Systematic stratigraphic studies of cenozoic sediment of Kerala with special reference to Warkalli and Quilon formations

Abstract

The Kerala region is marked by a sedimentary newlinebasin which is the southern most one among the chain of coastal basins along the western margin of India. The marine incursions that occurred in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods have a bearing in the depositional facies of the western coastal basins of India. As far as the onshore sedimentary basin of Kerala newlineis concerned, major constraints in understanding the stratigraphy, are the sub horizontal disposition of the sequences and the paucity of exposures. The present study aims at the stratigraphic studies of these sedimentary sequences, mainly to work out newlinetheir litho and biostratigraphic lassification. It is also aimed at the determination of facies, their inter-relationships, the relative ages of newlinethe sediments and the evolution of the basin. The sedimentary sequences consisting of sand clay intercalations with impersistent lignite seams with occasional calcareous beds form the scattered outcrops. The basin is deepest around Alleppey where the sequence having a thickness of more than 600 metres occur in the subsurface covered by Recent deposits.