
South-east of Majurdaki the mica schist immediately underlying the Talchirs
contain numerous hornblendic veins, the whole dipping 55° to the north.
192 )
Memoirs: Vol. XV. PE 11. Pl. I. -
'
idara S
amo CEDAT
; І Gulgulp ab
of the Melamorphac series
POR E Y ; Won EL Peamatite 1
rr 4. Talchirs. EOS x
. E. Chiraikund
Assandıah
S
Du 1
Fig 2. Prof ile
1. Gneiss Y 2. Gram
Grissbach Üoal-field
N.
of
Rornkolo
and
Tata pani -
Remchoura
2"n31'
Gulgulp ab
| Kandia
QUI INDIA
(GORGE
Memoirs. Vol.
SO ШЕРТ ИТ
Fio |. Profile ‘of the Metamorphic
x
Т Gneiss Y 2. Micaschist > 3
Chiraikund
Fig 2. Profile
1 Gnetss т 2. Gram
serves
Peamatite
between the
tems of the
EOS
>
^arruo rp hc
cund ~~ 3. Trapdyke =>
Chunderpore
Hill, 3
Gohra
Serres
Pates
und
4. Trap with
of Assandial
4. Mahaderas
Loterite +> A
Тоа ала -
Talohirs .
Geological Survey of India.
ech, Coalfields of Ramkcla. Fig: 1. Vol. XV. P* II. PL II.
DE
x“
FL. Griesbach. F. G.S. del. R.Mintern lith.
Fıg.1. Potholes. in Talehir, Sandstone, North
of Mitgain.
Fig. 2. Talehir boulder-bed and shales,
Ё Southwest of Kandia.
\ Ў 7. Gneiss. 2. Hornblendie Fock.
_ Ж 3. Tourmaline Granite. 4. Vindhion Quartzite.
Mintern Bros, imp.
;
p^ Memoirs Мө XV Pt.II Pl.3.
KW
| "i y WS
| N
E
N N V N
\
y
\\
8
xy,
М
заран
A
A AN
N А S
ON
ا
22255
CC
X with vems of Pegmatite
WAN
enam JU EN |
Aw КОЛЛЕ
n Wl | i / [|
|| | i
No exposure
SUO HN. рае S- Wl xm wem x 0 F ї om xpo :
Griesbach. Coal-held of Ramkola ano Tatapanı = .
Wr
we iem
| Е н Р Agari
Sendur River Pathalb edy
سے
G. Mohadeva $5 st*
<B.Tolchire '
E Ranigany
E. Panchets
Fig 1. Between Mahadeva Escarpmest: W of Agart and the Metamorphle Rocks E of Patkalpedi
SW. M Sendur- River
\
\
y
= 191
Rest hidden
\
\
N \
Y \\ xw
N \Chloritid Senist |
\
Fig 2. Exposed in Nullahs between Cheghra and Ме 326 Н.Т.
SW. N2298 HT. NE.
Gidhi
y Panrı
Ruined Temple Y А :
1
ps
Mahadeva Sist J —
No exposure
sure
Ko pt
De E
No exposure
Ranıgan)
Y
Barakars \ \ ; < Tulchirs N
` WAN N
"Meyarterphics
\
719.3. Exposed in the Nullah Hast of Gidh and along the Banki Nullah to Panri.
N
md
NE
Y
E
E
Kandia
Mol. AB I.
Micaschist
Memoirs:
Panchet
E
2.
Nullah
Morne
Nullah
ub-metam°-
3
.
һе
отте
LO
x=
Panki Nullah
Barakarsı
Romig arg
16.
fo
rèd
TM
any 1 е (y
3rzerbach- Coul field
: б E 0 L
of Hamkyla and Talay ani
Memoirs
Vol. XV. Po II.
EI. E
| Keoli
Bax ki Маар
Minadevas
z
arakarsı
Tanchetn X
Rani gaz]
Barakars
D
Mig 1. Section
along the Nullakls Left and
Right ot the
Banki Nullah West
F. fault with B
of Chumra
faultrock 1. Micaschist 2. lo 13. Barokars 1% fo 16. Ranigany 17. to 21. Prauchets 22. Mahadevas
—
» N
П 5,
zo
2 o Kandia
س =]
AA ) Morne Nullah
=: Gargory Bankı Nullah Bankı
у — Я => - E ME —— nn
MESS. = zu : = ee Mahadeva Sandstone —
E = Granitic rocks ne T i ma
т — = 3.Talchirs
P.Fanchet ¢ R. Ramigany
Fug, 3. Sect
А | ty. 3. Section
Fig. 2. Section between Gargory aul Nowedih
.
between Kandia und the Morne Nullah
1. Grarate 2 Sub-metamorphic 3. Talchirs 4 Barakars of the Morne Nullah 5. Panchet
clays 6. Mahadevas
E
GRE ole REN ER ДГ, ОРИ: Ve
JE
GE OL-O GICAL SU RAN EN OF INDIA.
Grie ch Cool-Picla of Ramkola ond Tatapans
Mamoirs Vol
Ко Kothi village
M } Barakar Sandstone and onelew
Micaschist
much disturbed
Fig 1 Section hetween the Pipra Hill and Kothe village .
" 5
Turpa Morne Burwar
а AIr i
7 Yi =
затта ¿Granite N Mabadeva Sandstone Pu
"x
Fig 2. Section through the Mahadevas between Turpa and Ehond
5
richana Phases
2262' 2758'
\ Majurdeki
Fault Falt Fault
Mahan EE
Mahadevas
67 5
Talchirs Bhs іса сі
iesbach, del. & hu
Fig 3. Section between the Tamor plateau and the Mahan valley
nn al ا مص
— —
ra Dee m,
Em mn پا -
\
|
|
1
|
f
}
2
f
کد“
nw
]
1
SEO O EUG A L SURVE |
i
|
Griesbach: Coal-field of Bamkola und Tataponi i |
1
SAUER . т :
Reont: Bendo 2436
n
RE
1. Mahadeva escarpment (1) of the Tamor platee (so;
D, 127
гага: = отита
Fig. 2. Profile of Mahadeva hills as seen
|
Dani : Choura 2470
jb. Griesbach. del. & lith.
Fig. 3. Mahadeva hills (1) with Trapdyke (2).
H
vards from Pasatrn.
IN
Ah Se
КАТ
A
E
ys
+ "T N
en RT
п ҮН МИЙ: |1 y Н
nn
“u
ER
cmo
GEOLOGICAL SS U With, Ye OF NDA
ON шг Р Т
Griesbach: Coab-fteld of Bamkola und Tataponr Memoirs МО MOV pes TE mel
=
хато 22430
Reonti
4 ET C
1965
Khorai
Choura 2470
4.
C.L. Griesbach. del. & lith.
Jig. 3. Mahadeva hills (1) with Trap day he (2) southwards from Pasatrn.
موت ر =
Pig. 3. Exposed iw the “Nullah East of Gidh and along the Banki Nullah to Panri.
| Photorincographed undar tha Superiatmirnce of Cape Waterhouse, Barmyor Üesersla Office, Galata July 187В.
—
Ball. Hutar Coal- Field. GEOLOGIOAL SURVEY OF INDIA.
Memoirs Vol. XV. .
, THE
HUTAR COAL-FIELD.
Sub-division Palamow
DISTRICT
LOHARDUS9A.
——
Scale 1 Inch-1.Mile
га
13 s бе N
IE TKEE KH.
xa
GEOLOGICAL COLOURS & SIGNS
Mahadeva — Serien
akar Group
GOND WANA
system
alchir Du
[Metamorphic
Trap Dyken
Сол! Scams
алаас w
3j di Faults & Fault Rock
Dips & Strikes
Му een M -
N Da N ` ЗУБ N ih 3 а ZZ TE => i E y Synelinale АЛ Antielinalr
ONIS 2 E r SSE VE 2 ie SAPE Pos > f < Tf Qora
SN
: í an = { - j = [ К ' і NS qs Iron Ores _d.--Iron Furnaces
10,12 аза 13 of the Revenue Survey Map of Sub-division Palamow, Римеа а = = = z
Compiled from ahesta Nos, 9,
Lasa
o act nigra
ee
Re
yr s
T
ny
y
IAS
RIKE
E
í
}
T
Y
x
-
Ball. Auranga Coal- Field.
GDOLOGIOAL SURVEY OF INDIA.
Memoirs Vol, XV,
THE ‘
AURUNGA COAL- FIELD.
SubdivisionPalamow & Pergunnah Toree
DISTRICT
LOHAROUGGA.
ae x b 9 т ze Scale 1 Inch=1Mile.
от Govt Waste Blo 3 „== = =
i d
H y a Er © V ^. Ya ^ m t
адл T2 5 Tus 2 = 2 * En = VR y a QL N СУД 2 / A : Д Y - Le N } di ADI оопа “Җ
vits us алш? ium X 7-0 à f m : s : / | S е ү, e ii zat
Ollesulber2)
w
Bun
1
Р ЛҮ;
Le
um
Joonaaxov
EN
S Jin улаг Мата
RNA | IN a
AL j^ iori VENEN Ñ
O AN EN ASA > nb : R охе Y : E / NS
\ ro cac EM SSVI AEE om аар y) ; | IN 2 д |
53s F ar (i p t No ; TEMS | u A ‚ч A 3 Ў ATAN : js X: N X X A 1 х
wchurfieTola ta = Y E اد : f AR AS چا J б d RN ` a 529 AS x » , М. y, on Ж
с : rt = "S 1 ‹ A с 2 f eg A a N Ё к X - d » y sp Ў ИТ
2 E 3 [ee : N, $t 37 4 S S7] 398 SEN \ z З SE роо Кшт
м i - en CQ M ee f : Me | : ОО ue a
е
е Sm zi : Y Ss : c :
> AR . 9 S fe} 9 Y N; e С ` 3 ; w^. SPhuthertórui
Mod Senator & ; \ E : p : AS U а ЕИ CTS mue : NONIS x AR ү ў 3 `
ا y л < Se . [Uu {u E 3 y ^
S "D en í GE \ ies S A E ٤ / CEN pr Loto = Shan ў US S + j Í
RR
& SI
N
а гй
галап N
(ы! a еее
er
m
GEOLOGICAL COLOURS A SIGNS.
NER : FO
Mahndwa Bariss... a x pes d E. Mec. j ON... ОСЕ j TN d - = lon x EI ў z y Y Em F
; 4 S 1 J, 37 IN: Хх he 1 : © ] S i 9
( | Ў A
б
Panobwt group
[TI
Raniganı **
Bûraknn,. ээ.
SONDWANA.
(Mohan эу
Metomorphie Series
imestone in DA.
Coal enm
z \ 3 Аа
> Es \ x
: $ 5 © ` z7 MUNKHERFE , y BEE А m bn es \ A ج n ae
dia 5 N (s Я ^^ УУ Cant B um "E 1 к : ^ CES: y ` i = Bhurla ON toto OPN,
Pauta 4 Pauli Rook er iN Sz гү 18 y ۱ à AS д - ийле) à | - > l
v E dipl 72: М 3 : ES EE ЕЕ 2 : USO: C DOR Г I RN ; у = e ; |
[Die & sue. sss ER CUN w gat)? Ee 3 2 E | N T xd? 7 Я СА: ok Decius / : - y
He Ran YA r Е [T X УУ INA a iM D Uma
MI eyes S Na : \ filing i шай
NE \ } SE :
Selina w Anticlinals,
|
_ { jen Ores diron Furnace
|| |
der Abcela Nos. 1) 11;
18 and 14 of the Revenue Survey Map of sub-division Руш, District Lohardugya.
Pumcsregsghed under Go Seams of Саре С Масис Bew Grams {Уге Саза, JU 1878,
Ball. Coal-Fields of Palamow.
Memoirs Vol. XV
EN ees "Wa
E = Dh А Nc um 5 4 j pcc “Ж 27 хун y, 0 ta ed rd ERST INDEX
ES ees PEN 2692 - z 5 jgun) 2 $ 7 Е ~ п) FR
MAF | ! NM "EO И |
» gie > d M à > і
SHEWING THE RELATIVE POSITIONS EET Sort 1 N o, Kongai z \
E E = j e Chowkhı dose sb
of the 3 CA Dr
5 ~ ` GroLoorcat
f NIE { QUE rer? HE нера
i 5 ki Н a х j Ман тарс ER y ) ! : /
COAL-FIELDS OF PALAMOW E ES m e AES ` [у „зе : MS D Yor QA TS S
and А CON, E - à
ADJIOINING DISTRICTS.
CoLouns
Deccan Tran
PN «Shumsafad. El 77
Ch: Pyh? Гам аот
Prartahpoor Lehr Puthra Minh,
E d “ Y. Mahadeva Serves
/ д А eor زا ml À um T (i
SCALE 1.INCH=8 MILES. SER А
q dl UA х 5 = Janchet Group-
E: аттат f > ^
à Portu 14
о 2 A i
Names of Fields DISTRICTS REIHE j
Ranigon; De
1. Daltongenj .
2. Hutar .
Lurakor De.
3. Aurunga -i
у bi e > P O مرا a I » LE x Salen Ee a 2 Metumornplie Series.
f i f M ? à ў AT ? i
: EU A à = : A Ч S beh [Manos SC Ns 4 RSS a no
4. Karanpura.N_ . == AN a Z Я N f УШ) j 3 Ey 2 i 4 (OA PY a 3
A Сү е ASTA, «ждут. j ; ма. Spee
Tulehir Ds
PALAMOW
5. Ds Son
6. Chope ..........
KS
Foure I» 7 Fardts
M Uhr \ /
Jh )
HAZARIBAGH dais, Bee
8. Tatapani .
IR A
| 9. Bisrampur...... KO)
СА dt
Es [Itn
Roge
Le
ie
Vowudeeh
j Kooti
res
TM
Discos dha
Compiled from sheets Nos. 13 and 18 of the Map of Western Bengal.
Fhotozincogruphed under the Supermtendence of Capt*J. Waterhouse, Surveyor Generals Office. Calcutta July 1878
КОО ККА КУМУ NOS NI SANA NER pen mb hund nl re en ERES Rm enne m =;
2
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES
3 9088 01311 5944
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11