Photogeologic mapping north of Khairwara, Udaipur district, Rajasthan

Abstract

Photogeologic mapping of a sample area defined by latitudes 24° O to 6′N and longitudes 73° 30′ to 45′ E from a part of the Aravalli orogen, illustrates the advantages, as well as limitations, of photo-interpretation (PI) in terrains comprsing, highly deformed ancient rock formations. Discrimination between psammitic and pelitic metasediments is easy, using micro-relief and drainage parameters as PI elements; but that between pelites, ultra-basic schists and impure marbles is difficult and less reliable. Trends of foliations, several sets of joints and faults are distinct on the aerial photographs, but complete reconstruction of the superposed fold geometry is not possible.

Within the area studied, dominantly pelitic, psammitic and a little clacareous metasediments, intruded by ultra-basics, exhibit a prominent and persistent NNE trend defined by lithologic contacts, bedding and foliations, with steep northwesterly dips. In its central part, bands of psammites within the pelites exhibit a hook shaped fold interference pattern (type 3 of Ramsay, 1967) with the later upright (Fleuty, 1964) fold axial trace trending northwesterly.