020556   Alemngus A;Mathur B S (Agricultural Engineering Dep, Hamelmalo Agricultural College, Keren, Eritrea (East Africa). (Former graduate student), IIT-Roorkee, Roorkee, Email: angish14@yahoo.com) : Geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrographs for rivers in eritrea (East Africa). J Indian Wat Resour Soc 2014, 34(1), 1-14.

Prediction offload hydrograph is essential for the assessment of water availability, design of various hydraulic structures and watershed development and management. Different methods have been in practice in surface water hydrology for quite some time back. Derivation of unit hydrograph using rainfall and runoff data as well as synthetic unit hydrograph (SUH) approaches and conceptual models for gauged and ungauged catchments are some of the efforts in this direction. Nonetheless, most of these have limitations for one or the other reasons. Thus, more recently, use of geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) coupled with other conceptual models has been proved to be the most successful approach for flood prediction from ungauged catchments. In this respect, the Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing image processing tools have been found to be helpful for the determination of geomorphologic characteristics on which entire GIUH development relies upon. Therefore, in this study, the applicability of GIUH based Nash model is tested on the upper Mereb-Gash sub-basin in Eritrea. Due to the uncertainties of the recorded rainfall data, direct surface runoffs are not computed with any of the approaches referred above. Rather, the GIUH based Nash model unit hydrograph (UH) is developed. However, comparisons of GIUH and SUH of the downstream catchment show that the computed peak discharges are higher in the case of the former.

6 illus, 8 tables, 28 ref

019630   Zhang F;Li Y;Liu S;Zhao S;Wu Y (Satellite Environment Center, Ministry of Environmental Protection, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Beijing 100 094, China, Email: zshyytt@126.com) : Dynamic monitoring of landscape patterns and ecological processes using HJ-1 and SPOT satellite data over hulunbeier grassland, China. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 319-28.

Landscape patterns and ecological processes have been in long-term research focus in the field of landscape ecology, but how to measure their quantitative relations is still open. This work chooses the Hulunbeier grassland as the study area where ecosystem shows high vulnerability, frequent evolvement of landscape patterns and ecological processes. With remote sensing technology, the relationships between landscape patterns and ecological processes were analyzed quantitatively from multi-scale, multitemporal and time series perspective. Firstly, the information about the current situation and change of landscape patterns and ecological processes are obtained from HJ-1 (Environmental and Disaster Small Satellite) and LANDSAT TM (Thermal Mapper) data. Secondly, SPOT NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data during 2000-2008 are used to analyze the dynamic changes of ecological processes, and to simulate its inter-annual variety at pixel scale. Finally, the dynamic change trends of ecological processes of grassland vegetation are described. The results indicate that the unchanged ecosystem types account for most of the study area, unused land in the central part expands continuously which results in the increase of desertification, and most ecosystem types in the eastern part are changed to grassland and woodland. Furthermore, the vegetation vulnerability is the highest in the grassland-dominated region, the second in grassland-farmland-woodland transition, and the smallest in the woodland-dominated region, where the stability is enhanced in turn. Due to the dynamic change of vegetation, it can be concluded that the study area underwent ecological processes of vegetation cover with a negative trend and a changed phenology.

6 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

019629   Zarenistanak M;Dhorde A G;Kripalani R H (Geography Dep, Pune Univ, Pune-411 007, Email: amitdhorde@unipune.ac.in) : Trend analysis and change point detection of annual and seasonal precipitation and temperature series over southwest Iran. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 281-205.

This paper presents results of trend analysis and change point detection of annual and seasonal precipitation, and mean temperature (TM), maximum temperature (TMAX) and minimum temperature (TMIN) time series of the period 1950-2007. Investigations were carried out for 50 precipitation stations and 39 temperature stations located in southwest Iran. Three statistical tests including Pettitt's test, Sequential Mann-Kendall test (SQ-MK test) and Mann-Kendall rank test (MK-test) were used for the analysis. The results obtained for precipitation series indicated that most stations showed insignificant trends in annual and seasonal series. Out of the stations which showed significant trends, highest numbers were observed during winter season while no significant trends were detected in summer precipitation. Moreover, no decreasing significant trends were detected by statistical tests in annual and seasonal precipitation series. The analysis of temperature trends revealed a significant increase during summer and spring seasons. TMAX was more stable than TMIN and TM, and winter was stable compared to summer, spring and autumn seasons. The results of change point detection indicated that most of the positive significant mutation points in TM, TMAX and TMIN began in the 1990s.

11 illus, 2 tables, 41 ref

019628   Xin-Ping W;Yan-Xia P;Hu R;YaFeng Z;Zhang H (Shapotoa Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, China, Email: xpwang@lzb.ac.cn) : Condensation of water vapour on moss-dominated biological soil crust, NW China. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 297-305.

Characteristics of water vapour condensation, including the onset, duration, and amount of water vapour condensation on moss-dominated biological soil crust (BSC) and dune sand were studied under simulated conditions with varying air temperature and relative humidity. The simulations were performed in a plant growth chamber using an electronic balance recording the weight of condensation. There was a positive linear correlation between the water vapour condensation and relative humidity while the mean temperature was negatively linearly related to amounts of water vapour condensation for both soil surfaces. The amount of water vapour condensation on BSC and dune sand can be described by the difference between air temperature and dew point with an exponential function, indicating that when the difference of air temperature and dew point exceeds a value of 35.3°C, there will be zero water vapour condensed on BSC. In contrast, when the difference of air temperature and dew point exceeds a value of 20.4°C, the water vapour condensation will be zero for dune sand. In general, when the air is fully saturated with water and the dew point is equal to the current air temperature, the water vapour condensed on BSC attained its maximum value of 0.398 mm, whereas it was 0.058 mm for dune sand. In comparison, water vapour condensed on BSC was at a relatively high temperature and low relative humidity, while we did not detect water vapour condensation on the dune sand under the similar conditions. Physical and chemical analyses of the samples pointed to a greater porosity, high content of fine particles, and high salinity for BSC compared to the dune sand. These results highlight that soil physicochemical properties are the likely factors influencing the mechanism of water vapour condensation under specific meteorological conditions, as onset was earlier and the duration was longer for water vapour condensation on BSC in comparison with that of dune sand. This contributed to the greater amount of vapour absorbed on BSC compared to the dune sand under an identical meteorological condition. The feedback of water vapour condensation on BSC formation and its contribution to sustain the revegetation desert ecosystems was discussed.

4 illus, 3 tables, 33 ref

019627   Traore S;Wang Y M;Chung W G (NO, Ministry of Research and Scientific Innovation, INERA-Farako-ba, BaboDioulasso, Burkina Faso, Africa, Email: wangym@mail.npust.edu.tw) : Predictive accuracy of backpropagation neural network methodology in evapotranspiration forecasting in dedougou region, western Burkina faso. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 307-18.

Study evaluates the predictive accuracy of the feed forward backpropagation artificial neural network (BP) in evapotranspiration forecasting from temperature data basis in Dedougou region located in western Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa. BP accuracy is compared to the conventional Blaney-Criddle (BCR) and Reference Model developed for Burkina Faso (RMBF) by referring to the FAO56 Penman-Monteith (PM) as the standard method. Statistically, the models accuracies were evaluated with the goodness-of-fit measures of root mean square error, mean absolute error and coefficient of determination between their estimated and PM observed values. From the statistical results, BP shows similar contour trends to PM, and performs better than the conventional methods in reference evapotranspiration (ET ref) forecasting in the region. In poor data situation, BP based only on temperature data is much more preferred than the other alternative methods for ET ref forecasting. Furthermore, it is noted that the BP network computing technique accuracy improves significantly with the addition of wind velocity into the network input set. Therefore, in the region, wind velocity is recommended to be incorporated into the BP model for high accuracy management purpose of irrigation water, which relies on accurate values of ET ref.

7 illus, 2 tables, 40 ref

019626   Toshilila;Sarkar N K;Moirangcha L H;Balaji R (Geologist, Geological Survey of India, NER, Shillong) : Perspective slope stability assessment along Aizawl - variengte sector of NH 54, Mizoram, India. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 63-72.

Perspective slope stability assessment along selected stretches of National Highway corridor between Aizawl - Variengte, Mizoram, revealed that the slope mass at a number of locations may experience different degrees of slope instability of varying dimensions within the excavated slope in the event of any high anomalous monsoon discharge. Though major part of the road stretch during the pre-monsoon drier period was found to be self-supporting, yet, probability of slope failures at saturated condition at places may be anticipated due to general disposition of the litho-variants, intense weathering, occasional presence of sheared zones and presence of variably compacted older debris. Further, the variable nature and thickness of overburden, presence of seepage and flowing condition at places, identification of crown cracks of varying dimension and creep movement at places further emphasizes the presence of indicative revealing condition for future initiation of slope failures. The bedrock in the studied sector is found subjected to intense weathering and as a result at many stretches competent bedrock is not encountered at shallower level. Due to intense weathering and past slope failures the bedrock is found to be overlain by thin to thick (1-5 m) overburden material like that of older well compacted debris, insitu clay to silty soil (occasional sandy pockets at places), younger loose debris, scree and slope wash materials. Further due to earlier mass wasting the slope mass along the studied stretches exhibits large spatial and temporal variations in respect of slope morphometry. The dominant siltstone-sandstone sequence underwent folding and fracturing, which facilitated the weathering and reduction of rock mass strength (RQD estimated to be varying from 15 to 40). The rock mass at places is also found to be traversed by high angle shears which reduce the rock mass strength considerably (RQD values 10-30). The disposition of the bedding with respect to the natural and modified slope at many places indicated a condition favourable for planar failure in the bedrock and shallow translational failure in the thin overburden above the bed rock. Further because of the development of joints and fractures related to the folding and deformation at places, intersecting joints and bedding in the slope day-lighted and favoured a condition of wedge failure. The heavy monsoon discharge acted on the variable slope forming material flows along the slopes by way of surface drainage network, which changes at places due to sudden variation in the lithology and slope. Along with surface drainage network, the major part of the percolated water also moves along a variable sub-surface network which interacts with the slope and slope forming material in a complex and varied way. Further due to the higher porosity and reduced permeability of the weathered soil (dominantly fine grained silt to clay), local development of pore water pressure was observed at places. During the period of study (pre-monsoon dry period) a significant part of the slope proximal to the road bench exhibited flowing, wet and damp condition, especially in the overburden slope. These clearly indicate that sub-surface drainage network could be active for a longer period and can act on the slope forming material. One of the significant observations made during the study is the identification of loci of hydrostatic pressure behind the cut slope even during dry season and consequent bulging and fracturing of the slope. Further active removal of clay material by the surface run-off and deposition of the same at places indicated piping condition. These clearly reflect pre-condition of failures in the event of further anomalous rainfall and anthropogenic intervention. The perspective studies may help in overall assessment of the cut slope stability and identification of area of further studies for this important National Highway corridor.

16 illus, 2 ref

019625   Thanavelu C (, , Email: actvelu@gmail.com) : Facet based landslide hazard zonation of kodaikanal hills, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 120-9.

Rapid development is taking place in Kodaikanal Township - the second important hill station in Tamil Nadu and the surrounding areas. Landslide occurrence is a frequent and recurring phenomenon in the hill ranges housing Kodaikanal. Landslide Hazard Zonation which is the primary step towards landslide hazard management and mitigation is pursued to evaluate hazard status. Landslide Hazard zonation of the area has been carried out adopting BIS Guidelines modified by GSI taking slope facet as the fundamental unit. Nine parameters have been evaluated to work out Total Estimated Hazard (TEHD) for the individual facets. During evaluation of the individual factors, the system proposed in the guideline is modified suitable to the study area considering the type of slides, causal planes, causative factors, etc. As, rain fall is the triggering factor, average annual rain fall is not considered.

1 illus, 3 tables

019624   Sugathan N;Biju V;Renuka G (Physics Dep, Kerala Univ, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram-695 581, Email: drgrenuka@gmail.com) : Influence of soil moisture content on surface albedo and soil thermal parameters at a tropical station. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1115-28.

Half hourly data of soil moisture content, soil temperature, solar irradiance, and reflectance are measured during April 2010 to March 2011 at a tropical station, viz., Astronomical Observatory, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India (76°59'E longitude and 8°29'N latitude). The monthly, seasonal and seasonal mean diurnal variation of soil moisture content is analyzed in detail and is correlated with the rainfall measured at the same site during the period of study. The large variability in the soil moisture content is attributed to the rainfall during all the seasons and also to the evaporation/movement of water to deeper layers. The relationship of surface albedo on soil moisture content on different time scales are studied and the influence of solar elevation angle and cloud cover are also investigated. Surface albedo is found to fall exponentially with increase in soil moisture content. Soil thermal diffusivity and soil thermal conductivity are also estimated from the subsoil temperature profile. Log normal dependence of thermal diffusivity and power law dependence of thermal conductivity on soil moisture content are confirmed.

12 illus, 1 table, 32 ref

019623   Singh G D;Singh P K;Gupta K S (NO, , GSI, SU; Gujarat, Gandhinagar) : Preliminary investigation of sasan gir earthquake - 2011, Junagadh district, Gujarat. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 7-17.

Seismic activity in the Sasan Gir area is reported to be continuing for last 10 years and in the entire Saurashtra region for more than 200 years. The present seismic activity commenced with the occurrence of an earthquake of magnitude 5.3 on 20th October, 2011. Since then activity is continuing in the area with subsequent lower magnitude earthquakes. About 200 aftershocks have recorded and the magnitude of earthquakes is fluctuating between 1 & 2. Among 200 aftershocks 2-3 aftershocks are ranging from 3-4. Location of the epicenter of earthquake as per ISR differs from USGS. ISR has reported epicenter of the earthquake at 21.114° N; 70.54° E whereas the USGS has fixed at 21.18°N; 70.48°E. The depth of focus is also differently mentioned by ISR and USGS at 8.5 km and 15.5 km, respectively. Geologically the major part of the area is covered by the Deccan Volcanics. The volcanic rocks are overlain at places by miliolitic limestone. The rocks are covered by thin veneer of soil. Different sets of lineaments / dykes trending N-S, NNW-SSE, NW-SE, NE-SW and E-W is present in the area. The affected area is bounded by two major faults aligned in NW-SE direction and NNE-SSW direction in western and eastern margin of Saurashtra Region, respectively. Near epicenter mainly miliolitic limestone and alluviums are highly affected during the earthquake. Mostly single storey small houses are located in and around the Sasan Gir area without proper designing. Most affected villages in the area are Ladudi, Haripur, Sandhbeda Nes, Jepur, Dhravawad, Devgam, Jalandhar, Khatrasa, Chitravad and Hiranvel. At all these places some of the poorly constructed houses developed fractures in the walls, roofs and some of the supporting pillars were also dislocated. Nowhere ground surface rupture has been observed. On the basis of macro seismic survey, isoseismal map is prepared and meizoseismal area is demarcated. The meizoseismal area is of ellipsoidal in shape stretching about 17 km along a- axis and 1,3 km about b-axis. The a-axis is aligned in NE-SW direction. On the basis of field observation an isoseismal of Intensity VII is prepared and the epicenter is lying near Chitravad village.

4 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

019622   Sharma V P;Pareek S (Engineering Geology Div, Geological Survey of India, WR, 15-16 Jhalana Doongri, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Email: vps2448@gmail.com) : Rare foundation media for masonry spillway at lhasi dam, Baran district, Rajasthan - a case study. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 18-23.

The geotechnical investigation of Lhasi medium irrigation project has brought to light peculiar foundation strata in the area mainly occupied by Vindhyan sediments and Deccan Trap. The peculiarity of strata led to number of modifications in the design of the spillway. The atypical geotechnical characteristics of the strata exposed at the foundation level was an enigma for the geologist as well as design engineers. The project area is mostly covered with alluvium having exposures of basaltic flows of Deccan traps on the right side of the dam underlain by sedimentary rocks of Vindhyan Super group and an intervening thick section of decomposed white sandstone. This intervening unit was identified prima facie as forming part of the Vindhyan sequence. After detailed studies, it was found to be an altogether different unit of argillaceous immature sandstone/lithic-wacke of volcanoclastic origin with stray pebble size clasts, which may represent a paleosol / infratrappeans. This unit having a thickness of more than 25 m and underlain by typical Vindhyan shale/sandstone sequence, is in fact a unit probably deposited prior to the onset of Deccan volcanism. The peculiar characteristic of this unit is its two components with altogether different geotechnical properties. The upper 15 m thick portion of the unit is soft and semi-consolidated followed by quite hard, compact and massive lower portion with sub-angular clasts of chert, jasper and other rocks fragments, a feature common to both portions of the unit. The upper portion of the unit has very poor cohesiveness, when water charged. As such the rock though has low permeability, is highly vulnerable to scouring due to high water absorption and non-cohesive matrix. The geotechnical attributes of this peculiar unit are such that any contact of this upper unit with the structure is undesirable. Slightest scouring along the contact with the structure may prove to be fatal in due course. 1 view of the unsuitability of this foundation media further deep drilling was opted and a good foundation media (the lower portion of the same unit) was intersected at 15 m depth from earlier proposed foundation level throughout the extent of the structure. The rock is quite massive with very good RQD % and high compressive strength. Subsequently, the structure was redesigned to conventional ogee type spillway leaving aside all other options with low confidence level.

3 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

019621   Sharma L N (Applied Sciences Dep, PEC- Univ of Technology, Sector-12, Chandigarh, Email: lnsharma.pec@gmail.com) : Use of geoinformatics in lineament studies for best site for hydro electric project - a case study from sach khas, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 217-22.

Among other parameters geology and lineament pattern of an area plays most important role in deciding as to which is the best site for hydroelectric project. Satellite data clubbed with topographic sheets do provide detailed requisite information about these parameters. The paper deals with deriving geological and information about structural linear features to find out the possible impact of lineaments on the upcoming hydroelectric power project in the vicinity of the upper Himalayas a study was undertaken. The area falling in toposheet number 52 D/5 at 1:50,000 scale is between upstream Purthi and the downstream Duggar with the diversion located between across the river Chenab. The project envisages the construction of a 90 m high concrete gravity dam, about 1100 m upstream of the Cheni nala confluence with Chenab falling in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. To demarcate lineaments satellite data of LADSAT 7 ETM+, September 2000 were used. The study areas falls in the vicinity of the Great Himalayan Range and is characterized by rugged mountainous topography. The general trend of the rocks is NNE-SSW & NE SW. Deep steep rising hills with intervening dissected valleys are common. The rocks include Quartzites, phyllites, slates, schists and limestones of Batal and Mazri formations. The Chenab River flowing from south to north direction with dendritic to trellis type of drainage pattern. From the study it is concluded that geology and structural features pose no threat to the upcoming dam site.

3 illus, 11 ref

019620   Sarkar N K (NO, , Geological Survey of India, North Eastern Region, Shillong-793 003, Email: niroj4@gmail.com) : Extreme hydrological situation and debris flow initiation - consequences and concern. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 202-8.

The relation of extreme hydrological situation and debris flow initiation across the mountain slope of Himalaya, Trans-Himalaya and Western-Ghats were highlighted with recent examples. The significant negative consequences of this long travel short period fluidised mass movement on the people, infrastructure, land-use, forest, etc were highlighted to emphasized the need for debris flow susceptibility mapping. The various predisposing and triggering factors for debris flow initiation in the mountain slope are outlined along with a few revealing factors. Some of the prevalent methodologies used for debris flow susceptibility mapping and run out modelling being used globally are discussed highlighting the complexities and uncertainties associated the same. The need for multi-disciplinary/multi-institutional approach incorporating advance climatic input in regards to identification and delineation of the possible loci of extreme hydrological situations, identification and delineation of the slope morphometry and stream configurations, detailed event based inventory of the debris flow/mudflow and identification of the loci of the paleo debris flow/mud flow situations has been emphasised for preparation of debris flow susceptibility maps, hazard, risk assessment and mitigation of this significant natural hazard.

6 ref

019619   Saikia A;Gogoi B;Ahmad M;Ahmad T (Chatra Marg, Geology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: ashima.saikia@gmail.com) : Geochemical constraints on the evolution of mafic and felsic rocks in the bathani volcanic and volcano-sedimentary sequence of chotanagpur granite gneiss complex. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 959-87.

The Bathani volcanic and volcano-sedimentary (BVS) sequence is a volcanic and volcano-sedimentary sequence, best exposed near Bathani village in Gaya district of Bihar. It is located in the northern fringe of the Chotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex (CGGC). The volcano-sedimentary unit comprises of garnet-mica schist, rhyolite, tuff, banded iron formation (BIF) and chert bands with carbonate rocks as enclaves within the rhyolite and the differentiated volcanic sequence comprises of rhyolite, andesite, pillow basalt, massive basalt, tuff and mafic pyroclasts. Emplacement of diverse felsic and mafic rocks together testifies for a multi-stage and multi-source magmatism for the area. The presence of pillow basalt marks the eruption of these rocks in a subaqueous environment. Intermittent eruption of mafic and felsic magmas resulted in the formation of rhyolite, mafic pyroclasts, and tuff. Mixing and mingling of the felsic and mafic magmas resulted in the hybrid rock andesite. Granites are emplaced later, crosscutting the volcanic sequence and are probably products of fractional crystallization of basaltic magma. The present work characterizes the geochemical characteristics of the magmatic rocks comprising of basalt, andesite, rhyolite, tuff, and granite of the area. Tholeiitic trend for basalt and calc-alkaline affinities of andesite, rhyolite and granite is consistent with their generation in an island arc, subduction related setting. The rocks of the BVS sequence probably mark the collision of the northern and southern Indian blocks during Proterozoic period. The explosive submarine volcanism may be related to culmination of the collision of the aforementioned blocks during the Neoproterozoic (1.0 Ga) as the Grenvillian metamorphism is well established in various parts of CGGC.

15 illus, 2 tables, 54 ref

019618   Rudra A;Dutta S;Raju S V (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400 076, Email: arudra@iitb.ac.in) : Molecular composition and paleobotanical origin of eocene resin from Northeast India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 935-41.

The molecular composition of fossil resins from early to middle Eocene coal from northeast India, has been analyzed for the first time to infer their paleobotanical source. The soluble component of fossil resin was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The resin extracts are composed of cadalene-based C₁₅ sesquiterpenoids and diagenetically altered triterpenoids. The macromolecular composition was investigated using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The major pyrolysis products are C₁₅ bicyclic sesquiterpenoids, alkylated naphthalenes, benzenes and a series of C₁₇-C₃₄ n-alkene-n-alkane pairs. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the dominance of aliphatic components. The presence of cadalene-based sequiterpenoids confirms the resin to be Class II or dammar resin, derived from angiosperms of Dipterocarpaceae family. These sesquiterpenoids are often detected in many SE Asian fluvio-deltaic oils. Dipterocarpaceae are characteristic of warm tropical climate suggesting the prevalence of such climate during early Eocene in northeast India.

5 illus, 1 table, 28 ref

019617   Remya P G;Raj Kumar;Basu S (Information Services and Ocean Sciences Group, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, "Ocean Valley", Pragathi Nagar (BO), Nizampet (SO), Hyderabad-500 090, Email: remyabijeshh@gmail.com) : Assessment of wind forcing impact on a spectral wave model for the Indian ocean. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1075-87.

The focus of the present study is the assessment of the impact of wind forcing on the spectral wave model MIKE 21 SW in the Indian Ocean region. Three different wind fields, namely the ECMWF analyzed winds, the ECMWF blended winds, and the NCEP blended winds have been used to drive the model. The wave model results have been compared with in-situ observations and satellite altimeter data. This study also evaluated the performance of the wind products during local phenomenon like sea breeze, since it has a significant impact on the wave prediction in the Indian coastal region. Hence we explored the possibility of studying the impact of diurnal variation of winds on coastal waves using different wind fields. An analysis of the model performance has also been made during high wind conditions with the inference that blended winds generate more realistic wave fields in the high wind conditions and are able to produce the growth and decay of waves more realistically.

11 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

019616   Ray A K;Ghosh T (NO, , Geological Survey of India, Central Headquarter, 27-J.L. Nehru Road, Kolkata-700 162) : Soil geotechnics in urban planning - a case study from Kolkata megacity. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 209-16.

Detailed soil investigation in Chandannagar area of Kolkata Megacity project area was carried out for urban planning. Soil is characterized predominantly by fine grained texture. The SPT (N values) values obtained from the soil down to 10m have been found to vary from 4 to 12. This wide variation may be attributed to variation in composition and proportion of silt, sand and organic matter. Various geotechnical properties including Cohesion (C) and Angle of shearing (Φ) have been determined. Based on the united classification system on consistency limit the soil of the area can be classified into MI, MH, CH, ML, Cl and CL group. Bearing capacity as well as settlement for different types of loaded structure has been computed from the geotechnical parameters.

2 illus, 3 tables

019615   Rajkumar H S;Klein H (United College, Manipur Univ, Manipur, Email: mohnarooprajkumar@gmail.com) : First perissodactyl footprints from flysch deposits of the barail group (lower oligocene) of Manipur, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 413-20.

Two pes imprints of a perissodactyl mammal constituting a single step of a trackway have recently been discovered in Oligocene Flysch deposits of the Barail Group in Manipur, India. The tridactyl, mesaxonic imprints (p <126> 7 cm in length) show strong similarities to footprints known from the Paleogene of China and can be attributed to a tapiroid, rhinocerotoid or equoid trackmaker. This is the first record of perissodactyl footprints from the Lower Oligocene of India and the first evidence of mammals in the Barail Group of the age. Remarkable is the occurrence in a marginal marine setting, whereas other known perissodactyl footprints from the Eocene-Oligocene in particular from North America, Europe and China come from fluvio-lacustrine strata.

3 illus, 1 table, 43 ref

019614   Rajamanickam M;Balakrishnan S;Bhutani R (Earth Sciences Dep, Pondicherry Univ, Puducherry-605 014, Email: balakrishnan.srinivasan@gmail.com) : Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope systematics and geochemical studies on metavolcanic rocks from peddavura greenstone belt: evidence for presence of mesoarchean continental crust in easternmost part of dharwar craton, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 989-1011.

Linear, north-south trending Peddavura greenstone belt occurs in easternmost part of the Dharwar Craton. It consists of pillowed basalts, basaltic andesites, andesites (BBA) and rhyolites interlayered with ferruginous chert that were formed under submarine condition. Rhyolites were divided into type-I and II based on their REE abundances and HREE fractionation. Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope studies were carried out on the rock types to understand the evolution of the Dharwar Craton. Due to source heterogeneity Sm-Nd isotope system has not yielded any precise age. Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron age of 2551 ± 19 (MSWD = 1.16) Ma for BBA group could represent time of seafloor metamorphism after the formation of basaltic rocks. Magmas representing BBA group of samples do not show evidence for crustal contamination while magmas representing type-II rhyolites had undergone variable extents of assimilation of Mesoarchean continental crust (<62>3.3 Ga) as evident from their initial eNd isotope values. Trace element and Nd isotope characteristics of type I rhyolites are consistent with model of generation of their magmas by partial melting of mixed sources consisting of basalt and oceanic sediments with continental crustal components. Thus this study shows evidence for presence of Mesoarchean continental crust in Peddavura area in eastern part of Dharwar Craton.

14 illus, 3 tables, 90 ref

019613   Prasad V S;Mohandas S;Dutta S K;Gupta M D; Iyengar G R;Rajagopal E N;Basu S (NO, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, A-50, Sector 62, Noida-201 309, Email: prasadvs@gmail.com) : Improvements in medium range weather forecasting system of India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 247-58.

Medium range weather forecasts are being generated in real time using Global Data Assimilation Forecasting System (GDAFS) at NCMRWF since 1994. The system has been continuously upgraded in terms of data usage, assimilation and forecasting system. Recently this system was upgraded to a horizontal resolution of T574 (about 22 km) with 64 levels in vertical. The assimilation scheme of this upgraded system is based on the latest Grid Statistical Interpolation (GSI) scheme and it has the provision to use most of available meteorological and oceanographic satellite datasets besides conventional meteorological observations. The new system has an improved procedure for relocating tropical cyclone to its observed position with the correct intensity. All these modifications have resulted in improvement of skill of medium range forecasts by about 1 day.

9 illus, 5 tables, 41 ref

019612   Pati J K;Panigrahi M K;Chakarborty M (Earth and Planetary Sciences Dep, Allahabad Univ, Allahabad-211 002, Email: jkpati@gmail.com) : Granite-hosted molybdenite mineralization from archean Bundelkhand craton-molybdenite characterization, host rock mineralogy, petrology, and fluid inclusion characteristics of mo-bearing quartz. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 943-58.

The dominantly high-K, moderate to high SiO₂ containing, variably fractionated, volcanic-arc granitoids (± sheared) from parts of Bundelkhand craton, northcentral India are observed to contain molybdenite (Mo) in widely separated 23 locations in the form of specks, pockets, clots and stringers along with quartz ± pyrite ± arsenopyrite ± chalcopyrite ± bornite ± covellite ± galena ± sphalerite and in invisible form as well. The molybdenite mineralization is predominantly associated with Bundelkhand Tectonic Zone, Raksa Shear Zone, and localized shear zones. The incidence of molybdenite is also observed within sheared quartz and tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) gneisses. The fluid inclusion data show the presence of bi-phase (H₂O-CO₂), hypersaline and moderate temperature (100°-300°C) primary stretched fluid inclusions suggesting a possible hydrothermal origin for the Mo-bearing quartz occurring within variably deformed different granitoids variants of Archean Bundelkhand craton.

8 illus, 4 tables, 61 ref

019611   Papanna G;Venkateshwarlu M;Periasamy V; Nagendra R (NO, CSIR - National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: mamila_v@rediffmail.com) : Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) studies of campanian-maastrichtian sediments of ariyalur group, cauvery basin, Tamil Nadu, India: an appraisal to paleocurrent directions. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 351-64.

Oriented samples of sediments from Ariyalur Group, Cauvery Basin, south India, were studied for low field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements to unravel the magnetic fabrics and paleocurrent directions. The results of AMS parameters of the sediments indicate primary depositional fabrics for Sillakkudi, Ottakovil and Kallamedu sandstone formations and secondary fabric for Kallankurichchi limestone formation. The obtained low degree of anisotropy (P_j ), oblate shape AMS ellipsoid and distribution of maximum (K₁) and minimum (K₃) susceptibility axes on equal area projection confirm the primary sedimentary fabric for Sillakkudi, Ottakovil and Kallamedu Formations. In the case of ferruginous, lower arenaceous, Gryphaea limestone and upper arenaceous limestone beds of Kallankurichchi Formation have recorded more than one fabric. The observed AMS parameters like shape factor (T) (prolate to oblate), q value and random distribution of minimum (K₃) and maximum (K₁) susceptibility axes are supported for secondary fabrics in Kallankurichchi Formation as a result of post-depositional processes. Based on petrographic studies, it can be established that K₁ AMS axis of biotite mineral could represent the flow direction. The established paleocurrent direction for Sillakkudi is NW-SE direction while Ottakovil and Kallamedu Formations recorded NE-SW direction. Overall the paleoflow directions observed for Ariyalur Group is NE-SW to NW-SE.

7 illus, 2 tables

019610   Pankaj;Arpita;Pankaj Kumar (NO, , ) : Grain size distribution pattern of soils in Rare Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 103-10.

Grain size analysis of Rae Bareilly District, U.P. have been done with the help of soil mechanics studies of the 90 soil samples, which have been collected in 2.5x2.5 sq km grid pattern. Soils have been classified based on the gradation curve in case of coarse grain soil and Atterberg's Limit test in case of fine grain soil. After grain size analysis two different maps are prepared one is "Soil Textural Classification Map" and another is "Soil Classification Map (Based on Soil Group)". With the help of above two different maps it was observed that soils of Rae Bareilly district gradationally change from sand to silt and then clay, with the change in the plasticity of the soils. In southern part, soils are non plastic, but the northern as well as north eastern and north western part soils are plastic in nature. Proper precaution is essential for designing the foundation of engineering structures in these areas and high rise buildings are not advisable.

2 illus, 1 table

019609   Molinaroli E;Sarretta A;Ferrarin C;Masiero E; Specchiulli A;Guerzoni S (Dipartimento di Scienze Ambienali Informatica e Statistica, Universita Ca Foscari Venezia, Dorsoduro 2137, 30123 Venezia, Italy, Email: molinaro@unive.it) : Sediment grain size and hydrodyanimics in mediterranean coastal lagoons: integrated classification of abiotic parameters. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1097-1114.

Integrated classification maps were produced by combining sediment grain-size and hydrological data (water renewal time, WRT) from two Mediterranean lagoons, Lesina (LL) and Varano (LV), Italy. The geophysical characteristics of the two basins, derived from detailed bathymetric charts, are quite distinct: p <126> 30% of LL (mean depth p <126> 1 m) but only 3% of LV (mean depth p <126> 3 m) is shallower than 1 m. The sediments of both lagoons are mainly composed of mud (p <126> 80%). A detailed multivariate analysis of grainsize data by EntropyMax classified the lagoon beds of LL and LV into five sedimentary facies. WRT data, computed by a hydrodynamic model, indicated different hydrological conditions in the two lagoons: LL showed a sharp west-east gradient, with a basin-wide average of p <126> 190 days, whilst LV showed a fairly uniform distribution and a higher basin-wide average (p <126> 260 days). The distribution of sedimentary facies and water renewal times were combined in a composite map representing the distribution of environmental patterns. The approach outlined in this study can be used to improve zonation schemes by providing a hydromorphological perspective on transitional and coastal environments.

7 illus, 2 tables, 64 ref

019608   Mishra P;Saha S K;Pushp Lata (NO, , Director, E.R, Geological Survey of India) : Sherwani landslide complex, east District, Sikkim - a case study. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 130-41.

2 tables, 1 ref

019607   Mishra P;Pushp Lata;Gairola B M (NO, , Director, EPE Div, Geological Survey of India) : Disasters - natural or manmade? - some observations. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 142-52.

The natural disaster in Uttarakhand especially in Kedaranth and Badrinath area in June 16, 2013 has shattered, shocked and shaked the people of the state as well as the nation. This resulted in death of thousands of people and numerous livestock, destroying/damaging vast properties subsequent to cloud burst, lake break, floods, numerous landslides and avalanches. Cloud burst, flash flood and landslides, devastated the Kinnaur area of Himachal Pradesh, on the same day. After the incidence, a large no. of voices raised against the cascading hydro projects which has come up/coming up/planning to come up. Though, the hazard was termed as natural but the interpretation tends to blame anthropogenic activities specially, hydroelectric projects. This paper deals with some observations on the natural calamities during geological periods, ancient/historical periods and recent past. The studies indicate that the natural disaster like cloud burst, glacial lake outburst, floods, earthquake, landslides, shifting of river courses have been experienced in ancient period/historic and recent past where there was no dams and reservoirs. We are facing the same type of hazard/disaster at present. These natural hazards are a part and parcel of the earth history and we have to bear with it. The main causative factors for this hardship and severe degradation of landforms are fast growing population, unplanned settlement, improper construction like roads, buildings, industries, indiscriminate blasting and mining, improper disposal of excavated muck and waste; encroachment of vulnerable slopes, river regimes etc. However, our efforts should be to minimise the affect of these hazards by proper planning, implementation and monitoring of future activities. We need power, industries, irrigation, potable water to cope up the demand of the fast growing populations. As such, we need hydroelectric, irrigation, water supply and multi-purpose projects to meet the need of the population and to keep pace with the development of our country.

5 ref

019606   Mishra P;Gupta S (Engineering Project Evaluation Div, DGCO, Geological Survey of India, New Delhi) : Geological and geotechnical investigations for preparations of bankable DPR on hydroelectric project. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 24-33.

The paper describes methodology for preparation of bankable DPR for water resource projects. Various stages of investigation and the processes involved are given which will facilitate in preparation of dependable DPR. The main requirement of DPR being bankable is the assurance of the project being constructed in the estimated cost and time schedule. DPR stage Investigations can be broadly grouped under: 1. Topographic survey. 2. Hydro-metrological investigations. 3. Geological and geotechnical investigations. The detailed investigations for various structures are also discussed. Investigations related to reservoir, construction material are also debated. The comprehensive paper includes discussion on rock mechanic tests also.

019605   Kulkarni K G;Borkar V D (Geology and Palaeontology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune-411 004, Email: kantimatik@gmail.com) : Ichnofauna from the harbans bed of the badhaura formation (sterlitmakian), Rajasthan, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 121-32.

In the first ever systematic study of trace fossils from the Badhaura Formation, the authors described a nesting burrow, which they ascribed to a stomatopod. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: primarily, to document ichnofauna from (post-glacial marine late Palaeozoic rocks of peninsular India) the Badhaura Formation (Sterlitmakian) representing marine rocks deposited following the Late Palaeozoic glaciation and secondly to contribute to the data on post-glacial ichnofauna from constituent continents of the Gondwanaland. Trace fossils described here are from the Harbans Bed, the topmost lithounit of the Badhaura Formation. The ichnofauna includes Arenicolites tenuis, Beaconites isp., Curvolithus isp., Cylindrichnus concentricus, Didymaulichnus lyelli, Ophiomorpha isp., Palaeophycus tubularis, Planolites beverleyensis, P. montanus, Rosselia chonoides, R. socialis, Skolithos linearis, Taenidium cameronensis, Thalassinoides paradoxicus, Thalassinoides isp. and a flask-shaped brood chamber assigned to a stomatopod crustacean. This mixed assemblage is assigned to distal Skolithos ichnofacies and is suggestive of a period of relatively quiet, shallow water conditions of deposition. The ichnofauna, when viewed in context of peri-gondwanic ichnofaunas, mainly consisting of simple tracks and trails, from late Palaeozoic post-glacial deposits of other Gondwanan continents, is interesting due to dominance of domichnia. Profusion of brood chambers along with Thalassinoides in the Badhaura Formation validates the concept of pre-Mesozoic Thalassinoides being non-decapod in origin and suggestive of adaptive convergence.

1 illus, 1 table, 42 ref

019604   Khan P K;Ansari M A;Mohanty S (Applied Geophysics Dep, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Email: pkkhan_india@yahoo.com) : Earthquake source characteristics along the arcuate himalayan belt: geodynamic implications. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1013-30.

The occurrences of moderate to large magnitude earthquakes and associated subsurface geological processes were critically examined in the backdrop of Indian plate obliquity, stress obliquity, topography, and the late Tertiary regional tectonics for understanding the evolving dynamics and kinematics in the central part of the Himalayas. The higher topographic areas are likely associated with the zones of depressions, and the lower topographic areas are found around the ridges located in the frontal part of the orogen. A positive correlation between plate and stress obliquities is established for this diffuse plate boundary. We propose that the zone of sharp bending of the descending Indian lithosphere is the nodal area of major stress accumulation which is released occasionally in form of earthquakes. The lateral geometry of the Himalayas shows clusters of seismicity at an angle of p <126> 20° from the centre part of the arc. Such spatial distribution is interpreted in terms of compression across the arc and extension parallel to the arc. This biaxial deformation results in the development of dilational shear fractures, observed along the orogenic belt, at an angle of p <126> 20° from the principal compressive stress axis.

10 illus, 1 table, 38 ref

019603   Jha C S;Rodda S R;Thumaty K C;Raha A K; Dadhwal V K (NO, National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO), Balanagar, Hyderabad-500 037, Email: surajking123@gmail.com) : Eddy covariance based methane flux in sundarbans mangroves, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1089-96.

It reports the initial results of the methane flux measured using eddy covariance method during summer months from the world's largest mangrove ecosystem, Sundarbans of India. Mangrove ecosystems are known sources for methane (CH₄) having very high global warming potential. In order to quantify the methane flux in mangroves, an eddy covariance flux tower was recently erected in the largest unpolluted and undisturbed mangrove ecosystem in Sundarbans (India). The tower is equipped with eddy covariance flux tower instruments to continuously measure methane fluxes besides the mass and energy fluxes. This paper presents the preliminary results of methane flux variations during summer months (i.e., April and May 2012) in Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem. The mean concentrations of CH₄ emission over the study period was 1682 ± 956 ppb. The measured CH₄ fluxes computed from eddy covariance technique showed that the study area acts as a net source for CH₄ with daily mean flux of 150.22 ± 248.87 mg m^-2 day^-1. The methane emission as well as its flux showed very high variability diurnally. Though the environmental conditions controlling methane emission is not yet fully understood, an attempt has been made in the present study to analyse the relationships of methane efflux with tidal activity. This present study is part of Indian Space Research Organisation-Geosphere Biosphere Program (ISRO-GBP) initiative under 'National Carbon Project'.

7 illus, 25 ref

019602   Jeelani G H;Shah R A;Hussain A (Earth Sciences Dep, Kashmir Univ, Srinagar, J & K-190 006, Email: geojeelani@gmail.com) : Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Kashmir valley, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1031-43.

Groundwater samples (n = 163) were collected across Kashmir Valley in 2010 to assess the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater in shallow and deep aquifers and its suitability for domestic, agriculture, horticulture, and livestock purposes. The groundwater is generally alkaline in nature. The electrical conductivity (EC) which is an index to represent the total concentration of soluble salts in water was used to measure the salinity hazard to crops as it reflects the TDS in groundwater ranging from 97 to 1385 μS/cm, except one well in Sopore. The average concentration of major ions was higher in shallow aquifers than in deeper aquifers. In general, Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation and HCO^-₃ the dominant anion. Ca-HCO₃, Mg-HCO₃, Ca-Mg-HCO₃, Na-HCO₃ were the dominant hydrogeochemical facies. High concentration of HCO₃ and pH less than 8.8 clearly indicated that intense chemical weathering processes have taken place in the study area. The groundwater flow pattern in the area follows the local surface topography which not only modifies the hydrogeochemical facies but also controls their distribution. The groundwater in valley flows into four directions, i.e., SW-NE, NE-W, SE-NW and SE-NE directions. The results suggest that carbonate dissolution is the dominant source of major ions followed by silicate weathering and ion-exchange processes. The concentrations of all the major ions determined in the present study are within the permissible limits ofWHO and BIS standards. The results of Total Hardness, SAR, Na %, Kelly Index, USDA classification, Magnesium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, and PI suggested that groundwater is good for drinking, livestock, and irrigation purposes.

5 illus, 1 table, 55 ref

019601   Honkanadavur N P;Kumar N;Ratnam M (NO, , ) : Prediction of shear strength parameter for prototype rockfill material using index properties. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 111-19.

They concluded that stress-strain behaviour is non-linear, inelastic and stress level dependent for both materials. The volume change at failure increases with increase in confining pressure (σ₃) and d_max for both rock fill materials. They also concluded that the shear strength parameter, angle of internal friction, φ) increases with increase in d_max for all the riverbed rock fill materials. However, they concluded that the angle of internal friction, φ decreases with increase in d_max for all the quarried rock fill material.

6 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

019600   Dasgupta S;Mukhopadhyay B (NO, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata, Email: sujitdasgupta@yahoo.com) : Earthquake - landslide - flood nexus at the lower reaches of yigong tsangpo, Tibet: remote control for catastrophic flood in Siang, Arunachal Pradesh and upper Assam, India.. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 177-90.

Unlike rain driven monsoonal floods in the upper reaches of Brahmaputra River, out of turn flood from breach of barrier landslide dam at the lower reaches of Yigong Tsangpo, upstream Siang River occurred in early June 2000. On 11 June 2000 catastrophic flood discharge passed through Pasighat where Siang debouches to the upper Assam plains in India. The landslide dam blocked the Yigong River on April 9, 2000 after a huge rock-debris avalanche slide down the Zemu creek to form a fan covering 2.5km of the Yigong River. The slide site has a protracted history of failure since 1900 when the Yigong Lake was first formed; recurrent block and breach of barrier dam followed by flood occurred several times and the lake-reservoir remained as a permanent feature. Seismotectonic analysis around the site indicates that preparatory phase activity within the slide debris was initiated in 1997 - 1998, which was triggered by earthquakes and the main avalanche of 9 April 2000 was also preceded by two earthquakes on the same day that might have been the immediate cause of triggering the landslide. The landslide dam site locates at the junction of two active strike slip faults accompanied with earthquake cluster that also include seismic swarm pulses during monsoon at regular interval, sufficient to destabilize the debris apron over steep rocky slopes. High stress in the region manifests through somewhat anomalous seismic activity including reservoir triggered swarms that have cascading effect through a complex interaction of earthquake, landslide and downstream flood.

8 illus, 2 tables

019599   Dasgupta A;Sachdeva R;Sharma S (NO, CVPP Limited Jammu, 180012, Jammu and Kashmir) : Earthquake occurrences in kishtwar region, Jammu and Kashmir. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 166-76.

The present study was carried out in a 2° x 2° i.e. 32° N- 34° N and 75°E to 77°E around the proposed sites of Chenab Valley Power Projects viz. Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar Hydroelectric Projects which falls under Kishtwar region of J&K State in zone IV of the Seismic Zoning map of India. The entire region of Kishtwar is flanked with number of regional thrusts (Main boundary thrust and Main Central Thrust) along with some local thrusts and faults namely Kishtwar Fault (KF), Buzzensheru fault, Chattru thrust and Shalimar thrust. A study on occurrences of earthquake has been carried out covering around 476 events during last 30 years recorded by Indian Metrological Department. Out of 476 events 28, 293, 97, 51 and 7 lie in a magnitude range of 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6 on Richter Scale respectively, with shallow focus to intermediate focus earthquakes. There are around 321 earthquakes reported for which the magnitude was less than three and only seven earthquakes experienced for which the magnitude lies in between 5-6. The maximum magnitude recorded in this region which was reported by IMD is M5.8 on lst May 2013 followed by number of aftershocks. The epicentre of most of the earthquakes which occurred in this region lies near to Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), Main Central Thrust (MCT) and Kishtwar Fault (KF). Most of the earthquakes occur in this region are less than 3 in magnitude which reflects that the built up stress was continuously released from time to time which infers to less the probability of large earthquakes in future. This paper attempts to lay emphasis that huge civil structures viz. dams etc. can be constructed even in highly seismic prone areas by analyzing and using site specific earthquake design parameters.

4 illus, 28 ref

019598   Das P P;Sahoo H K;Mohapatra P P (Geology Dep, Utkal Univ, Bhubaneswar, Odisha) : Premonsoonal spatial distribution of groundwater hardness: a case study in Mahakalapara Block, Kendrapara District, Odisha, India. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2015, 4(1), 10-4.

From the hydrochemical analysis of 89 representative groundwater samples along coastal Kendrapara district, Odisha, the current research establishes widespread occurrences of moderately hard to hard groundwater within the subsurface water bearing horizons. There exists a distinct belt of moderately hard ground water in both the Mahakalapara and Rajnagar blocks of the district whereas a specific patch of extremely hard water horizon does exist in the former block. The analysis also points to no specific interrelationship between the hardness of groundwater to that of the physical parameters including pH and electrical conductance.

5 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

019597   Chawre B;Yadav R P;Mishra K K (NO, Central Soil & Material Research Station, Hauzkhas, New Delhi, Email: bharti.bhanu.2005@gmail.com) : In-situ shear strength parameters - a case study. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 96-102.

The strength parameters of rock mass are playing a challenging role in the design of engineering structures in or on rock mass. It is difficult to determine the accurate shear strength parameters of rock masses in the laboratory as the samples need to be undisturbed and sufficiently large to be representative of the discontinum rock mass. Hence, in-situ direct shear tests are conducted to find out the shear strength parameters in terms of cohesion 'c' and angle of friction '0'. Present paper deals with in-situ direct shear tests conducted at dam axis drift of Kirthai H. E. Project (Stage-Il) for rock over rock (Granite Gneiss) interface. In-situ shear tests (rock over rock interface) have been conducted in the drift at different but constant normal load to evaluate shear strength parameter, cohesion 'c' and friction angle '0' of the rock mass. By using best fit line method in the plot of shear stress v/s normal stress, 'c' and '0' are determined. Interestingly higher angle of friction '0' has been observed in the present investigation. The strength of a rock mass depends not only on the nature of the rock material (intact rock), but also on the discontinuities that separate the intact rock blocks. In many cases, the behaviour of a rock mass is controlled by sliding along discontinuities. The present study is focused to highlight the probable reason for this peculiar observation.

6 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

019596   Chasie M;Theophilus P K;Sarkar N K (NO, Geological Survey of India, NER, Shillong, Email: niroj4@gmail.com) : Detailed field-based geotechnical characterization of the two conspicuous rockslides affecting the strategic hayuliang -metengliang-chaglogam (H-M-C) road corridor, Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 191-201.

Detailed Geological evaluation and field based geotechnical characterization of the two conspicuous rockslides affecting the strategic H-M-C road corridor, Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh was carried out to understand the stability condition of these active rock slide and thereby formulating mitigation measures. The RMR (Rock Mass Rating) and Slope mass rating (SMR) as per Beiniawski (1973) and (Romana, 1985) were estimated from the attributes of the discontinuity surfaces and on field determination of the rock-mass strength using Schmidt Hammer. C (Cohesion) and 0 (angle of internal friction) of the rock mass was estimated from the determined RMR value and utilized for kinematic analysis. At Km 9 location RMR_b, value of the rock mass is estimated to be 50 (Class III, Fair Rock) and corresponding SMR (Romana (1985) is 23 (Class IV, Bad)). Kinematic analysis shows that condition of planar failure along a discontinuity dipping 64° → N145°. Based on the field evaluation and geotechnical characterization, removal of the overhang to the upslope, consolidation of the profusely jointed rock-mass through application of steel fibre reinforced shotcrete (SFRS) and spot bolting (25°-30° → N320°-N330°), etc. has been recommended as remedial measures. In the studied rockslide at KM 29.9, a prominent central depression divides the affected slope face into the left (56°-60° → N315°-N320°) and right slopes (60°-63° → N215°-N220°). The obtained RMR_b value is 44 (Class III, Fair Rock) and corresponding SMR value obtained for the right slope is 17 (Class V, Very bad) whereas SMR value for the left slope is 2 (Class V, Very bad). In the right slope, planar failure along the foliation plane (F_j 54° → N200°), wedge failure along the intersection plane of F_j & J₆ (the wedge dipping 46° → N242°) and toppling failure along the 75° → N34° disposed discontinuity has been interpreted through kinematic analysis. In the left slope, planar failure along the 46° → N302° plane and toppling failure along N32°E /sub vertical plane was similarly interpreted. In the central part, distinct wedge failure (wedge plunging 32° → N264°) along the intersection plane of F_j (54° → N200°) & J₅ (44° → N51°) was seen and interpreted. Based on the above, remedial measures like removal of the overhanging rock mass on the upslope of the road bench, treatment of the slope with SFRS (Steel Fibre Reinforced shotcrete), staggered bolting has been suggested. Further, provision of multilevel transverse structures across the central depression, construction of a two-tier retaining wall to the down slope, stitching/anchoring with the foundation of the retaining walls to the bedrock etc. has been recommended.

10 illus, 4 tables, 5 ref

019595   Ceken U;Beyhan G;Salim H H (NO, , Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Email: hselim@ticaret.edu.tr ) : City of bingol in may 2003: assessment of strong ground motion records. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 381-94.

Main shock of Bingol earthquake (M_W2 at the nearest station which is 12 km away from the epicenter of earthquake. Especially, 0.15 s short period was observed when high spectral acceleration value occurred. An acceleration value greater than 50 gal was recorded at the BNG (Bingol) station and structural damage occurred within 6.5 s was very important for the near source and strong ground motion seismology. The recorded peak acceleration values were greater than the estimated empirical acceleration values. However, the structural damage was not as high and widespread as expected. This occurrence was explained by considering the factors of earthquake source, frequency content, effective duration, effective acceleration value, local soil conditions, rupture direction and attenuation.

17 illus, 22 ref

019594   Calla O P N;Mathur S;Jangid M (NO, International Centre for Radio Science, Jodhpur-342 304, Email: opnc06@gmail.com) : Equatorial regions of moon with the help of backscattering coefficient obtained from LRO data. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 433-43.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has a miniature radio-frequency (Mini-RF) payload, i.e., the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that has provided very fundamental information about the lunar surface and subsurface which was not known inspite of many manned and unmanned missions. Microwave sensors are used for analyzing the equatorial region of the Moon (60°N to 60°S) which is covered with many well-known craters like Kopff, Taylor, Maunder, Descartes, Jackson and Santos Dumont, each having different topography. The LRO data in terms of the scattering coefficient (s°LH and s°LV) with incidence angle of 49° has been used for computing physical and electrical parameter of lunar surface and to learn more about the impact cratering process. Most of the lunar surface shows small Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR), i.e., the reversal of polarization is normal, but some targets have high CPR. In this paper we have discussed the scattering behaviour of lunar equatorial region where the value of CPR <62>1. Studies say that the LV intensity is always greater than LH but from the data obtained from LRO, it is observed that it varies at each pixel depending upon the target properties under radar view.

13 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

019593   Bhu H;Purohit R;Joga Ram;Sharma P;Jakhar S R (Geology Dep, ML Sukhadia Univ, Udaipur-313 001, Email: harsh_bhu2003@yahoo.com) : Neotectonic activity and parity in movements of Udaipur block of the arvalli craton and Indian plate. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 343-50.

Report site motion of a permanent GPS site at Udaipur (udai), Rajasthan on the Udaipur block of Aravalli Craton. The GPS measurements of 2007-2011 suggest that the site moves at a rate of about 49 mm/year towards northeast. As the site motion is consistent with the predicted plate motion using the estimated euler pole of rotation for the Indian Plate, it implies that there is insignificant internal deformation/strain in the region. Such a deformation is consistent with very low seismic activity in the region. The epicenters of the infrequent low magnitude earthquakes are located on the Precambrian lineaments on the west of Udaipur Block, and on the NW-SE striking younger lineament in the south of the block.

3 illus, 1 table, 39 ref

019592   Bhattacharya S;Dutta S;Dutta R (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400 076, Email: sharmila.bhattacharya@iitb.ac.in) : Molecular fossils in cretaceous condensate from western India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 923-34.

The present study reports the biomarker distribution of condensate belonging to the early Cretaceous time frame using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The early Cretaceous palaeoenvironment was inscribed into these molecular fossils which reflected the source and conditions of deposition of the condensate. The saturate fraction of the condensate is characterized by normal alkanes ranging from n-C₉ to n-C₂₉ (CPI-1.13), cycloalkanes and C₁₄ and C₁₅ sesquiterpanes. The aromatic fraction comprises of naphthalene, phenanthrene, their methylated derivatives and cyclohexylbenzenes. Isohexylalkylnaphthalenes, a product of rearrangement process of terpenoids, is detected in the condensate. Several aromatic sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids have been recorded. Dihydro-ar-curcumene, cadalene and ionene form the assemblage of sesquiterpenoids which are indicative of higher plant input. Aromatic diterpenoid fraction comprises of simonellite and retene. These compounds are also indicative of higher plants, particularly conifer source which had been a predominant flora during the Cretaceous time.

7 illus, 3 tables, 49 ref

019591   Basu Roy S (NO, , ) : Geological investigation, a necessity in every stage of project advancement- a case study, Punasi reservoir scheme, Deoghar district, Jharkhand. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 84-95.

1 table

019590   Aravind K;Chandrasekaran S;Sanwal R (Engineering Geology Div, Geological Survey of India, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600 090, Email: gsiaravind@gmail.com) : Geotechnical problem encountered in HRT of pallivasal extension scheme, Idukki district, Kerala. J Engng Geol 2014, 38-9(2,1), 74-83.

Pallivasal Extension Scheme is under construction by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), to replace the water conductor system of the existing Pallivasal Powerhouse (37.5 MW) and augment the installed capacity of the Project by putting up an additional power house of 60 MW capacity. It is proposed to construct a 3,396 m long, 3.5 m dia. power tunnel, with intake sill level at 1442 m above m.s.l., 7 m dia. 49 m deep circular surge shaft, 1,019 m long 2.5 m dia. pressure shaft, two penstocks, one 1161 m long 2.0 m dia. and another 800 m long with 1.6 m dia. to feed both the power houses. The tail waters of the new powerhouse would be collected in the tailrace weir and flow into the Sengulam Reservoir by gravity. Barring excavation for the initial stretch of power tunnel and surge shaft, other excavations are nearing completion. Hornblende biotite gneiss (migmatite), Pink Granite gneiss and pegmatite forms the foundation/tunnelling media with 5 sets of prominent joint planes were including the foliation joint. While driving the HRT towards the intake direction, problem raised due to land subsidence in the Tata Tea Estate, subsequently geotechnical evaluation have been made at the subsidence area. The reason for the subsidence is directly linked with the reported loose fall in HRT Face - II, since the subsidence area falls in the alignment of the HRT at ch. 1170.50 m (10° 03' 57" E, 77° 03' 32" N), within the Tata Tea Estate. An area of about 10 m dia. has been subsided above the tunnel heading face. The subsidence has created a sink hole of about 6 m depth. Grouting with cement slurry from the surface has been recommended to avoid further sinking of the subsidence. But, the area between ch. 1148 and 1165 m in HRT Face-II show fairly a good rock mass with RQD 75; GSI 40 to 50; 'Q'= 7.5, classified as Fair rock mass quality and RMR = 69, Classified as Good rock mass rating. Since, the effort to drive by method of fore poling have failed, 'Pipe Roofing along with grouting' is suggested for further advancement continuing soft rock tunnelling method, with advance probe hole explorations and these recommendations have been incorporated by the KSEB and are presently being executed.

5 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

019589   Anitha G;Ramana M V;Ramprasad T;Dewangan P; Anuradha M (NO, CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: ramana@nio.org) : Shallow geological environment of Krishna-Godavari offshore, eastern continental margin of India as inferred from the interpretation of high resolution sparker data. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 329-42.

Krishna-Godavari offshore basin, a part of the eastern continental margin of India is a proven petroliferous basin. Recent drilling in this area in search of gas hydrates reveals that the upper p <126> 300 m thick Quaternary-Recent strata comprised of nannofossil bearing rich clays and, fractures/faults are the suitable zones for gas hydrates accumulation. Therefore, the knowledge about the shallow geological environments and its architecture are significantly important in assessing the gas hydrates potential of this area. In order to enhance the geological understanding, the newly acquired high resolution seismic (HRS) reflection data in this gas hydrates prone area is interpreted. The processed seismic sections show a maximum penetration of 562 ms TWT (p <126> 450 m) underneath the seabed with high resolution stratification. An attempt has been made to: (i) deduce the shallow geological environment from the reflection characteristics, and, (ii) assign tentative ages under the constraints of drilling/coring results. We further explained the observed folded structures on the surface and subsurface through a mechanism linked to shale tectonism and neotectonic activity.

8 illus, 31 ref

019588   Anil Kumar;Kumar M;Saraswat L D;Mahanti N C; Pandey V (Agricultural Meteorology Dep, BACA, AAU, Anand-388 110, Email: anilmeteo@gmail.com) : Effects of micrometeorological condition and atmospheric interaction during thunderstorm. Int J agric Sci Technol 2014, 3(1), 9-24.

Case study with using the abnormal weather condition during the thunderstorm activity was monitored weather variable with micrometeorological tower during the summer period of the year 2008, a micrometeorological tower of 32 m in height and surface observatory data sets was used to confine the micrometeorologicai condition during the convective condition and thunderstorm at BIT, Mesra, India. The objective of the present work is to study the response of surface layer parameter in the extreme weather condition and thunderstorm event and characterized from it during the phases, together with the statistical correlation. The various sensors were mounted on the tower to capture different meteorological phenomenon or physical dynamics of weather variables Ux, Uy and Uz along with time series with the accurately. Simultaneously, specific weather conditions during a selective period of study have been considered to observe the change in the performance of weather variables from fast response CSAT3 sonic anemometer and other slow response instruments. Also how this change affects the surface layer parameters with the presence of a typical weather system has been examined surface layer parameters have good interrelation during deep convective situations and thunderstorm event during the summer or hot season in per hurnid region and during the start the event turbulent kinetic energy and correlation with the turbulent kinetic energy with Ts (Sonic temperature) was 0.52 at time of beginning the event.

4 illus, 7 tables, 13 ref

019587   Amol P (NO, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: shankar@nio.org) : Observed intraseasonal and seasonal variability of the West India coastal current on the continental slope. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(5), 1045-74.

It presents current data from acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) moored on the continental slope off the west coast of India. The data were collected at four locations (roughly at Kanyakumari, Kollam, Goa, and Mumbai) extending from p <126> 7° to p <126> 20°N during 2008-2012. The observations show that a seasonal cycle, including an annual cycle, is present in the West India Coastal Current (WICC); this seasonal cycle, which strengthens northward, shows considerable interannual variability and is not as strongly correlated along the coast as in climatologies based on ship drifts or the altimeter. The alongshore decorrelation of theWICC is much stronger at intraseasonal periods, which are evident during the winter monsoon all along the coast. This intraseasonal variability is stronger in the south. A striking feature of the WICC is upward phase propagation, which implies an undercurrent whose depth becomes shallower as the season progresses. There are also instances when the phase propagates downward. At the two southern mooring locations off Kollam and Kanyakumari, the cross-shore current, which is usually associated with eddy-like circulations, is comparable to the alongshore current on occasions. A comparison with data from the OSCAR (Ocean Surface Currents Analyses Real-time) data product shows not only similarities, but also significant differences, particularly in the phase. One possible reason for this phase mismatch between the ADCP current at 48 m and the OSCAR current, which represents the current in the 0-30 m depth range, is the vertical phase propagation. Current products based on Ocean General Circulation Models like ECCO₂ (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean, Phase II) and GODAS (Global Ocean Data Assimilation System) show a weaker correlation with the ADCP current, and ECCO₂ does capture some of the observed variability.

20 illus, 4 tables, 31 ref

019586   Alam M M (Theoretical Div, SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, Email: mdalam60@gmail.com) : Impact of cloud microphysics and cumulus parameterization on simulation of heavy rainfall event during 7-9 october 2007 over Bangladesh. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(2), 259-79.

In the present study, the Advanced Research WRF (ARW) version 3.2.1 has been used to simulate the heavy rainfall event that occurred between 7 and 9 October 2007 in the southern part of Bangladesh. Weather Research and Forecast (WRF-ARW version) modelling system with six different microphysics (MP) schemes and two different cumulus parameterization (CP) schemes in a nested configuration was chosen for simulating the event. The model domains consist of outer and inner domains having 9 and 3 km horizontal resolution, respectively with 28 vertical sigma levels. The impacts of cloud microphysical processes by means of precipitation, wind and reflectivity, kinematic and thermodynamic characteristics of the event have been studied. Sensitivity experiments have been conducted with the WRF model to test the impact of microphysical and cumulus parameterization schemes in capturing the extreme weather event. NCEP FNL data were used for the initial and boundary condition. The model ran for 72 h using initial data at 0000 UTC of 7 October 2007. The simulated rainfall shows that WSM6-KF combination gives better results for all combinations and after that Lin-KF combination. WSM3-KF has simulated, less area average rainfall out of all MP schemes that were coupled with KF scheme. The sharp peak of relative humidity up to 300 hPa has been simulated along the vertical line where maximum updraft has been found for all MPs coupled with KF and BMJ schemes. The simulated rain water and cloud water mixing ratio were maximum at the position where the vertical velocity and reflectivity has also been maximum. The production of rain water mixing ratio depends on MP schemes as well as CP schemes. Rainfall depends on rain water mixing ratio between 950 and 500 hPa. Rain water mixing ratio above 500 hPa level has no effect on surface rain.

19 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

018536   Verma N;Devrani R;Singh V (Geology Dep, Centre for Advanced Studies, Delhi Univ, Chhatra Marg, Delhi-110 007, Email: vimalgeo@gmail.com) : Is Ganga the longest river in the Ganga basin, India?. Curr Sci 2014, 107(12), 2018-22.

The length of the main trunk in a river basin is an important morphometric parameter and it depends on the size of the drainage basin. The Ganga River Basin is one of the largest basins in the world with the Ganga River considered to be the main stem. Variable lengths of this river in the literature motivated us to study its exact length and also to test whether geomorphically it is the longest river in the basin. The results show that the maximum river length of 2758 km is attained when source is considered at the headstream of the Tons River. This length is more than any of the traditional lengths of the Ganga River in the literature. We propose to call the longest segment of the river in Ganga Basin as the Himalayan Foreland River.

4 illus, 3 tables, 22 ref

018535   Singh K P (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 606, Email: kpsingh@ngri.res.in) : Biogeophysical signatures of microbial natural gas accumulation. Curr Sci 2014, 107(11), 1880-4.

Natural gas is produced by subsurface thermogenic and biogenic processes. Although the contribution of microbial processes in the formation of methane gas accounts for more than 20% of the global natural gas resources, microbial contribution to natural gas accumulation is rarely considered in geophysical exploration. Thus, a laboratory study has been undertaken to investigate the possibility of monitoring and detecting the microbial formation of methane by electrical potential (EP) technique. Distinct EP observed from acetoclasitc and hydrotropic methanogenesis suggests that the detection and monitoring of biogenic formation of methane is possible by employing biogeophysical techniques.

7 illus, 37 ref

018534   Singh A;Singh S B (Geography Dep, BHU, Varanasi-221 005, Email: ashutosh4a@gmail.com) : Spatio-temporal analysis of settlements of upper Kosi watershed, Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2014, 37(2), 17-28.

Undisputably, Man has been the most active agent modifying the face of earth and at various stages of the history of landscape, the divers activities of human being result in to the transformation of the natural landscape to cultural landscape. The features of cultural landscape has evolved out of an interaction of space and time, it become essential to reconstruct the landscape of the past in order to explain the landscape of today. The present landscape features are in fact, the product of consequently changing process, which is conditioned, qualified or modified by the changing social, economic, cultural or political circumstances of the time. Present paper tries to explain the settlement system and Factors affecting the settlement system in Kumaon Himalaya by analyzing the case of Upper Kosi Watershed of Almora District.

4 illus, 5 tables, 23 ref

018533   Saikia U;Rai S S;Subrahmanyam M;Dutta S;Bose S;Borah K;Meena R (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: ngriutpal@gmail.com) : Accurate location and focal mechanism of small earthquakes near idukki reservoir, Kerala: implication fo earthquake genesis. Curr Sci 2014, 107(11), 1885-91.

Earthquake waveform from a new temporary network of 21 seismic stations in South India has been used to significantly improve the detection threshold and parameters of small earthquakes near Idukki Reservoir, Kerala. We present here precise location of 16 earthquakes in this region with a local magnitude of 1.5-3.6 and focal depth 7.2-9.9 km. Fault plane solutions of the selected best six earthquakes show strikeslip faulting and right lateral movement. Reservoir loading usually leads to generation of stress and therefore earthquakes in the shallow depth (<60> 5 km), that are absent in the region of Idukki Reservoir. Recorded earthquakes are confined to a NW-SE trending fault close to Karur-Kamabam-Painavu-Trichur (KKPT) shear zone. These observations suggest that the earthquakes in Idukki region are tectonic in nature and have no linkage with the reservoir.

9 illus, 5 tables, 24 ref