No abstract

Detailed geological mapping was carried out in Dandli of the Kotli district where Middle Cambrian to Late Miocene rocks are exposed. The coal bearing Patala Formation of the Upper Paleocene epoch is well exposed on both limbs of the doubly plunging Tattapani-Karela anticline and also on the eastern plunge of the doubly plunging Devigarh-Palana anticline. These anticlines are considered as the continuation of the Riasi anticline in Jammu, India. Structurally, the Kotli area lies to the south east of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis. The 73.2 m thick Patala Formation contains two coal seams. The exposed thickness of individual seam ranges from 1 m to 1.2 m and in the underground, it reaches upto 4 m at some places. The coal from the Dandli area has medium volatiles and low moisture with generally low ash content and good fixed carbon. Sulphur content varies from 0.51 to 3.17% and occurs in the form of pyrite nodules. The chemical analyses reveal that the coal is bituminous to semi-anthracite variety.

Jaalwala Distributary was selected to see the consequences of concrete lining on the underlying saline groundwater table. Its middle and tail portions were concrete lined whereas the head portion was still unlined. Visual MODFLOW 2011.1 was used to simulate the effects of concrete lining on saline groundwater in two-dimensional format. Simulation results showed a gradual rise of electrical conductivity (EC) up to 7000 µS/cm and decline in water table depth to nine feet (2.74 m). It observed negligible inflows from the distributary through its western boundary due to formation of a permanent barrier in the way of seepage of any kind. Results have further predicted that freshwater layer available beneath the Jaalwala Distributary (before its lining) will finish ultimately and the below present saline water also move upward to take this vacated place. Hence it was concluded to line the canals of saline water areas from their sides which will not only protect them from erosion but canal water theft as well.

The oldest, standing fossil forest in the world preserved as wood occurs at Bükkábrány, Hungary. An open-pit mine working Upper Miocene (Pannonian) lignite revealed sixteen stumps, 1.8 to 3.6 m basal diameter, preserved up to 6 m in height, standing on top of the lignite bed. The trees were preserved by the suddenly rising water level of Lake Pannon which drowned the forest seven million years ago. Sand from a prograding delta covered the landscape, preserving the unmineralised trunks in a anoxic waterlogged condition. This fossil forest, a wonderful example of a possible PaleoPark, is a unique part of the patrimony of Hungary and Earth which could be preserved for the future, but it is endangered by lignite mining operations.

Study of the Sakesar Limestone of the lower Eocene age in the Nammal Gorge in western Salt Range is carried out. During the field investigation eight samples were collected from an 80 ft. thick limestone horizon, at equal interval. A new Alveolinid, foraminifera assemblage is identified.