Structural Evolution of Mainpat Plateau, Surguja District, Central India

Abstract

The Mainpat Plateau falls in Surguja district in Chhattisgarh state, India. It is located in Survey of India toposheet numbers 64 N/1, N/5 and N/6 lying between longitudes E83^°08’ to 83^°25’ and latitudes N22^°41’ to 22^°55’. General elevation of the Plateau is around 1060 m msl. The Mainpat Plateau as a whole is a mesa landform; rising more than 450 m high from the foothills, and consisting of Archaeans (granite-gneisses, phyllite, etc.), Gondwanas and Deccan basalt. Archaeans found at the foothills are overlain by the Gondwanas at the western escarpment, and covered by basalt at the top. The Central Indian Craton (CIC) has four major NE-SW trending major lineaments. In which northern most lineament separates Bundelkhand granite and Vindhyan basin. In the south of this lineament another one major lineaments separates Vindhyans with Gondwanas. In further south major shear zone marked by lineament passing through Mainpat plateau. A lineament followed by Son and Tapti valley lies in the south of study area. Different parts (plateaus) of Surguja area belong to the Central Indian Craton (CIC). CIC is bounded by folded belts: (i) Raigarh folded belt to the east (ii) Delhi folded belt to the west (iii) Indogangetic plain to the north and (iv) Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt to the south.