INTRODUCTION

Introduction

The Shillong Plateau (Latitude: 250 to 260 N & Longitude: 900 to 930 E) is an uplifted
horst-like feature, bounded between the E-W Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) to the north, the E-
W Dauki Fault to the south, N-S Jamuna Fault in the west and NW-SE Kopili Fracture zone in
the east. Some other major structures such as N-S Nongchram Fault, N-S Um-Ngot lineaments
and NE-SW Barapani-Tyrsad shear zone, also traverse the Shillong Plateau (Fig. 1). Most of
these N-S trending lineaments are developed during the late Jurassic - early Cretaceous times.
The Shillong Plateau consists mostly of Archean Gneissic complex and Proterozoic Shillong
Group. The Shillong Group comprises orthoquartzite and phyllite. The granite plutons (mainly
porphyritic granite, 700-450 Ma) intruded into the gneissic basement, as well as the Shillong
Group cover. Small bodies of metamorphosed mafic igneous rocks are also found in Shillong
Plateau. The Sylhet basalts, a part of the Rajmahal–Sylhet flood basalt province, are well
exposed in the southern part of the Plateau. They and the ultramafic-alkaline-carbonatite
complexes of the Plateau have an inferred association with the Kerguelen Plume (Storey et al.,
1992; Ray et al., 2000; Kent et al. 2002). The Cretaceous-Tertiary sedimentary rocks occupy
the southern fringe of the Plateau.
The plateau is dissected by several faults formed by the Kerguelen plume-related domal
up-arching during the Mesozoic (Gupta and Sen, 1988) and uplift related to collision of the
Indian and Tibetan plates during the Cenozoic (Johnson and Alam, 1991; Bilham and England,
2001).

Previous Work
Considerable work has been done on Shillong Plateau to document the regional
distribution, stratigraphic positions and the geological characters of the of the different
lithounits of Shillong Plateau. P. Evans (1963) and Oldham (1885) have done the legendary
work on the plateau through the systematic mapping and proposed the stratigraphic schemes for
the lithounits of the plateau. The systematic geological mapping of the region was subsequently
carried out in details by Medlicott (1869), Godwin Austin (1869), La Touche (1887) and Mallet
(1876). Their contribution gave impetus in the further systematic of different parts of the region

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Fig.1. Regional geological and tectonic framework of the Shillong Plateau (compiled from
Evans, 1964; Mazumdar, 1976; Gupta and Sen, 1988; and Srivastava and Sinha, 2004).
1. Major fault-systems, 2. Archaean gneissic complex, 3. Shillong Group rocks, 4. Mafic
igneous rocks, 5. Porphyritic granites, 6. Sylhet traps, 7. Ultramafic-alkaline-carbonatite
complexes [Circled numbers indicate different locations: (1) Sung Valley, (2) Jasra, (3)
Samchampi, (4) Swangkre], 8. Cretaceous-Tertiary sediments. Blank portion represents
alluvium and recent sediments

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by later workers viz. Palmer (1923), Mukerjee (1939), Talukdar (1967), Bhattacharya and
Barman (2000). Medlicott (1869) reported the occurrence of granitoids masses in the
Meghalaya plateau. The Archaean and Precambrian rocks of the plateau have been mapped
systematically by Gogoi (1961-73), Munshi (1964-65) and Mazumder (1965-68). Their works
led to the delineation of the individual rock units of the Archaean and Precambrian (Shillong
group) but also revealed their inter-relationship and also brought interesting structural features
of the region. Geological Survey of India (GSI, 1974, 1989) gave the stratigraphic sequence,
geology and mineral resources of the region.
Mazumder (1976, 1986) gave a detail account on the region geology and field
relationships of felsic magmatism and associated litho units of Mylliem, Nongpoh, and Kyrdem
and South Khasi region of Meghalaya plateau. Rahman, (1991), has thrown light on the
emplacement condition of Precambrian felsic plutons of Meghalaya plateau. In series of
contributions, the petrology and petrochemistry of Mylliem felsic pluton have also been studied
(Rahman, 1981, 1985, 1987). Gosh et al., (1991, 1994, 2005) made comparative
geochronological and geochemical studies of the various granitoids and have inferred that these
felsic plutons represent final amalgamation events of the Gondwana Supercontinent.
Nilanjan Chatterjee et al., 2007 reported EPMA monazite data from the Metapelites of
two areas (Garo-Goalpara Hills) and Sonapahar gnissic complex. This age data combining with
metamorphic textural relations provide constraints on the evolutionary history of the SMGC.
Lal et al, 1978 carried out the details mineral chemistry, phase petrology and genesis of
sapphiring bearing and associated silica deficient rocks of Sonapahar area West Khasi Hills
district.

Objectives of the Study Tour

1. To study the mode of occurrence of different types of rocks in the field. Precambrian
rocks in the field.
2. To study the different rocks belonging to different ages
3. To study the Sandstone type Uranium Mineralization.
4. To study in field Sedimentary structures.
5. To prepare a comprehensive field report.

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 Geological Setting

The Shillong plateau is considered a detached Precambrian block of Indian Peninsula in

the northeast India is bounded to the south by E-W trending Dauki fault, to the north by
Brahmaputra fault ( Nandy and Dasgupta, 1986) or Oldham fault ( Bilham and England, 2001.
The plateau is separated from Mikir Hills in the Northeast by the alluvium tract of the Kopili
fault system (Dasgupta and Nandy, 1982). The northern reverse fault ‘Oldham fault’ is stated to
be deep-seated fault extending from 9-45 km beneath the surface and so it is not exposed at the
surface. This fault strikes ESE and dips at 57º towards SSW (Bilham and England, 2001). The
Meghalaya plateau, the innerly placed landmass between the two orogenies, the Himalaya and
Indo-Myanmar fold belts, has suffered intense compressional forces from orthogonal directions
from the north and the east respectively (Dasgupta et al, 1995). The mountain building tectonic
movement resulting due to subduction of the Indian plate towards north and east was operative
at a later stage but prior to this the plateau has already attained an elevated stage defining a
horst- type structure due to large scale vertical uplifting of the plateau through different
geological episodes.
The Meghalaya plateau is a horst which has been block-uplifted since Jurassic times to
its present height of about 610-1554m above mean sea level and its tectonic history begins with
the effusion of plateau basalt (Sylhet Trap) through the fracture and fault in the basement and
uplift and subsidence of adjacent basement blocks. These were followed by upper Cretaceous-
Tertiary sedimentation in to relatively down thrown portion along faults. The trends of these
fault is found to be N-W and E-W in the northwestern part of Garo Hills, E-W in the South
Khasi Hills and NE-SW in the eastern margin of Khasi Hills. The NE-SW Tyrsad-Barapani
shear zone indicates a zone of intense tectonic activity before the emplacement of the
Proterozoic-Early Cambrian porphyritic granitoids.
The Mylliem Pluton is situated in the southern part of the NE-SW trending Tyrsad-
Barapani shear zone. A most conspicuous feature of the Meghalaya plateau is that most granite
Pluton occurs towards the central and the Eastern part of the plateau in the zone bounded by
two prominent NE-SW lineaments.

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Physiography
Meghalaya is considered to be a remnant block of Precambrian Indian peninsular shield.
It represents an uplifted –block plateau to a height about 600 to 1900m above the mean sea
level. The highest spot over the plateau is the Shillong Peak (1951m). It stands as a watershed
between the Surma valley in the south and the Brahmaputra valley in the North. The
physiographic characteristic of the region is remarkable due to the dissected and the irregular
terrain in the Western and the Northern faces in contrast to the regular and the steep fall of the
Southern face, down to the Barak –Surma plains through a faulted face. The ancient
peneplained surface of the plateau is still preserved with marks of different cycles of
denudation, in the central and the Northern part and is hidden beneath the Mesozoic trap. The
Northern boundary of the plateau is most well defined due to broken ranges of low irregular
Hills stretching across lower and central Assam to the Northern border of the Brahmaputra
valley. However, in the south, the plateau is marked by deep gorges, spurs and steep slopes.
Stalactite and stalagmite caves forms the major features in the Lime stone terrane.

Climate
The region experiences tropical monsoon climate; the summer temperature is as high as
25ºC in the month of June and the mean winter temperature is as low as 4ºC in the month of
January. The rainfall in the state is variable, and receives an annual average rainfall of about
241.5 cm.The maximum annual rainfall of 1143 cm being recorded around Cherrapunji and
Mawsynram, the World’s wettest place.

Drainage
The drainage pattern presents a spectacular feature revealing extra ordinary straight
courses of rivers and streams, evidently along structural lineaments. The magnificent gorges
scooped out by the river in the southern Khasi and Jaintia Hills, are the result of massive head
ward erosion by the antecedent streams, along joints of the sedimentary rocks over the block,
experiencing relatively greater uplift. The drainage pattern in Meghalaya probably resulted
from erosive activity of rainwater. The central parts of Meghalaya observed as a rising
landmass, slopes down towards peripheral boundary. The east west alignment of central rising
is the source of almost all rivers, streams and springs of the region, which drain their water

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towards north and south. The river flowing towards the north meet the mighty Brahmaputra
River in Assam plain following gentle gradient of the longitudinal profiles and thereby do not
form any major waterfalls and the deep gorges. The river flowing towards the south are
characterised by steepest gradient and abruptly falls down to face the Bangladesh plain. Many
waterfalls and deep gorges like Mawsmai and Cherrapunji falls lie under this belt. The
limestone covered country over the southern Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills present a typical
Karst topography.

Generalized Litho-stratigraphic Succession of Meghalaya

AGE GROUP FORMATION LITHOLOGY

Miocene Garo Chengapara Sandstone, Siltstone, Clay & Marl

Oligocene Garo Baghmara Feldspathic Sandstone, Conglomerate & Clay

Kopili Rewak Shale, Sandstone & Marl

Eocene Jaintia Shella Alteration of Sandstone & Limestone

Palaeocene Jaintia Langpar Calc Shale, Sandstone & Impure Limestone

Upper Khasi Mahadek UPPER:- Arkosic Sandstone, & Shales.

cretaceous Characteristic Purple Colour
LOWER:- Grey Coarse to Fine Grain
Feldapathic Sandstone, Arkose
Jadukata Sandstone, Conglomerate Alteration

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Unconformity~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jurassic Sylhet trap - Basalt, Alkali Basalt & Acid Tuff, Alkaline &
Carbonatite Rock Complexes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Unconformity~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Late Myellium - Coarse Porphyritic Granite, Pegmatite, Apatite
Proterozoic & Quartz Vein. Epidiorite & Dolerite.

Middle Shillong - Phyllite, Quartzite Sequence with Basal

Proterozoic Conglomerate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Unconformity~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Granitic Gneisses, Magmatite, Mica-Schist,
Archean - -
Silliminite-Quartz Schist, Granulite.

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ARCHEAN BASEMENT:
The Archaean Basement is exposed in the central and southern part of the Meghalaya
Plateau. The rocks are composed predominantly of para and ortho- Gneisses, Migmatite and
Meta- Sedimentary band.
The mafic intrusives within the Basement include Ortho-Amphibolite and Meta-
Dolerite and Meta-Pyroxenite. They show relationship with the associated Gneisses. Veins and
lenses like intrusions are also common.

PROTEROZOIC SHILLONG GROUP:

The Shillong Group of Meta-Sedimentary and Meta-Volcanic rocks overlie the
basement complex and the interface is marked by a distinct unconformity. Similarly the lower
Argillaceous units (Manai Formation) and the upper Arenaceous units (Mawphlang Formation)
are separated by an interformational unconformity name as Sumer Conglomerate (Sarmah et. al
1998) near Sumer and Mawphlang. Primary structure like Cross Stratification, Ripple Marks,
Graded Bedding are well preserved in them. The junction between the basement complex and
the overlying Shillong Group of cover rock is marked by lithological, metamorphic and
structural dissimilarities.
The Meta Sedimentary units of the Shillong Group of rocks were first intruded by basic
Dolerite intrusive called Greenstone (Oldham) and later named as Khasi Greenstone
(Meddlicott, 1869) in the form of Sill and Dykes.
After Metamorphism and deformation, the Shillong Group of rocks were invaded by a
large no. of acidic Plutons viz. Myellium Granite, South Khasi Batholith, Kyrdem Pluton,
Nongpoh Pluton, Nongstoin Granite etc. the Myellium Granite, South Khasi Batholith and
Kyrdem Granite occur within the Shillong Group of rocks showing marked intrusive
relationship with the Shillong Group and the Khasi Greenstone, whereas the Nongpoh and the
Nongstoin Granites occur within the Basement Complex.

Granitoid Plutons : Myliem Gramite, South Khasi Batholih, Nonghpoh Granite.

Myliem Grained: A pink colour granite having porphyritic texture and phenocryst of
Plagioclase laths.

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South Khasi Batholih: Medium to coarse grained with megacrysts of Plagioclase.
Hypersthenes changing over to Amphibole.
Nongpoh Granite: The Nongpoh pluton, intrusive into the basement gneisses, has been dated
at 550 Ma. Medium grained with gneissosity defined by Biotite and Hornblende. K-Feldspar
are Kaolinized, Plagioclase are Sericitised. Biotites are Chloritised.

Short Petrographic descriptions of Granite and Gneisses

Sl.
Rock Name Mineralogical Description Modal Composition
No.
1 Granite K-Feldspars aremicrocline K-Feldspar (26-50%), quartz (27-
Gneisses microperthite; Perthites are string, 40%). Acc. Opaque. QAP=Granite
(Patharkhang) vein, patch type. Myemekitic field.
intergrowth developed.
2 Granite Gneiss, Medium to coarse grained; K- K-Feldspar (30-44%), plagioclase
(South of Feldsdpars are microcline, show (oligoclase-andesine) (22-42%),
Rongjeng) granophyrie intergrowth and are quartz (20-28%), biotite (3-6%).
sericitised. Plagioclases are Acc. Hornblende, sphene, garnet,
saussuritised, quartz show sign of opaque. QAP=Granite field.
strain.
3 Granite Gneiss Medium grained with gneissosity Quartz (26-50%), K-Feldspar (34-
(South of defined by biotite and hornblende. 46%), plagioclase (3-29%), biotite
Nongpoh) K-Feldspar are kaolinised, plag. (9-11%). Acc. Hornblende, sphene,
are sericitised, biotite are apatite and opaque. QAP=Granite
chloritised. field.
4 Granite Gneiss Medium grained, K-Feldspar are Quartz (25-50%), plagioclase (3-
from Sonapur microcline microperthite with 30%), K-feldsdpar (35-47%).
myrmekitic intergrowth QAP=Granidiorite field.
5 Noritic Medium to coarse grained with Plagioclase (10-75%, andesine),
enclaves from megacryst of plagioclase. orthoipyroxene (5-30%), K-feldspar
South Khasi Hypersthene changing over to (1-10%), quartz (2-17%),
pluton amphibole. Clinopyroxene (1-15%). Hornblende
(2-10%), biotite (5-20%). Acc.
Opaque and apatite.
6 Sindhuli Medium grained with Quartz (18-31%), K-feldspar (47-
Granite hypidiomorphic granular texture. 59%), plagioclase (20-30%), biotite
Post-emplacement deformation is (0.06-1.5%) and hornblende (0.22-
absent. 0.62%). QAP=Granite field.
7 Rongjeng Medium grained to porphyritic K-feldspar (46-76%), quartz (10-
Granite granite with megacryst of K- 19%), plagioclase (11-35%), biotite
feildspar. Quartz grains are stained (1-4%).acc. sphene, apatite,
and shows undulose extinction. muscovite and opaque.
QAP=Granite field.

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MYLLIUM GROUP:
This group represents the Late Proterozoic of Shillong Plateau Which rests
unconformably below the Sylhet Trap rocks of Jurassic. The main lithological constituent of
this group includes Granite plutons, Diorite, Epidiorite, Dolerite etc. All these are intrudes into
Basement gneisses and Shillong Group of rocks. The Granite shows porphyritic texture with
phenocrysts of Plagioclase.

SYLHET TRAP:
The Sylhet Trap crops out discontinuously as a 5-6 km wide strip for about 80 km along
the southern margin of the Shillong Plateau. The Traps attains a maximum thickness of about
600 m and overlie eroded Pre-Cambrian basement. The Traps are in turn overlain by the
Mahadek Formation of Late Cretaceous age. The best developed sections are at Mawsynram
Balat to the northwest of Balat and in the Dewsaw - Tyngmer area, south of Mawsynram. The
basaltic rocks include both quartz and olivine tholeiite with minor alkali basalts, rhyolites and
acid tuffs (Talukdar and Murthy, 1971). The effusion of the Sylhet Trap are controlled by the
Raibah fault to the north and the Dauki fault system to the south. (Murthy, 1981)

CRETACEOUS-TERTIARY SEDIMENTS:
These occupy the southern part of the Meghalaya Plateau. The sediments are effected
mostly by faults. The sediments are mainly Sandstone and Shale. The sediments are divided
into two groups namely, the Khasi Group and the Jaintia Group. The Khasi Group is a distinct
Arenaceous facies and consists of Jadukata Formation and Mahadek Formation while the
Jaintia Group is a Calcareous facies and consists of Langpar, Shella and the Kopili Formations.

JADUKATA FORMATION
The Jadukata Formation consists of alteration of Conglomerate and Sandstone. These
rocks overlie unconformably the Sylhet Trap. The deposition of Conglomerates (Pebbles and
Cobbles of vein Quartz and rare Gneiss) in the plateau over the Pre-Cambrian basement north
of the Raibah Fault is designated as the Bottom Conglomerate Formation. These formations are
overlain by a Arkosic, usually glauconitic, termed as Mahadek Formation.

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MAHADEK FORMATION
Mahadek formation is of Upper Cretaceous age and is divided into Upper and Lower
Formations. It is mostly composed of Sandstone Shale alteration. The upper Mahadek
Formation contains Purple colour Glauconitic Sandstone-Shale alteration. These sediments
deposits under marine environmental condition which represents oxidized zone. But the Lower
Mahadek Sandstone Formation formed by basically Fluviatile deposition which represents
Reducing Environment. The main lithological composition of Lower Mahadek Formation is
Grey coloured coarse to fine grained feldspathic Sandstone. The Lower Mahadek formation is
economically important because of Uranium Mineralization in these sediments.
The Mahadek Basin:
All along the southern fringe of the Shillong plateau a thick succession of essentially
marine cretaceous and Tertiary sediment was deposited. U- mineralization is associated with
the lower members of Mahadek formation representing deposition under fluvial environment.
Recognition of the fluvial nature of the mineralized host and understanding of the tectonic
setup were the key factors that helped in locating the deposits at Domiasiat and other areas of
the plateau. Domiasiat is the largest sandstone type Uranium deposit and also the first of its
kind hosted by the lower Mahadek sandstone (Up. Cretaceous) in the plateau domain in West
Khasi Hills dist. Meghalaya. Mineralization is located along braided palaeo-channels and
depression. The host sandstone is a quartz arenite with abundant organic matter and biogenic
pyrite. Uranium is present as pitchblende, coffinite and urano-organic complex. The basement
granites form the provenance and the source rock for uranium in the lower Mahadek Sandstone.
Mineralization follows the redox interface between the oxidized and the reduced facies of
lower Mahadek. The Mahadek basin is favourable from the view points of uranium rich source
rock in the provenance, lithology, reductants, cover rock, depositional environment, gentle
formational dip in the direction of regional slope both palaeo and present, as well as
intermittent rejuvenation of the ground water because of reactivation due to block faulting.

LANGPAR FORMATION
The Langpar Formation of the Jaintia Group overlies the Mahadek Formation. The
lithology is mainly Calcareous Shale, Sandy Limestone and fine Calcareous Sandstone. The
deposition of these sediments marks the beginning of a stable shelf condition that was firmly
established later with the deposition of Shella Formation represented by the alternating

10
Limestone and Sandstone sequence. The Shella Formation consists of three Sandstone and
Limestone member beginning with Sandstone over the Langpar Formation. These have been
designated successfully by the Lower (Theria Sandstone/Lakadong Limestone), Middle
(Lakadong, Sandstone/Umlatdoh Limestone) and Upper (Narpur Sandstone/Prang
Limestone/Siju Limestone and Sylhet Sandstone/Limestone) members. Kopili Formation
overlies Shella Formation. The rocks are alteration of thin Sandstone and Shale with rare
fossiliferous bands Limestone.

GARO GROUP
The oldest formation of the upper Tertiary Sediments, named the Garo Group consists
of Simsang Formation, Baghmara Formation overlies the Simsang Formation and consists of
irregular beds of coarse feldspathic sand with minor Mudstone streak, Pebble Conglomerate,
massive Clay and Silty Clay beds and thin alternating beds of Mudstone and fine Sand. The
Chengapara Formation consists of poorly-cemented, fine-grained, micaceous sand, blue to
brown Siltstone and Clays with a few thin marly beds at its base.
CHENGAPARA FORMATION
A prominent unconformity is observed at the top of the Chengapara Formation. East of
Dareng River (25°19’:90°30’), both the Chengapara and the overlying Dupi Tilla Group go
beneath the alluvium. When it reappears in the Khasi Hills near Balat (25°13’:91°22’) an
erosional unconformity can be seen. The Dupi Tilla Group consists of alternation of coarse
feldspathic Sandstone with lenses and beds of Pebbles of Quartz vein and mottled Clay.
The sediments of Dupi Tilla Group represent mainly deltaic fluviatile types.

QUATERNARY AND RECENT DEPOSITS:

Isolated patches of older Alluvium overlie the Tertiary rocks along the southern and
western borders of Garo Hills in isolated areas along the southern fringes of Khasi Hills. These
deposits conbsists of beds of assorted Pebbles with coarse, loose Sand and brown ish Clay.
Along the southern boeders of Khasi Hills, the older Alluvium mainly consists of assorted
boulder deposits.
Recent Alluvium is found in the river valley on the northern foot hill region of Garo and Khasi
Hills. The Alluvium consists of fine Silty Sand and light to dark grayish Clay with rare pockets
and layers of coarse sand and shingles.

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 Visit to Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD), Shillong

In Nongminshnong (Shillong), the Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD) Head office of

Northeast Zone is situated. During the course of field study we made a one day visit to the
AMD office. The AMD, Shillong has been engaged with the exploration of Atomic minerals
within North east India. The laboratories are equipped with sophisticated instruments. During
our visit the various instrumentations techniques like Giger Muler Counter, Scintillometer,
ICP-AES and AAS are demonstrated to us.
The field investigations of the presence of Radioactive minerals are made with the help
of Giger Muler Counter and Scintillometer. But now a days Scintillometer is more commonly
used as compared to G-M Counter because of its highly sensitive. For better accuracy to know
the amount of radioactive element present in a sample, chemical analysis is carried out. For this
instruments like ICP-AES and AAS are used to analysis the samples. By using these
Geochemical instruments any samples at first atomized, which gives the samples from ground
state to excitation state. When it comes again to the ground state in each state it release some
amount of energy. These emitted energy are recorded by a detector. These recorded signals are
calibrated and are converted to concentrations of elements of interest.

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Field work carried out along and across Shillong Pynursla Road

Lacation-01: WOJON Village (10 km away from Shillong)

The outcrop is mainly composed of Quartzite, belonging to Barapani Formation of Proterozoic
age. Two prominent sets of joint are recorded in the Quartzite outcrop. Micro cross laminations
are also observed (Photo SP-1)
The Attitude of the Quartzite bed:
Dip: 47°
Strike: N68° E - S68° W

Location-02: MYELLIUM Village

The outcrop is mainly Granite (Myellium Granite). Granite is intruded into Shillong group of
rock. These are pinkish colour and showing porphyritic texture with abundant phenocryst of
feldspars. Feldspars are lath shaped and show preferred orientation (Photo- SP-2). The Granites
are exhibiting exfoliation weathering.

Location-03: LAITLYNGTOK
Granite, belonging to Myellium Granite crops out along the road side. The Granite exhibits
porphiritic texture with phenocryst of feldspar. Exfoliation weathering is common. Preferred
orientation of feldapar laths are also visible (Photo- SP-2).

Location-04: Just beyond LAITLYNGTOK

A quartzite bed, belonging to the Barapani Formation crops out along the roadside. The bed
shows normal gentle folding (Photo-SP-3), such folding patterns are typically of
Barapani Quartzite.

Location-05: 5 km beyond LAITLYNGTOK towards Pynursla.

Mafic igneous dyke intrudes into Barapani Quartzite. It is massive and fine grained. There also
occue a shear zone in the vicinity. (Photo- SP-4)

Location-06: 6 km beyond LAITLYNGTOK (Near a Culvert) towards Pynursla.

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Another maffic dyke is observed intruded into Barapani Quartzite.

Location-07: 2 km before LYNKERDAM

Quartzite crops out along roadside which are folded, faulted and jointed. A relict quartz vein is
observed within folded quartzite bed. Quartz vein shows recumbent folding which may
represent F-1 folding of Barapani Quartzite (Ph. SP-5).

Location-08: LYNKERDAM
Thin bends of Phyllite are observed successively associated with massive Quartzite (Ph. SP-6).
This type of lithology develops due to competence contrast of the lithology, viz. Sandstone and
Shale during metamorphism. Cross bedding and Herring Bone Cross Stratum are observe
within Quartzite. The Cross Bedding indicates shallow marine depositional environment and
presence of Herring Bone structure indicates Tidal Environment of deposition.

Location-09: ½ km before PYNURSLA

Carbonaceous Shale alternatively associated with Ferruginous Sandstone crop out near roadside
(Ph. SP-7). Pillow like structure is found to occur within the beds. The pillows develops due to
differential de-watering of the sediments during compaction and lithification. A small fault
occurs within the beds.

Location-10: PONGTONG
Conglomerate crops out the roadside. The size of clasts are of pebble to boulder . clasts are
originated from Barapani Quartzite. This outcrops represents high energy environmental
condition of deposition like glacial, basin deposition, river deposition etc. A gap of deposition
represents by Conglomerate. This Conglomerate belt marks the Proterozoic-Cretaceous
boundary. The exposures are younger than Proterozoic (Ph. SP-8).

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Photo- SP-1: Barapani Quartzite Beds.

Photo- SP-2: Myellium Granite Intrudes into Barapani Quartzite.

15
Photo- SP-3: Normal Gentle Folding Strata.

Photo- SP-4: Mafic Igneous Body Intrudes into Quartzite.

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Photo- SP-5: Folded Quartz Vein within Barapani Quartzite.

Photo- SP-6: Thin bands of Phyllite occurs as intercalation with quartzites.

17
Photo- SP-7: Carbonaceous Shale alternatively associated with Ferruginous Sandstone

Photo- SP-8: Conglomerate with variable clast sizes outcrops at Pynursla plateau. The
clast sizes range from few inches to more than a feet.

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Field work carried out along and across Shillong-Nongjri Road
Location-1: TYRSAD Village
Phyllites and Conglomerates crop out along roadside. Phyllites are underlying by
Conglomerates by an angular unconformity. The clast of the Conglomerates are of Barapani
Quartzite (Photo- SN-1).

Location-2: WEILOI Village (Mawsynram Plateau)

Granites are intruded into Tertiary rocks. These are overlain by Conglomerates, the clast of
mainly are quartzite.

Location-3: UMPUNG Village

The river bed contains Basalt of Sylhet Trap. This river may represents a sub parallel fault of
Dauki Fault System.

Location-4: Near JADUKATA RIVER Bridge.

The Jadukata Fault is running along the River (Photo-SN-2), which may be a part of Dauki
Fault System. The river bed comprises of Basalt of Sylhet Trap.

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Fig-SN-1: Angular Unconformity betn Conglomerates lie unconformably above the
Phyllites by an angular unconformity.

Photo- SN-2: Jadukata River.

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Field work carried out in and around NONGJRI Village

The geographic location of Nongjri village is N25°16.672 E91°07.881 and above 574 m
from MSL. The Jadukata river crossing that village. This river removes parts of some Tertiary
sediments due to which Mesa and Bute like geomorphic features develops (Photo- N-1). These
Mesa and upper parts of steep associated gorges represents Tertiary sediments. The Tertiary
sediments contains rich deposits of Coal. These sedimentary formation is overlying by Upper
and Lower Mahadek Sandstone Formation. The river bed itself represents the Archean
Basement of Shillong Plateau.

The upper Mahadek Formation contains Purple colour Glauconitic Sandstone-Shale

alteration (Photo- N-2). These sediments deposits under marine environmental condition which
represents oxidized zone. But the Lower Mahadek Sandstone Formation formed by basically
Fluviatile deposition which represents Reducing Environment. The main lithological
composition of Lower Mahadek Formation is Grey colour coarse to fine grained Feldspathic
Sandstone. The Lower Mahadek formation is economically important as because Uranium
Mineralization takes place in these sediments.

The Base of the Jadukata river represents the Precambrian Basement of Shillong Group
which is underlying by Lower Mahadek Sandstone Formation with an unconformity (Photo- N-
3). The Basement rock is composed of Granitic Gneisses, Mica Schist, Sillimanite Quartz
Schist etc (Photo- N-4). This Basement rocks are found very complex in structure. Because the
Proterozoic formations are completely missing. Rocks are highly folded and Amphibolite Dyke
intrudes into Basement rocks (Photo-N-5). Dykes appear as lenses, patches, veins etc. The
orientation of Dyke is N70°E which is of 2 feet in width.

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Photo- N-1: Mesa

Photo- N-2: Purple coloured Gloconitic Sandstone belonging to the Upper Mahadek
Formation

22
Photo- N-3: Eparchaean Unconformity at the Contact zone of Lower Mahadek
Sandstone Formation and Precambrian Basement Gneisses.

Photo- N-4: The Basement Granitic Gneises occurring at the Jadukata river bed.

23
Photo- N-5: Amphibolite Dyke intrudes into Basement Gneisses.

24
Field work carried out along and across Nongjri-Shella Road Section

Location-1: RANIKOR Village

The village lies on the bank of Jadukata River. Along the Jadukata River the Jadukata fault
runs. The river bed contains Sylhet Traps. This Sylhet Trap is overlain by Sandstone beds with
a Conglomerate layer. This Conglomerate bed represents Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary.

Location-2: GOMAGHAT Village

The main lithological constituent of this village is the basalt of Sylhet Trap.

Location-3: RAJAPARA Village

A thick Conglomerate belt crops out in this village. The clasts are mainly of Basalt. This
intraformational Conglomerate belt represents Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, which is extend
up to Umpung village.

Location-4: UMPUNG Village, East Khasi District.

The River base is of Basalt boulders of Sylhet Trap. The country rock is mainly of basaltic.

Location-5: BALAT
Quaternary Sandstones are crops out in the road section. Some Basalts clasts are also observed

Location-6: BALAT to SHELLA Road Section

Thick Quaternary Sandstones bed is crops out in the road side. Along Shella river bed some
Basalt boulders , Granitic Gneisses, Granite boulders are found to occur. Rich deposits of Khasi
Limestones are present in and around Shella region. This area is economically potential source
to Cement Factory; for that reason a large no. of cement factory have been developed. Shale
and Limestone mining work has been done in this area. The main lithological constituents of
this area are Fossiliferous Limestone, Shale, Sandstone etc. Some Sand crack filling (Dyke) is
also observed between Limestone beds (Photo- NS-1). This is an important features of Event
Stratigraphy. This type of structure develops due to geological event like earthquake, tectonic
activity etc.

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Photo-NS-1: Sand Dyke.

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Field work carried out along and across SHELLA-SHILLONG Road
Location-1: 10 km beyond Shella (Near Limestone Query)
Sandstone and Limestone crops out near roadside. The Shella Sandstone is overlying by Shella
Limestone (Photo- SS-1). The Limestone formation is highly Fossiliferous which are mainly
used to produce cement. Basalt intrudes into this Sandstone-Limestone formation.

Location-2: MAWLONG
The Basalt intrusion of the roadside is the extension of Sylhet Trap. Basalt contains lots of
zeolites are found to associated (Photo- SS-2).

Location-3: UMWIA
Thick beds of 1 set jointed Basalt intrudes in the country rocks.

Location-4: WAHLONG Village, Near Kynrem Falls (Photo- SS-3)

The base of the fall comprises a thick Basalt body which is overlying by sedimentary beds
separated by a nonconformity. Kynrem falls may be a up throw part of Dawki Fault System.
The corresponding down throw part is exposed in Jadukata and Shella River beds.

Location-5: LAITTYRA Village

Mahadek Sandstone formation crops out in roadside. This area may be represents K-T
Boundary. The Gloconitic Mahadek Sandstone is overlying by Tertiary Sandstone Formation
with an Unconformity.

Location-6: SOHRA (30 km to Shillong)

Here main lithological constituent is proterozoic Granite. Some Conglomerate exposures are
also observed.

Location-7: UMDIENGPOH
A Dolerite Dyke intrudes into Barapani Quartzite (Photo- SS-4).

Location-8: 23 km to Shillong
An Intermediate Acidic Dyke (Charnockite?) intrudes into Barapani Quartzite (Photo- SS-5).

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Photo- SS-1: Limestone Exposure.

Photo- SS-2: Basalt with zeolites.

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Photo- SS-3: thick sequence of Sylhet Trap crops out at Kynrem Falls.

Photo- SS-4: Basalt intrudes into Barapani Quartzite.

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Photo- SS-5: Charnockite intruded into Barapani Quartzite

30
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