REGIONAL STRATIGRAPHY OF QUATERNARY DEPOSITS IN PARTS OF THAR DESERT,RAJASTHAN

Quaternary stratigraphy of a part of Thar desert Rajasthan is proposed based on the correlation of depositional sequences in Kantli-Ghaggar basin, Luni basin, Sambhar lake and Jaipur area. The Quaternary sedime nts comprising the fluvial,lacustrine and aeolian deposits are associa ted with distinct pedologic events which show uniformity In succession even over these widely Separated areas. The lithosequences and geomor phological characteristics along with pedogenic evidences are consider ed in classifying the Quaternary Sediments, giving an informal nomencl ature, into five formations namely Bikaner Formation, Churu Formation, Sambhar Formation, Jaipur Formation and Luni Formation. Each of these formations consists of fluvial, lacustrine and aeolian units exceptin g the Jaipur Formation which consists of only fluvial unit. The onset Of Quaternary period marked a major transformation from humid, tropica l to arid, desertic conditions which continued with periods of compara tive wetter and drier phases.