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2019 | Book

Quaternary Geomorphology in India

Case Studies from the Lower Ganga Basin

Editors: Dr. Balai Chandra Das, Sandipan Ghosh, Dr. Aznarul Islam

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Geography of the Physical Environment

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About this book

This edited book presents a novel collection of field-based empirical studies on the Quaternary geomorphology of the Lower Ganga Basin.

The book covers a wide range of topics discussing various geomorphological facets of the Lower Ganga and its subsidiary rivers focussing on laterites, palaeoenvironment and palaeogeomorphology, palaeo-coastal landforms, neo-tectonism, tidal-fluvial dynamics, extra-channel geomorphology and channel-pattern adjustment among others. Various methodologies were applied ranging from historical records and religious texts to state-of-the-art remote sensing and GIS techniques.

The book appeals to all scientists and post-graduate students of geomorphology and related areas who want to acquire detailed knowledge of the geology and geomorphology of the Lower Ganga Basin or are in search of new methodologies for studying the feedback mechanisms between forms and processes.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Quaternary Geomorphology in India: Concepts, Advances and Applications
Abstract
This chapter deals with the critical review and summary of current advances and application of Quaternary geomorphology in Indian landscapes, specifically in the Lower Ganges Basin (LGB). Unfortunately, the LGB and Ganga–Brahmaputra Delta (GBD) perhaps are getting least attention by the practitioners of earth sciences and there is very little understanding of this Neogene–Quaternary morpho-stratigraphic unit from the perspectives of physical geography. Recently, the branch of Quaternary geomorphology has enough efficiency to analyse the Quaternary—Recent changes and records in the earth surfaces and the anthropogenic influence on the landforms and processes during recent times. Here, we have discussed and reviewed the key strengths of Quaternary geomorphology to re-explore the dynamic physical entities of the Ganges Basin, viz, Late Quaternary geomorphic, geological and climatic changes (e.g. palaeogeography, palaeoflood and fluvial response to climate, etc.), tectonic geomorphology (e.g. impact of active tectonics on the morphology of alluvial rivers and deltas, etc.), the links between fluvial processes and forms (e.g. variable fluvial regime and floodplain stratigraphy, channel shifting, fluvial geomorphology and arsenic contamination, gully erosion and sedimentation, etc.) and impact of anthropogenic activities on the rivers of LGB (e.g. embankment and bank erosion, dams and floods, groundwater contamination, etc.). The present volume, related to LGB, contains eleven significant chapters which are focused precisely on these above aspects using different geospatial techniques and quantitative analysis.
Balai Chandra Das, Sandipan Ghosh, Aznarul Islam
Chapter 2. Modes of Formation, Palaeogene to Early Quaternary Palaeogenesis and Geochronology of Laterites in Rajmahal Basalt Traps and Rarh Bengal of Lower Ganga Basin
Abstract
The present research work deals with the geomorphic evolution of in situ (primary) and ex situ (secondary) types of laterites (in West Bengal, eastern part of India) which are found as distinct badland terrain and litho-stratigraphic unit, developed in between the eastern fringe of Chotanagpur Plateau (Rajmahal Basalt Traps, Gondwana sedimentary and Archaean rocks) and the western fringe of Bengal Basin (Rarh Bengal). These laterites are analyzed here to address perennial unanswered questions about their genesis. What are the different modes of lateritization to classify laterites? What types of climates produce laterites? When and where were the particular palaeoclimates that formed laterites? What can laterites tell us about palaeoenvironment, palaeogeomorphology and other global events of the past? The field studies, detailed profile analysis of lithofacies, geochemical analysis, characterization of various ferricretes, fossil records and OSL dating have emphasized on the primary and secondary origin of laterites in West Bengal. The primary laterites (Palaeogene to Neogene) are genetically related to parent rocks, viz., Rajmahal basalt and Gondwana sandstones, but the secondary laterites are re-cemented ferruginous materials of fluvial fan-deltaic depositions which are related to Early to Late Quaternary tectono-climatic evolution of north-western Bengal Basin. Here the geochronology of few secondary laterite profiles is determined by OSL dating method in three sample sites, representing Late Quaternary palaeogenesis of laterites and ferruginized sediments (150–35 ka), i.e. Late Pleistocene. The analysis of in situ and ex situ laterites signifies drifting of Indian plate through ideal tropics from Palaeogene to Early–Late Quaternary and widespread occurrence of basal chemical weathering under strong, optimum and seasonal tropical wet–dry climate than prevail today in this part of West Bengal. The litho-stratigraphic ferruginous unit of Rarh Bengal (formerly the palaeovalleys of ferruginous depositions) was developed as an inverted relief due to prolong gully erosion and neo-tectonic uplift in between the Chotanagpur Foot-hill Fault and Medinipur–Farraka Fault.
Sandipan Ghosh, Sanat Kumar Guchhait
Chapter 3. Microstructural Evidence of Palaeo-Coastal Landform from Westernmost Fringe of Lower Ganga–Brahmaputra Delta
Abstract
The largest delta of the world, i.e. Ganga–Brahmaputra (G-B) delta has been characterized by ample evidences of regional morphogenetic variations. The westernmost fringe of this G-B delta has long been influenced by both Chottonagpur upland as well as recent alluvium plain between the Cretaceous to early Quaternary period. Successively, the undulating Rarh topography that separates these two morphogenic units has been evolved as one of the relict terrains having the dominancy of ferrallitic soils. In this area, most of the sedimentary formations and pedogenesis processes have been performed during post-Pleistocene epoch. Here, all the features of this residual topography directed through hydro-morphogenetic origins had been performed over the remnant ocean basin, which are also treated as a product of Palaeo-marine deposition. Alterations as well as modifications of the ferrallitic–lateritic micro-features are also continuing through the changes of various hydro-meteorological components. The present chapter concentrates on the studies of deposited microstructure features in one of the lateritic pockets of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. Few soil samples from Palaeo-coastal tracks in the gully dominated badland topography have been collected and the thin sectioning has been done for the assessment of prevailed process of Palaeo-coast development and its associated events. The snaps of the microscopic view along with digital colour analysis of samples depict the evidences of cross-bedding, to ripple marks and shoreline retreat mechanism in the study area.
Sk. Mafizul Haque, Subhendu Ghosh
Chapter 4. Influence of Faulting on the Extra-Channel Geomorphology of the Ajay-Damodar Interfluve in Lower Ganga Basin
Abstract
The response of extra-channel geomorphology of an alluvial river system to the quaternary faulting has been presented here with remote sensing data and field investigation. In corresponding to the in-stream deformation, extra-stream area is also modified with extended swampy floodplain, unpaired terraces, large alluvial fans, and palaeochannels. Floodplain becomes waterlogged or swampy especially downstream section across the stream fault line. Strike-slip nature of fault helps to shift channel path and developed series of palaeochannels over the neotectonic time frame. Allocation of fault line along the channel makes stream straight, narrow and incised, which helps to generate favourable condition for development of alluvial fan.
Suvendu Roy
Chapter 5. Geophysical Control on the Channel Pattern Adjustment in the Kunur River Basin of Western Part of Lower Ganga Basin
Abstract
Surface gravity anomaly is important to know the underlying rock density and basement structure since they are playing dominant role in the channel pattern adjustment. Over the Western Bengal Basin (WBB), EW-tending and NS-tending garbens are actively controlled the gravity anomaly and adjacent variation in basement structure and lithology. The streamlines of Kunur River Basin (KRB) and rivers in surrounding are sharply controlled by the variation in underlying rock density, alignment of the lineaments and subsurface faults. Medinipur–Farakka Fault (MFF) and Garhmayna–Khandaghosh Fault (GKF) lines make prominent deformation in longitudinal profile, planform index, channel geometry and other fluvial forms of Kunur River. High Transverse Topographic Symmetry Factor (TTSF) values (>0.40) around the fault lines and high Drainage Basin Asymmetry (AF-index) values (64.40) also positively reveal the neotectonic sensitivity over the basin.
Suvendu Roy, Subhankar Bera
Chapter 6. Imprints of Neo-tectonism in the Evolutionary Record Along the Course of Khari River in Damodar Fan Delta of Lower Ganga Basin
Abstract
Neo-tectonism affected the evolution of landscape across the earth since post-Miocene. The Khari river in Lower Damodar fan delta in West Bengal similarly portrayed the imprints of neo-tectonism in the forms of rapidly changing meander geometry, deformation in long profiles, unpaired terraces, soft sediment structures (fluid escape structure and convolute), etc. The study of meander geometry considering 142 loops (upper—92, middle—38 and lower—12) for the years 1972 (Survey of India topo-sheet) and 2017 (Google Earth images) portrayed rapidity in channel evolution in the middle and the lower stretches of the river compared to its upper counterpart as shown by the changing sinuosity index during 1972 and 2017 (upper: 0.1, middle: −0.4 and lower: −0.42), radius–wavelength ratio (upper: 0.01, middle: −0.06 and lower: −0.04), meander shape index  (upper: −0.05, middle: −0.09 and lower: −0.01), and meander form index (upper: −0.02, middle: −0.17 and lower: −0.13). We found this kind of meander behaviour to be correlated with the negative Bouguer anomaly (−45 to −30 m Gal) in the middle reach. Similarly, based on SRTM DEM (30 m), we detected a break in the long profile at the middle reach underlain by a sub-surface fault. In addition, we observed unpaired terraces in the middle reach. Besides, our extensive field survey guided us to identify long continued fluid escape structure and convolute along the banks of the river and a typical sedimentary facies which proved to be tectonically controlled.
Suman Deb Barman, Aznarul Islam, Balai Chandra Das, Sunipa Mandal, Subodh Chandra Pal
Chapter 7. Historical Evidences in the Identification of Palaeochannels of Damodar River in Western Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta
Abstract
To understand palaeo-climatic conditions and also tectonic activities of the past, it is necessary to identify the probable ancient tracks of a river. Among many approaches, at the primary level, the written evidences like old literatures may be used as basic tools for palaeochannel identification and mapping. India being rich in religious texts and literatures, offers a vast scope for the study of historical geography as well as palaeo-geography. Keeping in view the above concept, we have tried to identify and mapping the palaeochannels of Damodar fan delta of West Bengal with the help of medieval Mangal-kavya. In the poems of Ketakadasa Kshemananda’s Manasamangal-kavya of seventeenth century, Damodar River took an important place and it is the main cause of our selection of it for our present study. In Manasamangal-kavya, many settlements have been mentioned which helps to identify the locations of palaeochannels. Result shows that below Barddhaman (West Bengal), the Damodar River or its deltaic distributaries was flowing east to meet the Bhagirathi River during seventeenth century. We also get positive result when we tried to calibrate the information with other old maps.
Prasanta Kumar Ghosh, Narayan Chandra Jana
Chapter 8. Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Understanding Channel Confluence Morphology of Barakar River in Western Most Fringe of Lower Ganga Basin
Abstract
The channel confluences are the sensitive junctions that face significant hydraulic and morphological changes within the river system. Five major confluences of the Barakar River have been considered for the geomorphic investigation. The various data products, i.e. Topographical maps (1955), IRS LISS III Satellite Images (2011), Digital Elevation Data (ASTER DEM) (2011), and the Google Earth Map (2009–2015) have been used in this study. The study concerns the morphology of the confluences and the impacts of confluence angle, tributary length, tributary basin area and lithological controls on the confluences especially in the Quaternary period. There is no definite cause–effect relationship of confluence angle to scour depth and w/d ratio but has a positive relationship between w/d ratio of the post-confluence stream and the area of the tributary basin. The studied confluences are significantly controlled by the lithological influences and it almost defies other effective factors i.e. confluence angle, tributary length, etc.
Sumantra Sarathi Biswas, Raghunath Pal, Padmini Pani
Chapter 9. Morphological Aspects of the Bakreshwar River Corridor in Western Fringe of Lower Ganga Basin
Abstract
The Bakreshwar River flows across south-central Birbhum District in West Bengal from west to east. Along its course, it traverses through varying lithological and physiographic units that influence and alter the morphological character of the river channel‚ its floodplain aspects as well as the human occupancy and use of adjacent riparian tracts. This study uses computed hydraulic parameters of the river along with planform channel images and land use maps to demarcate the river corridor. Within this demarcated river corridor, several terrain and channel attributes are investigated and their interlinkages are highlighted. Stream reach classification after the Rosgen method is done to demarcate morphologically distinct channel stretches and identify those of a similar character.
Debika Banerji, Priyank Pravin Patel
Chapter 10. Assessing Influence of Erosion and Accretion on Landscape Diversity in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, Lower Ganga Basin: A Geospatial Approach
Abstract
Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is located in world’s largest sediment depocenter of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) deltaic coast of India. Unprecedented increase in the frequency of tropical cyclone, sea level rising and changes in shoreline has dynamically and significantly increased the threat to the world’s largest mangrove habitation. Spatio-temporal variation of water level regimes is an important factor for estuarine and tidal-fluvial dynamics of deltaic islands in SBR. This article examines the land use/land cover dynamic and landscape diversity due to erosion and accretion processes in Sundarban deltaic region. Landsat MSS (1975), Landsat TM (1990, 2000) and Landsat 8 OLI (2015) were used for assessing land use land cover change, landscape metric, shoreline changes, and tidal-fluvial dynamics in the study area. Land use/land cover maps were prepared using supervised classification scheme and maximum likelihood method. Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) extension tool of Arc GIS was used to assess the shoreline change rate. On the basis of land use/land cover map, Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI) was estimated to understand the landscape fragmentation due to tidal-fluvial dynamics and estuarine processes within the biosphere region. The study revealed that the land use/land cover of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve has been diversely changed during the study period. Northern part of the SBR experienced maximum diversity of landscape. The findings revealed that there has been dramatic increase in settlement, swamp, and water-logged area and a decrease in vegetation/plantation in the study area. A remarkable change was noticed in the area under water-logging in the upper part of the Biosphere Reserve. This change is attributed to river erosion and inclusion of sea water into the agricultural fields. The overall erosion rate in the study area has been 5.98 km2/year during 1975–2015. Marked variations were observed in erosion rate in different in different blocks and islands. Southern inhabited islands were more prone to erosion than the uninhabited islands. The outcome of this study may help in management and planning for estuarine dynamics, river bank erosion and accretion of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.
Mehebub Sahana, Haroon Sajjad
Chapter 11. An Inventory for Land Use Land Cover and Landform Identification from Satellite Standard FCC: A Study in the Active Ganga Delta
Abstract
Using the Namkhana region of West Bengal (21° 30′–21° 50′N, 88° 10′–88° 22′E; 670 km2) as a proxy for the Indian Sundarban, a standard False Colour Composite (FCC) generated from Resourcesat-2 LISS-3 data of 1st January 2014 is used for Ground Truth Verification (GTV) and preparing an inventory of land use, land cover and landform of the region. Photo and spectral characteristics of the land use and land cover types are recorded for eight classes: cropland, fallow, mangroves, orchards, clear water, turbid water, muds and sands. Similarly, photo characteristics of thirteen landform types were also brought out. These include: alluvial plain, channel bar, coastal dune, coastal bar, mangrove swamp, meander, mudflat, palaeochannel, sandy beach, sea, shore zone, swamp and tidal channel. The study should benefit similar works carried out in other areas of Sundarban.
Sunando Bandyopadhyay, Nabendu Sekhar Kar
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Quaternary Geomorphology in India
Editors
Dr. Balai Chandra Das
Sandipan Ghosh
Dr. Aznarul Islam
Copyright Year
2019
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-90427-6
Print ISBN
978-3-319-90426-9
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90427-6