USE OF GROUND PENETRATING RADAR IN STUDY OF NEOTECTONISM AND SEDIMENTATION PATTERN IN PARTS OF THE MAHANADI DELTA AROUND CUTTACK AND KENDRAPADA, ODISHA

Abstract

Mahanadi delta is one of the major deltas found on the east coast of India. It is formed by joint action of three rivers i.e. Mahanadi river, Baitarani river, and Brahmani river. The Mahanadi basin was come in to existence in the Jurassic as a result of Jurassic and breakup of the Gondwanaland (Subrahmanyam, Subrahmanyam, Murty, Murthy, 2008). Now days many profound evidences of the neotectonic activities are visible on the Mahanadi delta. The main aim of this study is to find out the effect of neotectnism and the related sedimentation pattern on the Mahanadi delta bounded by the Birupa river around Cuttack and Kendrapada. By studying the topographic changes and the drainage patterns major lineaments were inf erred which shows major characteristics of presence of faults. Along with that Digital Flevation Model and Digital Terrain Model were also used in studying the inferred faults. The lithologs were also used to study the sedimentation pattern around those areas. GPR was also used for the studying the subsurface geology which proved the presence of one fault. The GPR readings are taken along the inferred faults to see whether they are present or not. It was also useful in studying the sedimentary structures such as sand dunes and cross bcdd i ngs. Litliologs were collected from the CGWB from various parts of the upper Mahanadi delta. It was helpful in identification of the lithotypes present but the sedimentary structures were destroyed during the drilling. It was not very helpful in correlation due to highly variation in depositional environment. The above study was very helpful in studying east coast tectonism and sedimentation pattern around the Birupa river. For more profound data a more detailed study is necessary.