JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA Vol.61, Jan. 2003, pp.

75-89

Reinterpretation of Stratigraphy and Structure of Sausar Group in Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri Area, Maharashtra, Central India
ANUPAM CHATTOPADHYAY, A. S. KHAN, A. K. HUIN and B. K. BANDYOPADHYAY*
Geological Survey of India, Seminary Hills, Nagpur 440 006, India *Corresponding Author; Email: gsigeoi@nagpur.dot.net.in Abstract: Geological mapping and structural analysis of the manganese-bearing Sausar Group and associated rocks in Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, Maharashtra, have led to reinterpretation of stratigraphy and structure. A local stratigraphic succession for the Sausar supracrustal rocks, giving due weightage to lithologic criteria and structural considerations, has been proposed which is different from the existing divergent lithostratigraphic successions suggested by different workers at different times. The lithologic unit interpreted as a conglomerate horizon by some earlier workers, near the contact of the granite gneiss and the Sausar Group in Mansar-Kandri area, has been reinterpreted to be of tectonic origin. Sausar Group preserves evidence of four generations of folding (F1 to F4). The map pattern is controlled by F2 and F4 whereas F1 and F3 have developed only on hand specimen to outcrop scale. Ramtek synform, the major structural feature in the area, is a polyharmonic, second-generation fold with shallow southeasterly plunge and a steep to subvertical, WNW-ESE striking axial plane. It is not a large scale non-plane, non-cylindrical superposed fold (F2 on F1), as interpreted earlier. Regional metamorphism of pelitic-psammopelitic rocks possibly reached amphibolite facies with peak metamorphic condition post-dating D1 deformation. Keywords: Sausar Group, Structure, Stratigraphy, Folding, Metamorphism, Maharashtra, Central India.

INTRODUCTION

The Sausar Fold Belt (SSFB) is an important Mesoproterozoic (Sarkar et al. 1986; Lippolt and Hautman, 1994) mobile belt in the central part of Indian Peninsular shield. It forms an arcuate belt covering an area of over 7000 sq. km. in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with a prominent southward convexity (Fig.1a). SSFB comprises two major litho-tectonic ensembles viz. Tirodi Biotite Gneiss and migmatite (TBG), and metasedimentary Sausar Group (SSG) to which TBG forms the basement (Narayanaswami et al. 1963; Pal and Bhowmik, 1998; Khan et al. 1998). SSG hosts the largest and richest manganese ore deposits of India, contained in mica schist (Mansar Formation) and in calcitic marble (Lohangi Formation). The present study area occurs in the southern part of the central portion of SSFB and forms part of the type area of manganese-bearing schistose rocks of Sausar Group. The famous Kandri-Mansar group of mines occurs in the western part of the study area. Towards the east, the dominant rock type is quartzite, forming high hills and ridges around Ramtek. The manganese-bearing Precambrian rocks of RamtekMansar-Kandri area have been studied for a long time. The

first systematic study of the area was carried out by Geological Survey of India under the leadership of Lewis Fermor and a stratigraphic succession was proposed, in line with the generalised stratigraphy of SSFB (Fermor, 1922; Pascoe, 1927; West, 1936). These workers designated the schistose rocks and gondite/manganese ore as Mansar Stage, quartzites as Chorbaoli Stage and dolomitic marble as Bichua Stage, on the basis of strict lithologic criteria. Basu and Sarkar (1966) proposed a local stratigraphy for Mahuli-Ramtek area, the implication of which is discussed in a later section. Later, Chakravarty (1973) undertook a detailed study of the Mansar-Kandri area, and mapped the Sausar rocks with special reference to the geology of manganese ore (Fig. 1b). Mohanty (1988) and Mohanty et al. (2000) have also presented some new ideas on the stratigraphy and structure of the manganese-bearing Precambrian rocks of this area, based on field observations. However, these interpretations by different workers often contradict each other when viewed in totality and leave many problems on stratigraphic and structural interpretation unresolved, the details of which are discussed in the respective sections. It has been already recognised (Basu, 1965) that in a polydeformed and high-grade

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(a)

(b)

Fig.1. (a) Generalised geological map of Sausar fold belt (after Narayanaswami et al. 1963). Inset: location of the study area in India. (b) Geological map of Ramtek-Mansar area by Chakravarty (1973).

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metamorphosed Precambrian terrain like SSFB, no stratigraphic succession can be constructed without properly deciphering the structural complexity. In this connection, the local stratigraphic succession of Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, based on proper interpretation of the structural pattern, may be very important, as the area is occupied by metapelitic schist and quartzite, where deformation pattern of Sausar Group is better understood. The present paper is an account of the reinterpretation of stratigraphic and structural aspects of the Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, based on large-scale (1: 25,000) mapping and structural studies carried out by the present authors in parts of SSFB.
GEOLOGICAL SETUP

The study area exposes the pelitic schists of Sausar Group with stratified manganese ore and gondite horizons in Mansar-Kandri area. Thin bands of quartzite and dolomitic marble occur interlayered with the mica schists. A grey to pink coloured, foliated granitoid occurs along the southern fringe of the Mansar mine and continues along the southern slope of Mansar ridge to the west of Kandri Mines, showing a cross-cutting relationship with the metasedimentary units in the map (Fig.2). Towards east, near Ramtek, the dominant rock type is massive to flaggy quartzite with interbands of quartz-muscovite-staurolite schist, defining a map-scale synformal structure with low southeasterly plunge (Fig.3). The flat terrain south of Ramtek-Mansar road is mostly soil covered with isolated exposures of mica schist or granite. The major structural grain of the study area is E-W and the map pattern is controlled by large scale folds in pelite-psammopelitequartzite units. Following is a brief description of the major rock types found in the area. Biotite Gneiss: Very few exposures of typical biotite gneiss (Tirodi Biotite Gneiss or TBG) occur in the mapped area. One such isolated exposure is found southwest of Parsoda (Fig. 2). The rock is compact and shows very well developed gneissic banding defined by alternate layers of mafic (biotite epidote) and felsic (quartz-plagiocalsemicrocline) minerals. Occasionally, protomylonitic foliation, defined by grain size diminution of quartz and biotite by recrystallisation, is observed . In the northern part of Sausar belt, around Deolapar (Fig.1a), the rock contains quartzfibrolite knots or tabloids (West, 1931). West (1931) interpreted the development of sillimanite (fibrolite) in this rock as a result of metamorphism under decreasing temperature. Recent studies however showed that fibrolite developed as a result of base-leaching of feldspar grains and fibrolite later transformed to coarse sillimanite blades
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with increasing temperature (Pal and Bhowmik, 1998). Quartz-mica schist: Quartz-muscovite schist is associated with manganese ore/ gondite horizons and is, therefore, included in Mansar Formation of SSG. The rock is strongly schistose and silvery white in hand specimen due to great abundance of muscovite. Good exposure of this rock is found in the road cutting on NH-7 north of Mansar and in the working pits of Mansar mine, northeast of Mansar. Petrographically, the rock is composed of quartz, muscovite (biotite) with minor opaques and K-feldspar. Quartz and mica define the strong schistosity. Another variety of schist is quartz-muscovite-fibrolite (sillimanite) schist, often structurally underlying the manganese ore horizon e.g. northwest of Mansar village, and hence considered as part of Mansar Formation. This rock contains quartz, muscovite, biotite and fibrolite (sillimanite). Fibrolite generally occurs as quartz-fibrolite tabloids and is restricted within the quartz-mica rich bands (Q-M domains). These tabloids are morphologically similar to those described above. Pal and Bhowmik (1998) reported transformation of fibrolite to sillimanite but argued that presence of sillimanite in pelitic schists does not indicate sillimanite zone metamorphism. A third variety of quartz-mica schist, interbanded with the quartzite and structurally overlying the manganese bearing schists, occurs in the core of Ramtek synform (Fig.2). This mica schist unit is interpreted as part of Chorbaoli Formation (Table 1), and is composed of quartz, muscovite, biotite, garnet and staurolite. Garnet and staurolite show fine trails of inclusion of quartz and chlorite, study of which are helpful in correlation of deformation and metamorphism. Quartzite: Near-continuous exposures of metamorphosed micaceous and gritty quartzite are found near Ramtek (Fig 2), along with interbanded quartz-mica-garnetstaurolite schist described earlier. In hand specimen, the quartzite is yellow to buff coloured, massive to well-foliated and fine to medium grained. It is composed of quartz, muscovite, biotite and opaques, in the order of abundance. Two distinctly different fabrics are observed in the rock a coarse-grained quartz-muscovite fabric, cut across by a fine-grained, more penetrative quartz-mica fabric. Details of these fabrics are discussed later. At some places e.g. near Khindsi tank, the quartzite shows a protomylonitic fabric with typical core-and-mantle structure of quartz observed in thin section, and a strong lineation defined by stretched grains of quartz. This unit has been shown to belong to the Chorbaoli Formation of SSG (West, 1936). Dolomitic marble: Of the two types of dolomitic marble found in Sausar fold belt (West 1931), only the pure white variety occurs in the study area, intercalated with manganesebearing mica schists of Mansar Formation. The rock is white

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Fig.2. Geological map of Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, Nagpur District, Maharashtra (the present study area).

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in colour with granular texture in hand specimen and shows typical crocodile skin weathering features. It is composed mainly of dolomite, with subordinate diopside, tremolite and minor epidote. Granite: A pink-coloured, foliated granitoid occurs in the south of Mansar mine. Thick (2-3 cm) biotite rich bands are found in the pink granite at places, imparting to it, a gneissic character. Biotite occasionally defines a schistose fabric in the granite, subparallel to the gneissic bands. Both these foliations in granite are nearly parallel to the schistosity observed in the adjacent mica schists of Sausar Group. At a few places e.g. near the weekly market place of Mansar village, the granite is dark grey coloured due to high biotite content. The granite is composed of quartz, K-feldspar (perthitic), biotite, muscovite and minor plagioclase. Foliated granite north of Kandri mine shows fragments of manganese ore and/or magnetite xenocrysts. Occasionally, the granite contains large enclaves of basement rocks (TBG) and dolomitic marble (of SSG) as observed near Parsoda and Waitola respectively, indicating its late intrusive character.
PROBLEMS OF STRATIGRAPHY

Stratigraphic succession of Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area has been a matter of debate. Stratigraphic nomenclature on the basis of strict lithologic criteria has led Fermor (1922) and West (1936) to put all quartzite units under Chorbaoli Stage and dolomitic marble units under Bichua Stage (Table 1). Later, Chakravarty (1973) partly upheld this view for the present study area. Basu (1965), on the other hand, strongly criticised the stratigraphic nomenclature of Fermor (1922) and West (1936) as they apparently assumed the quartzite and dolomitic marble units as regionally persistent lithotopes, without any significant lateral variation. According to Basu (1965), this is unlikely in a Precambrian terrain like SSFB. Basu and Sarkar (1966) proposed a local stratigraphic succession of SSG from Mahuli-Ramtek area which is strikingly different from the earlier ones (West, 1936) (Table 1). They also mapped a number of anticlines and synclines in the area, prominent among them being the Mahuli-Ramtek syncline. According to them, the manganese-bearing rocks of Kandri-Mansar area define a horseshoe-shaped synclinal fold closure near Kandri mine, with a shallow to moderate plunge towards east and an E-W trending axial trace. As per their map, two faults have affected these rocks, displacing the dolomitic marble units and disrupting the continuity of the ore horizon east of Kandri. Towards east, quartzite-mica schist of Ramtek hill defines a map-scale, easterly plunging syncline with WNW-ESE trending axial trace. All these large-scale folds
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were interpreted as first generation folds (F1) of Sausar orogeny. On the basis of structural mapping, Basu and Sarkar (1966) placed the quartzite of Ramtek Group (Table 1) at the top of the stratigraphic column and proposed repeated occurrence of dolomite units at different levels within the mica schist and both above and below the manganese ore horizon. Moreover, they argued that, the mica schist dolomite - quartzite package exposed in the Kandri synform are structurally overlain by quartzite-mica schist units of Ramtek synform, as the Ramtek synform occurs along the same axial trace as the Kandri synform and towards the general plunge direction (east) of the large scale fold. Based on his detailed mapping of the Kandri-Mansar area (Fig. 1b), Chakravarty (1973) included the manganesebearing quartz-mica (sillimanite) schists under Mansar Formation and advocated that the repeated occurrence of dolomite (Bichua Formation) at different levels is due to tight folding. On the basis of structural mapping and stratigraphic correlation in the present study area as well as in the adjacent parts of Sausar fold belt, we uphold the view of Basu and Sarkar (1966) that quartzite and garnet-staurolite-mica schist of Ramtek area constitute the topmost part of the local stratigraphic succession. However, we correlate this quartzite and interbanded garnet-staurolite-quartz-mica schist to Chorbaoli Formation as suggested earlier by West (1936). This is because the micaceous/gritty quartzite units along with the interbanded garnetiferous mica schists constitute a mappable lithological unit which structurally overlie the manganese bearing schistose rocks of Mansar Formation, over a wide area of the Sausar fold belt. The dolomitic marble, quartzite and pelitic and psammopelitic schists with manganese ore and gondite layers are all clubbed under the Mansar Formation (Table 1). Although we prefer to avoid stratigraphic nomenclature on the basis of strict lithological criteria, occurrence of manganese/gondite horizons in schistose rock is accepted as a key criterion for identifying Mansar Formation. The manganese horizons are thus considered as marker bands representing time-restricted metallogenic events either in association with carbonates (Lohangi Formation) or with schistose rocks (Mansar Formation) (cf. Narayanaswami et al. 1963). We also advocate that the thin dolomitic marble units within manganese-bearing mica schists represent original carbonate intercalations within a predominantly pelitic sedimentary facies. Lateral discontinuity of dolomitic marble bands is generally due to sedimentary pinching. Repetition of dolomitic marble by folding, as suggested by Chakravarty (1973, p.31-32) cannot explain the occurrence of older Chorbaoli Formation (quartzite-mica schist) over younger

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Fig.3. (a) Structural map of Ramtek synform; Insets: (b) contour diagram of poles to S0/ S1, and (c) contour diagram of L3 (axes of F3 folds).

REINTERPRETATION OF STRATIGRAPHY AND STRUCTURE OF SAUSAR GROUP, MAHARASHTRA Table 1. Stratigraphic succession of Sausar Group by different workers West (1936) Narayanaswami et al. (1963) Basu and Sarkar (1966)

81

Khan et al. (2000) and present authors Intrusives: Massive potassic granite, aplite, pegmatite and quartz vein. Foliated granite1, locally rich in biotite and/or fibrolite.

Ramtek Group: Quartzite etc. Sitapar Stage: Hornblende schist ( S E R I E S ) Bichua Stage: Pure and impure dolomitic marble, diopsidites etc. Junewani Stage: Muscovite biotite schist, autoclastic conglomerate. Chorbaoli (=Ramtek?) Stage: Quarzite and quartzmuscovite schist Bichua Formation: Dolomitic marble, calc silicate rocks etc. Junewani Formation: Muscovitebiotite schist; quartz-biotite granulite etc. Chorbaoli Formation: Quartzite quartz-schist, quartzmuscovite schist. Chorbaoli (Ramtek) Formation1: Garnet-staurolite-quartz-muscovite schist. Micaceous and/or cherty quartzite locally with garnet and/or magnetite Mansar Group: Muscovite schist with Mn ore and gondite Ghuksi Group: Dolomite, mica schist, quartzite etc. Mahuli Group: Dolomitic marble quartz muscovite gneiss, feldspathic gneiss etc. Lohangi Stage: Calcitic marble, Mn ore etc. Lohangi Formation: Lohangi Substage: Calcitic and dolomitic marble, often with Mn ore. Utekata Substage: Calc silicate rocks, calc granulite etc. Kadbikheda Substage: Quartzbiotite granulite etc. Sitasaongi Formation: Quartzmuscovite gneiss, conglomerate etc. TBG Tirodi Biotite Gneiss: Biotite gneiss, amphibolite etc.
1

Chargaon Group: Dolomite and quartzite Bichua Formation: Pure and impure dolomitic marble with minor red, yellow and grey chert.

G R O U P

Mansar Stage: Muscovitebiotite-sillimanite schist with Mn ore.

Mansar Formation: Muscovite schists etc. with Mn ore

Mansar Formation1: Biotite-fibrolitequartz-muscovite schist, dolomitic marble and quartzite with Mn ore and gondite.

S A U S A R

Kalapatha Group: Calc gneiss, pink marble Mn ore etc.

Lohangi Formation: Calc gneiss, calc silicate rocks and calcitic marble with or without Mn ore

Utekata Stage: Banded calc-granulites Kadbikheda Stage: Magnetite biotite granulite

Parseoni Group: Quartzite, Mn-ore and gondite

Tirodi Biotite Gneiss: Biotite gneiss1, migmatite, tonalite gneiss, cordierite gneiss, amphibolite etc.

Rock types observed in the Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area.

Bichua Formation (dolomitic marble) on regional scale (Fig.2). There is another major contradiction regarding the status of the granite gneiss, occurring south of Mansar mine. Chakravarty (1973) interpreted it as orthogneiss, intrusive into the Sausar metasediments. Unfortunately, his map of
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the northern Nagpur District (including Kandri-Mansar area) (Fig. 1b) does not show any outcrop of orthogneiss east of Mansar, although it is clearly described from this area in the adjoining text. (Chakravarty, 1973, p.30). That he (p.44) interpreted the orthogneiss as a late intrusive into Sausar rocks, is clear from his proposed lithosuccession of the

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Mansar mine area. The compiled map of Sausar Belt by Narayanaswami et al. (1963), however, clearly shows presence of orthogneiss (younger to Sausar Group) in Mansar-Kandri area (Fig.1a). Basu and Sarkar (1966) also interpreted this granite as part of intrusive Ghuksi Granite. Mohanty (1993), on the other hand, termed it as Tirodi Biotite Gneiss, which formed the basement to the Sausar Group. His conclusion was mainly based on the reported occurrence of conglomerate near the contact of mica schist and granite gneiss. This conglomerate horizon was later correlated to Sitasaongi Formation of Sausar Group (Mohanty et al. 2000). Regional structural mapping has led us to conclude that the biotite-granite is intrusive into Sausar Group, syntectonic with the Sausar orogeny. This is because the granite exhibits deformational fabrics (gneissic as well as schistose foliations) in Waitola area, which are similar to that in adjacent SSG and are identified as product of the Sausar deformation (D2). Occurrence of thin granite veins along the S1 schistosity in manganese-bearing mica schist (later crenulated by F2) suggest that the granite intrusion took place during first deformation (D1), as observed in Satak mine, just outside the present study area towards south (Khan et al. 2002). Subsequent strong deformations codeformed the granite and the associated supracrustal rocks, thereby developing a strong foliation and/or gneissic banding in the granite and a strong crenulation cleavage in the mica schists of the Sausar Group. The original discordant relation between granite and schists may have been partly modified during deformation. However, the discordance in the map scale is apparent in the area southeast of Waitola and also to the west of Kandri mine (Fig. 2). The conglomerate reported by Mohanty (1993), when revisited by the present authors at the locations mentioned by him, appeared to be an autoclastic breccia, produced by intense in situ brecciation of quartz veins and thin quartzite interbands within mica schist (Fig. 4). A similar observation has been recently made by Bopche and Siddiqi (2000). The metapelitic rock with thin interbands of psammites often produce boudins in the more competent units under intense deformation. Very commonly, such adjoining ripped-up boudins can be perfectly matched together to define the original competent interbands. Moreover, lengths of the boudins developed in these extremely flattened psammitic layers far exceed their cross-sectional dimensions. This indicates that they are part of a planar layer rather than individually transported pebbles/ fragments. Biotite gneiss (TBG) is rarely exposed in the study area, barring a single exposure south of Parsoda. This isolated outcrop of TBG is surrounded by discontinuous outcrops

of foliated granite (Fig. 2). Nearest basement (TBG) outcrop to this is near Lohdongri, about 5 km to the south. Occurrence of this small outcrop of TBG within granite may be explained as an enclave, as indicated already, although the contact relation between the TBG and the granite at this place is not clear because of lack of continuous exposure in a dominantly soil covered terrain. Excellent exposures of typical biotite gneiss, however, can be observed on NH-7 about 10 km north of Mansar. In our view, Tirodi Biotite Gneiss is a basket term and comprises different gneissic components viz. biotite gneiss, migmatite gneiss, tonalite gneiss and enclaves of older metasediments and metabasic igneous rocks, exposed in different parts of SSFB (see also Pal and Bhowmik, 1998). Typical biotite gneiss is mainly composed of plagioclase and biotite with minor amounts of opaques, garnet and occasionally fibrolite. The biotite-rich foliated granite found south of Mansar mine is rich in Kfeldspar, muscovite and biotite and is not lithologically similar to biotite gneiss (TBG), sensu stricto. On the basis of mapping carried out in the present study area and adjoining parts of SSFB, we propose a lithostratigraphic succession for the study area (Table 1). It is to be noted that the original stratigraphic names (cf. Narayanaswami et al. 1963) have been mostly retained. However, structural relations between different lithounits have been given more importance than strict lithologic criteria for local as well as regional correlation. This is because, our observations in different parts of SSFB suggest that the Sausar Group has been affected by intense thrusting, recumbent/reclined folding (only in outcrop scale) and tectonic slicing at a very early stage (D1 deformation), leading to tectonic interleaving of basement and supracrustal units (Chattopadhyay et al. 2001). Subsequent folding has complicated the structural pattern even more. This has led us to conclude that a generalised stratigraphy based on lithologic criteria alone, cannot hold good for the Sausar fold belt.
STRUCTURE

Based on structural studies in Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, four generations of structures have been identified. Structures belonging to all the four generations are preserved in the quartzite-mica schist package of Ramtek area. We shall, therefore, take Ramtek as a type area for structural description. Towards west, in Mansar-Kandri area, at least three generations of structures are preserved in the manganese-bearing mica schist-quartzite-dolomite package. The detailed structural map of Ramtek Synform with the equal area plots has also been furnished (Fig. 3).
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Fig.4. Autoclastic breccia produced by brittle deformation, fracturing and boudinage of thin quartzite bands within mica schist. Lens cap diameter 55 mm. Fig.5. Isoclinal F1 fold in quartzite, northwest of Ramtek. Lens cap diameter 55 mm. Fig.6.(a) Inclusion trail (Si = S1) of quartz in garnet porphyroblasts. External schistosity (Se = S2) swerves around garnet. S1 and S2 are discordant; quartz-mica schist from Kawadak, 2 km northwest of Ramtek. Scale bar: 0.5 mm. Grt: Garnet. Section perpendicular to S2 and L2. (b) Weakly folded inclusion trail (S1) of quartz within garnet at the crest of a F2 microfold, quartz-mica schist north of Ramtek. Scale bar: 0.5 mm. Thin section perpendicular to schistosity (S2) and crenulation axis (F2).

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Fig.7. Core-and mantle texture in quartzite protomylonite, south of Khindsi lake. Scale bar: 0.5 mm. Q: quartz. Thin section perpendicular to the mylonitic foliation (S1) and parallel to the stretching lineation (L1). Fig.8. Outcrop-scale F2 fold in quartzite, southern limb of Ramtek synform. Hammer length = 24 cm. Fig.9. Folded L2 lineations on a F3 fold hinge, south of Ambala. Pen length = 13 cm. Fig.10. Staurolite grain poikiloblastically enclosed by garnet. A crudely defined trail of quartz inclusions (S1) is observed within garnet as well as staurolite; mica schist east of Ambala tank. Scale bar: 0.5 mm. Grt: Garnet, Stau: Staurolite, partially crossed nicol. Section perpendicular to S2/L2.

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Structures of First Generation

southeasterly as observed on the southern limb of Ramtek synform, but local variations in the attitudes are common.
Structures of Second Generation

These include first generation folds (F1) and associated axial planar cleavage (S1) and lineations (L1). F1 folds in Ramtek area are generally restricted to hand specimen and outcrop scale. They are tight to isoclinal in nature (Fig.5) with spatially variable attitude, probably due to reorientation by large scale later folding. Thus, generally recumbentreclined F1 folds are found in the hinge zone of large scale F2 fold in Ramtek area while gently to steeply inclined F1 folds occur in the F2 limbs. No large-scale F1 closure could be mapped in the area. It is a general observation by the present authors from different parts of SSFB that first folding (F1) has taken place only on mesoscopic scale, without causing regional scale stratigraphic inversion in the Sausar Group. The stratigraphic succession of SSG is, however, disturbed by intense tectonic slicing caused by large scale imbricate thrusting associated with D1 deformation (Khan et al. 2002). There is a strong axial planar cleavage (S1) associated with F1. This occurs in the form of strong schistosity in quartz-mica schist and as a weak quartz-mica fabric in micaceous quartzite. Regionally, S1 strikes WNWESE and dips either northerly or southerly on the limbs of the large-scale later folds. However, local variations in the attitude of S1 are very common, due to variable styles of F1 folding. Fine quartz-chlorite inclusion trails trapped within garnet porphyroblasts in micaceous quartzite and quartz-mica schist of Ramtek area represent S 1 in microscopic scale (Fig. 6a,b). In mica schist of MansarKandri area, S1 can be distinguished in the microlithons of the strongly differentiated crenulation cleavage (S2) and also at the hinges of the second generation folds. Another first generation planar structure is the protomylonitic foliation in quartzite, found near Khindsi lake and at the hinge of the large scale F2 fold near Ram temple. Strong stretching of quartz grains indicating crystal-plastic deformation of quartz and cataclastic fracturing of feldspar grains are observed in this rock. Partial recovery-recrystallisation of quartz has given rise to core-and-mantle texture, where large strained grains of quartz are surrounded by smaller recrystallised, strain-free quartz grains (Fig. 7). This protomylonite foliation is subparallel to the S1 cleavage and both of them are parallel to bedding (S0) in quartzite at many places. It appears that mylonitisation in quartzite has taken place in local scale, due to strong flattening during F1 folding. First generation linear structures (L1) occur mainly in the form of hingelines of small-scale F1 folds, stretching lineation defined by stretched grains of quartz on the mylonite plane and sometimes as a mineral lineation defined by alignment of fibrolite / sillimanite. All these lineations generally plunge
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Second generation folds (F2) occur both on mesoscopic (outcrop) scale (Fig. 8) and on large scale. Folding of bedding (S0), cleavage/schistosity (S1) and protomylonitic foliation define a map-scale synformal F2 fold closure in the western part of Ramtek hill. Axis of this large scale fold has shallow plunge (20 towards 120) (Fig. 3b). Outcrops of incongruous, higher order F2 folds in the northern limb of Ramtek synform show S-type asymmetry and those on the southern limb show Z-type asymmetry, consistent with the geometry of the large-scale fold. S- and Z-type asymmetry are also observed on a larger scale from the map pattern of the quartzite band defining the large-scale F2 fold (Fig. 3a). The map scale F2 fold at Ramtek is thus polyharmonic in style. The map scale and outcrop scale F2 folds are associated with a strong, penetrative axial planar crenulation cleavage (S2) that strikes WNW-ESE and dips steeply towards north (e.g. 100/ 78 N), although dip reversal due to fanning is observed. S2 is defined by dimensional parallelism of fine quartz and muscovite grains. S2 has almost totally transposed S1 at most of the places. In garnetiferous micaceous quartzite northwest of Ramtek, S1 is only preserved as fine quartz-chlorite (biotite) inclusion trails (Si) within garnet porphyroblasts. S2 cleavage fabric often swerves round the garnet porphyroblasts (Fig. 6a). The large-scale synformal fold closure in mica schistdolomite-quartzite sequence near Kandri mine is a second generation (F2) fold, similar to the Ramtek fold, with low ESE-plunging (20 towards 100) fold axis (Fig. 2). Small, disharmonic F2 folds also occur as crenulations on S1 in mica schist and as outcrop scale folds in quartzite and dolomitic marble. All these folds have a general shallow southeasterly plunge. The dominant schistosity in mica schist (S2) is a crenulation cleavage. However S1 can be identified as relics in the microlithons of this differentiated S2 cleavage. Second generation lineation (L 2 ) is defined by intersection of S0 / S1 and S2 planes, which is observed in many parts of the Ramtek synform, especially on the limbs of the F2 folds. Intersection of S1 and S2 in mica schist also defines a weak L2 lineation in Mansar-Kandri area. Hingelines of F 2 crenulations often define a pucker lineation in mica schist. L2 lineations are generally parallel to F2 axes and plunge southeasterly (20 - 25 towards 100) (Fig. 3b).
Structures of Third Generation

The strong intersection lineation (L2) produced by

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intersection of S2 and S0 // S1 associated with the Ramtek synform is folded by a set of hand specimen to outcrop scale folds, observed south of Ambala (Fig.9) and also west of Nagarjun temple. These folds are distinguished from the small-scale F2 folds by the fact that L2 lineations observed in the field are parallel to the F2 fold axes whereas they are bent/folded over the F3 fold hinges. These are therefore interpreted as F3 folds. Axes of the F3 folds trend E-W and plunge easterly (12 100) (Fig. 3c) and make an acute angle with the general trend of the F2 fold axes, on both limbs of the Ramtek synfom. Strong axial planar metamorphic fabric is not observed with F3 folds in this area. This is also in contrast to the strong S2 cleavage necessarily associated with F2. If the F3 folds are unrolled, the folded L2 lineation defines almost a straight line. This implies that F3 folding was dominantly flexural folding without significant flattening. Third generation lineation occurs only in the form of F3 fold mullions.
Structures of Fourth Generation

weakly kinked due to gravity induced sagging under increased vertical load of the thickened crust. Similar structures caused by inhomogeneous gravity-induced flow within a thickened crust has been observed and explained in recent experimental analyses (Chattopadhyay and Mandal, in press).
Map Pattern of the Ramtek Area

Fourth generation structures occur in the form of broad warps with north-south striking subvertical axial plane. Large scale warping on N-S axial plane is evident from the map pattern of Ramtek synform (Fig. 2). Smaller warps are also observed at a few places in Ramtek area. There is no marked axial planar fabric with the F4 folds in the present study area. However, the authors have observed close spaced fractures associated with F4 in other parts of SSFB. Although the effect of broad F4 warps can not be directly observed on F3, their relative chronology can be worked out from the overall warped pattern of the F2 limbs bearing the F3 folds.
Late Recumbent Folds

In the quartz-mica schist occurring in the core of Ramtek synform near Ambala tank, a set of weak kink-type folds with subhorizontal axial planes and shallow ESE plunging axes, have developed on steeply dipping S2 schistosity (cf. Naha and Halyburton, 1974). These folds certainly postdate F2 folding, but their geometry and structural attitude do not match with either F3 or F4 folds. A similar type of fold is observed in dolomitic marble south of Kandri mine. The present authors have recently observed this type of fold in mica schist in Nakadongri area in the north Bhandara District also. Exact timing of this folding vis-a-vis F3 and F4 is yet to be worked out due to lack of suitable exposures exhibiting unambiguous overprinting relationship. These weakly developed recumbent kinks, which can never be correlated with the early recumbent folds of Sausar (F1), may have developed in the late phase of Sausar orogeny when subvertical planar structures (schistosity, bedding etc.) got

Mohanty (1988) interpreted that the quartzite-mica schist units around Ramtek preserve evidences of three generations of superposed folding. The map-scale synformal closure on Ramtek hill was identified by him as a second generation fold (F2) with shallow easterly to southeasterly plunge. On the basis of structural mapping of the Ramtek area, Mohanty (1988) interpreted that this large scale F2 fold actually refolded an earlier large scale fold (F 1). Large scale superposition of F2 on F1 thus produced boomerang-shaped outcrop pattern (Fig.2, Mohanty, 1988). In our opinion, Mohantys (1988) interpretation that Ramtek synform is a large-scale non-plane, non-cylindrical superposed fold structure is untenable because of the following reasons: (1) The southern limb of Ramtek synform does not terminate south of Ambala, as shown by Mohanty (1988). It rather continues farther southeast, up to Nawargaon, where a large-scale antiformal F2 closure is observed (Fig. 3a). Thus the southern quartzite band can not be joined with the northern limb, as shown in his map. (2) Map-scale F1 closures have been shown and described by Mohanty (1988) from the eastern tip of the southern ridge. However, outcrop scale folds at this location are all F2 folds as they have developed not only on bedding but also on a cleavage and a protomylonite fabric (S1 planes). (3) The folded quartzite unit found in the core of Ramtek synform east of Ambala tank, is a stratigraphically different quartzite band occurring above the main quartzite unit, and is cofolded with it. The quartzite units are separated by garnet-staurolite-quartzmuscovite schist. The upper and lower quartzite units cannot therefore be considered as repetition due to tight F1 folding, as implied in Mohantys (1988) map. (4) A large F1 closure has been shown in the northern limb, near Nagarjun temple. There is however a large S-shaped F2 fold in this area and the quartzite band continues after this fold eastward for several kilometres (Fig. 3a). This is also clearly seen in the aerial photographs of the area (on 1:25,000 scale). Based on the above evidences, collected through regional mapping as well as study of aerial photographs, we
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reinterpret the map scale synformal fold near Ramtek, as a polyharmonic, second generation (F2) fold. Map pattern in the study area (Figs. 2,3) is generally defined by the large scale F2 folds. Map scale F4 warps also control the map pattern in Ramtek area. F1 and F3 folds developed only in outcrop and hand specimen scale and are not directly identifiable from the map pattern.
METAMORPHISM VIS-A-VIS DEFORMATION

Regional dynamothermal metamorphism in SSFB spatially varies from low to high grade. Earlier workers (Narayanaswami et al. 1963) pointed out that there is a gradual increase in metamorphic grade from the eastern (chlorite-biotite zone) through central (kyanite-staurolite zone) to western part (sillimanite zone) of SSFB. It was also suggested that high grade metamorphism has led to partial melting of Sausar metasediments which generated the gneiss-migmatite rocks (TBG) (Phadke, 1990). Pal and Bhowmik (1998), on the other hand, categorically discounted the possibility of partial melting of Sausar Group. They also envisaged that grade of metamorphism in SSFB increases both from east to west and from south to north. According to them, low grade metamorphism (upto greenschsit facies / garnet-zone) is observed in the southern (Mansar-Kandri area) and eastern part (Ukwa area) of SSFB. The metamorphic grade increases towards north and west. It reaches amphibolite facies in the central part (around Deolapar) and upto upper amphibolite facies near the northwestern extremity of SSFB (see Fig 1 for locations). Although occurrence of sillimanite blades in pelitic schists of Mansar area was reported by Pal and Bhowmik (1998), they argued that the sillimanite is derived from fibrolite with rising temperature within the realm of low to medium grade metamorphism (without crossing K-feldspar-sillimanite isograd) and does not indicate high grade (sillimanite zone) metamorphism. Development of fibrolite in mica schist, according to them, is by base leaching i.e. removal of Ca+ and K+ ions from feldspar grains by a hydrogenous fluid, through an intermediate stage of formation of muscovite (Pal and Bhowmik, 1998). Quartzite and associated quartzmica schist exposed around Ramtek and the underlying manganese bearing mica schists exposed in Kandri-Mansar area exhibit similar metamorphic signatures as revealed by their metamorphic mineral assemblages. Detailed study on metamorphic evolution was beyond the scope of the present study. But an attempt is made to correlate deformation and metamorphism through the study of Si - Se tectonites. Micaceous quartzite from northwest of Ramtek hill shows development of large porphyroblasts of garnet
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(almandine variety) along with finer grained quartz, muscovite and opaque minerals. The garnet grains preserve fine inclusion trails of quartz, chlorite and/ or biotite as internal schistosity (Si). A strong external schistosity (Se) defined by quartz, muscovite and opaques swerves round these garnet porphyroblasts (Fig. 6a,b). Si is sometimes straight and planar and is discordant to S e (Fig. 6a) (cf. Fig.8 of Bell and Rubenach, 1983). Macroscopically, Si represents S1 and Se represents S2 of Sausar deformation. This indicates that garnet formed at a time when S1 schistosity was already well developed, but the subsequent deformation (crenulation of S1) was yet to set in. Thus formation of garnet, probably from an initial assemblage of quartz, chlorite and/or biotite, post-dated S1 (D1 deformation) but predated S2 development (D2 deformation). Some garnet grains have overgrown weakly crenulated S1 (Fig. 6b), indicating that the garnet formed at a time when crenulation (F 2) of S 1 had already started (cf. Fig. 9 of Bell and Rubenach, 1983). This suggests that garnet formation may be, at places, synchronous with the early stage of D2 deformation (Bell and Rubenach,1983). Quartz-mica schist associated with the quartzite of Ramtek area shows development of porphyroblastic staurolite in addition to almandine garnet. Garnet grains are large and poikiloblastically include staurolite grains (Fig. 10). A crudely defined trail of fine-grained quartz and opaque is observed within the garnet as well as the staurolite grains, which represents S1. Garnet and staurolite formation is thus post-D1. Microstructural evidences are insufficient to work out the relative timing of growth of garnet and staurolite. Presence of staurolite and almandine garnet indicates that grade of regional dynamothermal metamorphism of pelitic schists having Fe-rich bulk composition in the study area may have reached staurolite-in isograd i.e. onset of amphibolite facies of metamorphism (Winkler, 1973), although more detailed study of metamorphic reaction textures are needed before the grade of metamorphism is concluded finally. From the foregoing description, it emerges that the quartzite and quartz-mica schists of Mansar and Chorbaoli Formations exposed in the study area may have undergone regional dynamothermal metamorphism of greenschist to amphibolite facies (upto staurolite-in isograd). Peak metamorphism (indicated by appearance of staurolite and/ or garnet) certainly post-dated D1 deformation and was possibly pre- to syn-D2 deformation in these rocks.
CONCLUSIONS

From regional geological mapping, structural studies and

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stratigraphic correlation of the Sausar Group of rocks in Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, Maharashtra, the following major conclusions can be drawn: (1) Stratigraphic succession of the Sausar Group should not be built on strict lithologic criteria alone. Structural disposition of rocks should be taken into account before building the local stratigraphic succession of the study area, as the rocks of Sausar Group in this area have been intensely folded. Thin bands of dolomitic marble and quartzite within manganese bearing mica schists of Mansar Formation are interpreted as sedimentary intercalations rather than folded repetitions of stratigraphically higher Bichua and Chorbaoli Formations as was interpreted earlier (cf. Chakravarty, 1973). (2) Manganese ore and gondite horizons of Mansar and Kandri mines, represent different parts of a large scale folded structure. Manganese-bearing quartzsillimanite schists can be generally taken as a marker horizon for regional stratigraphic correlation. (3) The map-scale Ramtek synform is a polyharmonic second-generation fold (F2) with southeasterly plunge and E-W striking, steeply northerly dipping axial plane. Large-scale F1 fold closures, as was interpreted by Mohanty (1988), do not occur on the limbs of this F2 structure. Ramtek synform is therefore not a non-plane, non-cylindrical large scale superposed structure as interpreted earlier (Mohanty 1988). Similar southeasterly plunging, large scale synformal fold closure is exposed near Kandri mine. (4) At least four generations of folding are identified in

the Sausar Group. F1 occurs only in hand specimen to outcrop scale; F2 occurs both as outcrop scale as well as map scale fold; F3 occurs only locally in some parts of Ramtek hill and is necessarily small scale fold that shows bending of L2 lineation. F4 occurs as broad warps with N-S axial plane. All the four generations are preserved in Ramtek area. At least three generations of structures (F 1, F 2 and F4) can be observed in Mansar-Kandri area also. (5) Regional dynamothermal metamorphism of pelitic schists and quartzite in the study area reached up to amphibolite facies (staurolite-inisograd). Peak metamorphism post-dated first deformation (D1). (6) The granite gneiss found south of Mansar mine, and continuing along the southern flank of Mansar ridge upto the west of Kandri mine, is an intrusive granite, emplaced syntectonically(possibly syn-D1) into the Sausar Group and codeformed with it (cf. orthogneiss of Chakravarty, 1973). It does not represent true basement (Tirodi Biotite Gneiss). The conglomerate horizon described by Mohanty (1993) from Waitola area appears to be an autoclastic breccia formed by intense brittle deformation of quartz veins and thin quartzite interbands within mica schist.
Acknowledgements: The work has been carried out as part of a Specialised Thematic Mapping (STM) programme of the Sausar fold belt by Geological Survey of India (GSI). We thank the Dy. Director General, Central Region, and Dy. Director General, Op. Maharashtra, GSI, Nagpur for permitting us to publish these data. Technical discussions with Dr. Abhinaba Roy and colleagues of Petrology Division have greatly benefited us during mapping.

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(Received: 14 March 2001; Revised form accepted: 10 April 2002)

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