Joints as fingerprints of stress in the quaternary carbonate deposits along coastal Saurashtra, Western India

Abstract

Coastal cliffs and shore platforms are important geomorphic features of coastal areas of Saurashtra. These features are composed of medium to coarse grained carbonate sand and are designated as "Miliolitic limestones" that range in age from Middle to Late Pleistocene. Significant jointing has been observed in the Middle Pleistocene Miliolite Formation as well as in the younger shell limestone that comprises Chaya Formation of Late Pleistocene. Along with NE-SW trend which is the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress [S Hmax ] for Indian sub-continent, other trends recorded are NNE-SSW, N-S, NW-SE and E-W. When compared with other regional studies, neotectonic episode in Saurashtra peninsula appears to be younger than at least 125ky. The present study on joint sets also indicates that they are important to understand stresses associated with anticlockwise rotation of the Indian plate.

Testing the numerical models for boulder transport through high energy marine wave event: An example from southern Saurashtra, western India

“…Nott's (2003) equation for joint bounded boulder scenario (JBBS) assumed that boulder before being detached had only one side exposed to wave and is limited by five sides. As the regional setting shows shore platform and the cliff sections are jointed (Bhonde and Bhatt, 2009), the JBBS fits very well in present case (Fig. 2b).…”

“…saltation, rolling, suspension and a combination of these. The study area shows pronounce joints (Bhonde and Bhatt, 2009) based on which we assumed that the boulders were joint bounded; the tabular morphology of boulders and boring marks indicate it being derived from shore platform. Also NV-3 was found inverted at a distance of about 36 m from high tide line.…”

Archaeological Evidence for Modern Coastal Uplift at Diu, Saurashtra Peninsula, India

“…Diu is just north of the NE–SW Narmada Son Fault; this fault lies offshore and south of some onland faults, namely the Chachhar and Rupen faults (Bhatt et al., ). Recently, a few faults have been mapped on land (Gandhi et al., ), along with conspicuous joint sets in the late Quaternary limestone, and these manifest the effects of stress (Bhonde & Bhatt, ).…”

Late Pleistocene Relative Sea-Level Changes from Saurashtra, West Coast of India

“…The Saurashtra peninsula has experienced pronounced neotectonic activity as suggested by seismicity 21,22 , preserved raised marine notches 11,12 , development of joints 23 and archeological evidences 24 . Sharma et al 1 reported that fluvially reworked miliolites were deposited during the period 17-75 ka.…”