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The present study aims to understand evolution of the Lesser Himalaya, which consists of (meta) sedimentary and crystalline rocks. Field studies, microscopic and rock magnetic investigations have been carried out on the rocks near the South Almora Thrust (SAT) and the North Almora Thrust (NAT), which separates the Almora Crystalline Zone (ACZ) from the Lesser Himalayan sequences (LHS). The results show that along the South Almora Thrust, the deformation is persistent; however, near the NAT deformation pattern is complex and implies overprinting of original shear sense by a younger deformational event. We attribute this overprinting to late stage back-thrusting along NAT, active after the emplacement of ACZ. During this late stage back-thrusting, rocks of the ACZ and LHS were coupled. Back-thrusts originated below the Lesser Himalayan rocks, probably from the Main Boundary Thrust, and propagated across the sedimentary and crystalline rocks. This study provides new results from multiple investigations, and enhances our understanding of the evolution of the ACZ.

Several small lensoidal bodies of felsic volcanics are exposed in a curvilinear pattern within the brecciated granitoids of Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex (BGC) at Mohar. Sub-surface data reveals extensive presence of these felsic volcanics below the sediment of Vindhyan Supergroup. It occurs like a sheet with thickness varying from 12 m to 134 m. Its lateral extent has been traced upto 4.8 km. Multiple flows of felsic magma are identified based on colour, granularity, cross cutting relations and cyclic distribution of multiple vesicular bands along the entire thickness of felsic magma. The felsic rock contains upto 13.21% K 2 O. Chemical composition of these felsic volcanics varies across the column. Petrographically and chemically all these felsic volcanics are identified as rhyolite or rhyolite tuff.Significant uranium mineralisation of 0.0165% eU 3 O 8 average grade has been intercepted for 11.10 m thick with <0.005% ThO 2 within the felsic rock. Radiometric assay of a mineralised intercept (15 cm length) has revealed up to 0.15% U 3 O 8 with disequilibrium in favour of parent. Uranium occurs as disseminated grains of coffinite -(Y) associated with pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, molybdenite, hematite, fluorite, anglesite and cerrusite. Mineral assemblage and mode of occurrence of the uranium and other minerals in the host rock indicates its hydrothermal nature. This is the first reported uranium occurrence from the volcanogenic environment of Bundelkhand.

Black shale type uranium deposits, though of low grade (<0.001 to 0.05% U 3 O 8 ), contain large uranium resources because of their immense volume. The Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Krol-Tal Himalayan sequence covering a cumulative area of about 1000 sq km in five different synclinal basins from Sirmour district, Himachal Pradesh in the west to Nainital district, Uttar Pradesh in east contain such black shale horizons. The uranium mineralisation found in black shale in the Nigalidhar syncline of Himachal Pradesh and its implication of being an indicator for search of such uranium deposits in Himalayas is discussed.

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