High Resolution seismic Reflection technique is one of the most suitable geophysical methods for mapping the shallow coal seams and associated structural features, which will provide essential input for adopting proper methodology for exploitation and mine planning of coal reserves. In the present study, depth of the coal horizons were determined and the geometry of the faults in Ramagundam area, Gondwana basin is illustrated which is located at the junction of the Bastar and Dharwar cratons. The High Resolution seismic surveys conducted along eight parallel profiles with coverage of surface area one km2 in the study region. The study reveals (1) seismic sections up to 1000m depth with thick, gently dipping Barakar Formation, (2) thick coal horizons at a depth range of 200 to 500m, and (3) NW-SE striking and gently dipping normal faults are observed in coal horizons. The obtained results will provide better knowledge of the coal reserves in the study area.

Detailed geological studies were carried out on the basaltic sequences along the Jabalpur-Niwas, Jabalpur-Chutka and Jabalpur-Mandla traverses covering an area of about 12 km×15 km to characterise various basaltic lava flows and their behaviour on seismotectonics and geodynamic setting of their formation in the Mandla region of the Eastern Deccan Volcanic Province (EDVP). The studies involve an analysis of the satellite images for the identification of lineaments/faults and field geological studies consisting of geological controls such as ground check, thickness of fractures and orientation along the acknowledged lineaments/faults. The results of the present research comprising 65 lineaments/faults mainly belonging to two geometric groups, minor and major dominantly in the NW-SE and the NE-SW and altered strata varying lithology (weathered to compact basalts) are recognised in the study area. Based on their extent, 57 lineaments have been classified as minor (<100 km) trends in three different orientations, i.e., NNE-SSW, ESE-WNW and ENE-WSW, whereas 8 lineaments were classified as intermediate (300-100 km) trends in NNE-SSW. No major (>300 km) lineaments are noticed in the study region. The field geological investigations have facilitated the recognition of 10 flows with different characteristic features and a variety of volcanic structures such as columnar, vesicular, amygdaloidal, inflated pahoehoe lava flows and red bole interflow horizons have been documented. Basement rocks of these Deccan basalt lavas are represented by Tirodi Biotite gneisses, quartzite, quartz-mica schists and crystalline limestone in the SE part of the study area of the Mandla region. The present study will help evaluate the localised site characterisation for urban planning and setting up major civil structures.

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A comprehensive study based on Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), a near-surface geophysical technique, was carried out for the first time in the Mandla Lobe of the Eastern Deccan Volcanic Province. The study was conducted to demarcate fractures, which are essential for finding potential groundwater zones in the hard rock region and for the delineation of shallow subsurface geological features in terms of shear wave velocity. The MASW surveys were carried out at different selected locations in the study area to delineate fractures in the basaltic terrain covered with thin weathering and alluvium cover. These basalts are mainly comprised of massive, vesicular and amygdaloidal varieties and interpreted as different basaltic flows of Mandla, Dhuma and Pipardahi formations. The shear wave velocity sections divulge the layered nature of the basalt sequences. In some of the massive flows, there are low-velocity vertical zones that can be deduced to be either vertical columnar joints or fracture zones, and the low-velocity weathered flows can be the good groundwater reservoirs. The shear wave velocities V s obtained are in the range from 300 to 2500 m/s at different locations, and the thicknesses of flows are varied in the MASW sections. The obtained shear wave data are compared with the borehole data, and the results are well correlated. The study clearly differentiates the variations within basaltic formations, which are interpreted as potential groundwater zones.