SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE & EVOLUTION OF NARMADA , TAPTI-PURNA BASIN & SON VALLEY , WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HOMINID LOCALITY HATHNORA CENTRAL INDIA

Dr. A. A. Khan 1 and Dr. Maria Aziz 2 . 1. Ex. Director, Geological Survey of India, Director-Rajeev Gandhi Proudyogiki Mahavidyalaya, Bhopal462042, M.P India. 2. Director, Pri-Med Care, Lewisville Texas 75067 USA. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

The SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE embodies the two Quaternary basins of tectonic origin on the two margins of Satpura Crustal Block. The Satpura block traversed by enechelon system of faults and lineaments is characterized by thinner crust (33-38 km deep, basement depth >2.5 km) with series of ENE-WSW trending gravity high (viz. Sendwa, Khandwa, Chicholi, Tikaria etc.) with amplitudes of 10-35 mgal. The chain of gravity high indicates extensive magmatism and emplacement of derivatives at shallow crustal levels. The associated Narmada South (Satpura North) fault and Satpura South Fault marking the two hinges of the Satpura block are fundamental in nature and extend to Moho level. The Narmada Quaternary basin in the north and Tapti-Purna basin in the south are two Graben which formed prominent loci of sedimentation in lineament zone. The area of lineament zone studied tectonically encompasses two crustal provinces of Central India Shield, namely, the Northern Crustal Province (NCP) and the Southern Crustal Province (SCP). The two provinces are separated by a crustal level shear zone, referred as Central Indian Suture.The zone has been a major locus of episodic tectonism with evidences of reactivation. The E-W to ENE-WSW trending Narmada and Tapti lineament from a prominent tectonic belt (SONATA) in midplate continental India.
The Narmada conspicuously has straight course which is controlled by ENE_WSW to E_W lineament, it is bounded by Vindhyan in the north and Satpura in the south, it has been exposed to the repeated post erisional and depositional activities and subjected to anisotropic and asymmetric tectonic dislocation which has culminated diversified morphogenetic expression. It further reshaped landscape architech which has categorised different regions and had undergone the process of tectonic evolution and chiseling of terrain by dynamic erosional and depositional activity in into various morphogenetic regions, land form elements, configuration of drainage, topography, erosional platform, denudation ridges, structural units linear valleys, strike hills, valley gapes, escarpments and river terraces. The cumulative dynamics of structural deform, rinsing and sinking platform of Narmada has manifested imprints of concealed mechanism of tectonics, geothermic The Tapti-Purna graben is located south of Satpurs which evolved as two separate sub basins of fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation, connected subsequently with reactivation. The most conspicuous feature of the southern margin of the Satpura between longitude 74º and 78º is cospicous ENE-WSW to E-W trend of Tapti whcih display local swing at places. These trends characterizing Tapti crustal block, confiorm to structural grain of the area reflecting the convergence of Tapti and Gavilgarh faults enechelon system traversing Satpura foot hills, with a southerly convexity. The Quaternary basin area in Tapti Crustal block are characterized by relatively thinner crust with moho depth of 33-37 km, shallow basement (<1 km) with higher density (+0.239m) mantle derivatives emplaced at shallow level (4-5 km; Rao K.V., 1997).
The present studies taking entire quaternary sedimentation of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE as single ecological system besides the tectonics on the either side of Satpurat revealed that the area of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE formed single loci of sedimentation and there was contionus and sequential deposition of sediments from Pleistocene to Upper Pleistocene time. It is witnessed by quaternary events morphogenetic expression disposition of river terraces, their mutual, relation, lithostratigraphy, correlation of terraces across Narmada, Tapti -Purna and Son valley Khan (in press). The Narmada and Son are two linear basins north of Satpura and Tapti-Purna in south was a single eliptical trench which has provided a patform of Quaternary sedimentation in Central India. The present expression and configuration of this trench is fragmented and disposition of quaternary blankets of Son Narmada, Tapti and Purna is due to tearing, faulting, dislocation subsidence, up rise of various blocks and reactivation of structural fabrics with in the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE.
The Quaternary deposits of Tapti comprised of Bouledre conglomerate, fluvial deposits of paleodomain and present domain of Tapti. The Boulder conglomerate forms the base of Quaternary deposits overling directly on basaltic rock and embodied with older deposits in the basin. It revealed that inception of Quaternary sedimention ocuurred in the rock basin south of Stapura in Tapti which had outer rim of basin in the west restricted by strong N-S structural trend and striking ranges. It is contradictory to the openion of earliear worker (Tiwari, 1996) and others. The Quaternary deposits of wardha in the east upper Pleistocene-Holocene age (50 m) (Tiwari 1985) forms the eastern fringe of Tapti Basin; it is seprated from Tapti-Purna basin by episodes activation of the eastern block during Quaternary period Khan (in press). The present studies within single ecology of geology tectonics and in hormony of sedimentation in lineament zone, in increasing antiquity revealed that Tapti-Purna was a single basin, formed a mega tectonic depression which was hospitable to sedimentation during Plesistocene to Upper Pleistocene -Holocene time.The present expression is of basin is due to Quaternary tectonics in the lineament zone.
In Tapti basin Bouler conglomerate occurs as persisten horizon at the base of quaternary deposit which represents specific pahse of sedimentation in the valley , it is time equvalent to the boulder conglomerate of Narmada and has witnessed that the sedimentation on eithr edge of Satpura and in the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE in single ecology was contamparary and simultaneous with Narmada, which further revealed that quaternary deposits of Tapti are early to middle Pleistocene in age and related to the early reactivation of Tapti lineament.The association of rock cut terraces, rock cut benches, strend lines and rock cut sacr in Tapti and waghour rivers demonstrate mighty reactivation of Tapti lineament during the early stages of sedimentation. The cyclic reactivation has vertically incised and cut country rocks in to rock cut benches in stepped sequence; where as in the Purna valley a gape was been created by reactivation of Tapti-Purna linament was convering point and was hospitable to of accumulation of sediments and sedimentation.
The Purna basin embraces hanging drainage and configuration of basin is closed indicates that loci of sedimentation wast a deep gape and undergone vertical and cyclic subsidence after inception of sedimentation. The thick pile of sediments comprised of five lithostratigraphic units viz. Ferruginised and oxidized cobblel silt and clay Formation, Ferruginised assemblage of pebble brown silt Formation, Red coarse sand, silt clay Formation and Dark grey medium sand,yellow silt and clay Formation and Grey clay silt Formation, where as Tapti Basin has only three units viz. Boulder Conglomerate at the base on rock basin followed by quateranry deposits of paleodomain and present quateranry deposits of Tapti which are older deposits. The present studies within single tectonic and geomorphic ecology and in hormony of sedimentation revealed that Tapti-Purna was a single basin which formed a mega tectonic depression in the east, was hospitable to sedimentation from Plesistocene to Upper Pleistocene -Holocene. The quaternary deposits of wardha is Upper Pleistocene-Holocene age (Tiwari 1985) forms the eastern fringe of Tapti Basin, it is seprated from Tapti-Purna basin by episodes activation of the eastern block during Quaternary period Khan ( in press).
In the present work collective and comprehansive study of Quaternary deposits and river terraces in SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE , Khan (1985), Khan et.al (1982), (1984) Khan (1991),) (1992) , Khan 1991, Yadav & Khan 1996. The Narmada valley embodied almost whole of the Quaternary deposits time span from the lower Pleistocene to Holocene (Khan & Sonakia (1992). Khan (1912), Khan  viz Glacial, fluvio-glacial and fluvial domain, wher as the boulder conglomerate which has yielded human skull Sonakia (1984) is of fluvio-glacial origin Khan & Sonakia (1991) indictae that SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE has a eliptical and elongated depressinon evolued and emerged by repeated reactivation, the grabens evloved on either side of Satpura were contemarary and sedinentation was simultaoeous and composite in Central India.The prsent disposition and expression of these blanket is fregmented, has conceived its position with repeated tearing, faulting, due cyclic reactivation of different fabrics of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE (In press).
The Quaternary studies in Tapti-Purna valley region have further indicated presence of a depression along Yaval-Adavad-Akot-Bawanbir area, through which an arm of the Arabian Sea (?) extended causing salinity in this region. The depression was filled up by sedimentation. The Neotectonic activities resulted it in further deepening of this basin and as a result alluvium at places reached below present mean sea level. The Narmada graben similar situation occurred which further witnessed that Tapti-Purna was single basin and there was contineous sedimentation from Pleistocene to Upper Pleistocen-Holocence time. The present frame work of the basin is due to Quatenary tectonics and reactivation of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE.
The Quaternary blanket of Son Valley in central India (23.00 to 24.00° 78.00 to 80.00 N) had deeply incised in to river terrace related with cyclic tectonic adjustment of various blocks in SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE. These terraces are designated STo to ST3 in between 280 m to 310 m above m.s.l increasing antiquity from the river bed.The exposed thickness of quaternary deposits is about 30. The study of the linament and structural elements indicates that Son western extremity of Narmada Rift valley of Quadrangle 46I, 46 J,46 M, 46 N covering an area about 45000 sq. km bounded by latitude 22 00 00 to 24 00 00 N and longitude74 00 00 to 76 00 00 which indicate repeated cyclic and intermittent eruption of basltic lava along ENE-WSW to E-W trending lineament in synchronization of mechanics of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE which directly rest over the Proterozoic rocks south of Jhabua ( 46J ). The complet sequence of lava flows is noticed in (46N) in Narmada valley.
The area studied evolved in response to topography and landscape profile in tectonic zone and reactivated superimposition of drainage of pre-existing topography, lithology and structure. The Narmada Son lineament zones represent an interaction of lithology, structure and climate, illustrating time dependent reactivation history west, (1962 ;) Choubey, (1971). The central part of Jabalpur earthquake affected area is characterized by Quaternary blanket of Narmada terraces (NT1 to NT3), whereas the area towards north exhibits units of Vindhyan syneclise, with valley and montane topography comprising hogbacks and cuestas. Further north, the syneclise has wide plateau with prominent scrap overlooking the Indo-Gangetic plains. Towards south in the Satpura block geomorphic units of extrusive origin with different levels of plateau, units of structural origin on the Mesozoic sediments and units of denudational origin culminate into high hill ranges with steep slope.
The Narmada valley in eastern and central segment exhibits a combination of a mixed topography and quaternary plain with inselbergs, highlands and trappean plateau. The area in north and south of Jabalpur-Narsighpur-Hosangabad are occupied by plateau. The central part is a valley gape occupied by Quaternary sediments which have been accumulated in liear trench. This alluvial plain is drained by Narmada, Gaur, Hiran, Sher, Shakker, Dudhi, Tawa and Ganjal rivers and their tributaries. On the basis of altitudinal variation, five prominent geomorphic surfaces between 310 m and 585 m above MSL have been identified. The average elevation in the plain is around 390m MSL with the gradient from east to west. The plain is dooted with low inselbergs and mesas. The plateau in the southern sector attains an elevation of 585m MSL near Bamhni and in the northern area, the elevation is around 501m MSL near Bichhua village. In the eastern sector, Barela and Sihora area attain an elevation of 526m and 508m MSL respectively. The southern plateau has a general ENE-WSW trend, while the northern plateau extends E-W. The highland and plateau show evidences of several cycles of erosion during the geological time. The plain of Gaur, Hiran and Narmada are accretional in nature.
The Narmada plain is studded with ENE-WSW elongated ridges bearing imprints of polyphase folding in the Sihora Sleemanabad area. Denudational ridge in the Deccan Traps of Barela-Mandla region, show imprints of dominant ENE fabric.
All along the southern margin of Vindhyans, dominant geomorphic forms are hogbacks and cuestas, while towards north, plateau, mesa and butte are prominent gromorphic feature. This geomorphic pattern indicates post Vindhyan and pre-Gondwana reactivation of NNF (North Narmada Fault). Conspicuous level-differences in the Gondwana-Deccan Trap contact surfaces reflect the nature of the main ENE fault and cross fault in the Satpura ranges. Elongated plateau, mesa and butte in Deccan Traps of Seoni-Mandla-Balaghat-Jabalpur district the dominant structural control over the evolution of landforms. South Western regional gradient of laterite capping in the Amarkantak region indicates adjustment of plantation surfaces during Tertiary period (Roy Chowdhury el al., 1964).
Evolution of Quaternary Basin:-Narmada Basin:-The "Narmada Quaternary basin" and "Tapti-Purna Quaternary basin" have been postulated to have evolved as grabens on either side of prominent "Sapura Horst". However the evolution of Satpura as a major Horst need to be reviewed keeping the following points in view (Ravishankar, 1997).: (i) The graben on either shoulders are not continuous; These are restricted to the limited lengths with an overlap of 1º longitude (ii) The crustal blocks on which the Quaternary basins are set, have different attributes the Narmada block having thickened crust (39-42km) and Tapti block with relatively thinner crust (33-37km) (iii) The Quaternary basins are within enechelon system of faults (iv) Binding faults do not have the same extent of throw in their Strike Continuity e.g. Gavilgarh fault which is estimated to have Quaternary component of vertical throw of the order of 400m in Purna basin and 425m in Salbardi area has only 25m throw in the Upper Wardha Basin (Tiwari, 1985) and (v) through basins on either shoulders are prima facie coeval in temporal sense, lateral differences in reactivation have been noted; e.g. the activity in Purna initiated in Early Pleistocene but Tapti sector got reactivated only in Upper Pleistocene; probably. And subsequently it was much later in Wardha sector (Tiwari, 1985) The two Quaternary basins of tectonic origin are located on the two margins of Satpura Crustal Block discerned on the basis of ground geophysical and DSS profiles studies (Kaila, 1988). The Satpura block traversed by enechelon system of faults and lineaments is characterized by thinner crust (33-38 km deep, basement depth >2.5 km) with series of ENE-WSW trending gravity high (viz. Sendwa, Khandwa, Chicholi, Tikaria etc.) with amplitudes of 10-35 mgal. The chain of gravity high indicates extensive magmatism and emplacement of derivatives at shallow crustal levels. Extensional mechanism has been invoked to explain crustal attenuation in the block. The associated Narmada South (Satpura North) fault and Satpura South Fault marking the two hinges of the Satpura block are fundamental in nature and extend to Moho level. The Narmada Quaternary basin in the north and Tapti-Purna basin in the south are on Narmada and Tapti Crustal blocks flanking the Satpura block.
Thus, the domains of Quaternary basins linked with fault lines of known seismogenic potential need a comprehensive evaluation, reviewing the tectonics neotectonics seismicity and seismo tectonics and geo-tectonics of the SONATA area. This forms the scope of present work the two Quaternary basis viz Narmada and Purna-Tapti constitute grabben zone embodies the mega blankets of Quaternary deposits of Central India, are embedded within the tectonic zone. These Quaternary blankets have recorded and preserved the imprints of tectonics, neotectonic and tectonic events occurring since Pre-Cambrian time.
The landscape geo-architech of the area and drainage, landscape profile configuration drainage river terrace, basin boundaries Quaternary sedimentation have been studied in present work and correlated with geomorphic events, weathering events, sedimentation, tephra events, occurrences and paleomanetic studies in Central India in Narmada basin revealed sequence of major Quaternary events as identified and established is given in the Table No

Homo erectus tectonics & sedimentation:-
The catchment area of the river, bordered by the Satpura and Vindhya Mountain Ranges, stretches over an area of 98,796 km2 (38,145.3 sq mi). It is situated between longitudes 72°32' and 81°45' east and latitudes 21°20' to 23°45' north, on the northern edge of the Deccan Plateau. The catchment area encompasses important regions in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
The Quaternary tract of Narmada basin covers an area of about 17950 sq. km starting from west of Jabalpur (23 0 07 0 79 05 30) to east of Harda (22 0 29"; 76 0 58") , and Gureshwar and Bharouche section in Gujarat state for a distance of about 1320 km. It is found to be ideal locus of Quaternary sedimentation in Central India as witness by multi-cyclic sequence of Quaternary terraces in the valley. The general elevation of Narmada alluvial plain varies between 265.7 and 274.3 m above the sea level. The general gradient of this plain in this stretch is about 1m /Km towards West. The Narmada conspicuously has straight course is controlled by ENE_WSW to E_W lineament, is bounded by Vindhyan in the north and Satpura in the south it is exposed the repeated post erisional and depositional activities and subjected to anisotropic and asymmetric tectonic dislocation which has culminated diversified morphogenetic units and region which further undergone to process of tectonic evolution and chiseling of terrain by dynamic erosional and depositional activity resulting in and reshaping the terrain into various morphogenetic units and land form element, configuration of drainage, topography, physiographic , erosional platform, planation surfaces, denudation ridges, structural units linear valleys, strike hills, valley gapes, escarpments and river terraces. The cumulative dynamics of structural deform, rinsing and sinking platform of Narmada has also manifested concealed cyclic mechanism of tectonics and geothermic activity, seiesmicity, neosiesmic events which have their surface illustration manifestation in the valley. In addition the valley gapes and valley trenches provided ideal sites for sedimentation for formation of quaternary platform, pediment, pediplain, peniplain and river terraces.
The Narmada Rift valley formed a linear trench in the middle of Indian subcontinent was an ideal loci for accumulation of sediments.The rift trench is intruded by the dolerite and other mafic and siliceous dykes and sills along lineaments in different phases of tectonic deformation. The Quaternary sedimentation incepting from glacial activity, followed by fluvio-glacial, lacustrine and fluvial phase within the rinsing and sinking environment, block faulting, linear displacement, uplifting, Neogene rifting and and rift-bound Pliocene-Pleistocene rifting and volcanic activity, specifically during glacial and fluvio-glacial phase are major component of the Quaternary period and tectonic processes of the Narmada Rift System which form the base of quaternary deposits. The rift system and basin platform provided a unique setting for dynamic ecosystems that were characterized by Rift-related subsidence and coeval sedimentation also created an ideal loci of Quaternary sedimentation and environment for the accumulation of sediments volcanic fabrics sediments, burial, digenesis, and preservation of organic remains. The disposition of quaternary deposits, drainage configuration basin boundary and neotectonics of the area revealed that rifts was formed after widespread Quaternary sedimentation occurred and voluminous sediments in the rift basins were accumulated by glacial activity, it is also witnessed by present disposition of quaternary blankets of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE. Table No QGMT _16, 17 The ENE-WSW trending Narmada Quaternary basin, bounded by longitude 77ºE and 80ºE is located on Narmada crustal block extending in the east over Mahakoshal Greenstone belt; the block is characterized by relatively thickened crust with Moho at depths of 39-42 km (Conard at 12km depth, Kaila, 1988), ascribed to subcrustal underplating. The western part of the basin lies between Kantaphor and Tamia Bouguer Gravity low; the eastern segment beyond Piparia ridge (Tiwari and Bhai, 1997) overlies Udaipura-Narsinghpur-Sihora gravity high area, with underlying volvcano-sedimentary sequence of Mahakoshal Group. Tikaria Gravity high reflecting emplacement of high density material lies to the south of the basin. The adjascent Satpura block in the north is characterized by high heat flow (85±23mW/M 2 ) with thermal springs of Anhoni (Lat.23º35"N, Long.78º36"E, Temp. 56-58ºC) and Samoni (Lat.22º36"N Long.78º21"E, Temp. 45ºC) in the west and Babeha (Lat.24º44"N Long.80º18"E, Temp. 38ºC) in the east.
The Narmada basin is bounded by Narmada north and Narmada south faults, located in the apex zone of northward convexity in the Narmada south fault. At places (e.g. around Hoshangabad), the northern limit of the basin transcends Narmada north faults. The Quaternary lithic fill rests over Gondwana sediments, Mahakoshals, Deccan Trap, Granites and Bijawars (Khan and Shah, 1977). A chain of detached/isolated slices of Mahakoshal volcanosedimentary rocks are noted on southern fault bound margin Tiwari and Bhai, (1997).The detailed sedimentalogical analysis of quaternary sediments of surface, of both paleo and present domain of Narmada, bore hole sediments form 320 m below the surface , analysis of paleo-sole horizon ,quartz grain morphology of both e quaternary sediments and tephra soil and tephra stratigraphy, lithological assemblage, biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy have identified seven lithostratigraphic units on the surface of fluvial domain of Narmada, where the boulder bed represent the glacial phase at the base of Narmda trench; boulder conglomerate fluvio-glacial phase and sediments of paleo and presnet domain of Narmada River terraces ( NT1 to NT3) in increasing antiquity.The sediments of boulder bed and boulder comglomerate are concealed and not fully exposed in the valley.The lithostratigraphy of Quaternary from Lower Pleistocene to Holocene has been established (Khan et.al 1991).
The Quaternary events of the Narmada portys three prominent terraces and two sub terraces which are designated NT1 to NT3 and sub terraces NT2-A is NT2-B, NT2 B, besides NT2-C, NT3-A & NT3-B besides NT-0 in increasing order of antiquity. The terraces are described in detail separately. These are both erosional and depositional terraces and confined at an elevation of, between 280m to 310-315. The NT1 is being the youngest terrace and NT3-B it is being the oldest terrace identified in the valley .The realative disposition of these teraces is shown in the Table No QGMT_15. In the pre Quaternary period in Narmada valley nine plantation / erosional surfaces are identified between the elevation 300 to 500 m above the mean sea level on pre cambrian, Gondwana and Deccan basaltic rocks. These surfaces are characterized by different diagnostic erosional and depositional characteristics and associated landform elements. These surfaces are developed in decreasing antiquity in response tectonic /climatic/eustatic changes in the area. The Quaternary plain of Narmada display fluvial terraces of the stepped topographic benches, which from the prominent Quaternary landscape flanking Narmada Valley, indicate the former levels of flood-plain or valley floor. These land forms have been formed by combined action of erosion and depositional process of stream, the up warping in the hard ward ends and consequent climatic change in the post-Pleistocene time.
In the upper reaches the Narmada and its Tributaries traverse through the mountain ranges forming tight gorges, straight to sinuous channel pattern and very narrow strip of flood plain when it debouches in the area around Jabalpur, Hoshangabad their flood plain broadens out to the width of 0.5 to 1.5 km. The Narmada in this area splits out into numerous subchannal embracing a large number of sand-bars, point-bars, channel braids and established vegetated island, and shows a conspicuously braided pattern indicating a sudden loss in bed slope after entering the Narmada valley and an almost graded stage.
The terraces on hard rock are erosional surfaces were recognized by their elevation, continuity on longitudional profile with relicts rock benches, rock cut terraces and breaks in the slope in the valley. The terraces do not show uniform characteristic of weathering pattern or deposit and have been identified by their relationship with plantation surface / Erosional plane E-1 to E-9 , among these E-9 is the highest (300 m to 500m m.s.l.) and by its wide distribution appears to be the plantation surfaces. The plantation surface occurs irrespective of lithology and rock types in the valley and distinctly characterized by elevation and digonestic elements of erosional activity and peneplanation.
The Narmada has in the area under study has sculptured the alluvial tract into stepped sequence forming four alluvial terraces along its course. These are designated as NT0 to NT3, NT0 being the youngest terrace and NT-3 the oldest terrace. These terraces are separated by the scarp both curvilinear and linear in nature facing towards river side. These are abandoned flood plains represent the level of former valley floor in the area, and were formed by cumulative climato-tectonic changes in the watershed of Narmada in the Quaternary times.In Narmada NT0 and NT1 area depositional terraces whereas NT2 & NT3 are erosional terraces. These are both depositional and erosional terraces which are cyclic and non cyclic in nature and paired equvalent on both side of river. The Narmada exhibits swelling and pinching nature along its course of 1300 kms, between Amarkantak amd Bharouch the channel course of Narmada is mainly controlled by ENE-WSW lineament and its sympathetic fractures. The Narmada in Jabalpur _ Harda and Gurdeshwar _ Bharouch section embodies prominent blanket of Quaternary deposits which display steepped sequence of river terraces. These terraces are seprated by linear and curvilinear scarp facing river.In Jabalpur _Harda section Hiran Dudhi, Shakker, Sher and tawa are the prominent tributaries. In Gurudesh _ Bharouch section Narmada flows in a general WSW direction where it display meanders with wavelengths of order of 5-8 km. The Orsang, Aswan, Men and Bhuki are the major tributaries joining Narmada from the north. The Karjan River, which drains a major part of the trappean uplands in the lower Narmada valley, meets the Narmada from the south. The other tributary, the Madhumati river drains the western fringe of the trappean upland. In between the Karjan and Madhumati rivers there are several north flowing small streams meeting theNarmada. The net work of drainage in the lower Narmada is structurally controlled and developed and work under the mechanism of neosiesmic ecology of pulsation variance evident by river terraces, linear scarp. The presence of ravenous tracts with incised deep gullies of 20-25 m. is manifestation of deep seated water table due to subsidence of block along the lineament zone. The disposition of river terraces, entrenched meanders and alluvial ciff 15-30 m are suggestive of neotectonic activity in the area. The display of active Narmada Channel configuration of terraces, meander scrolls, entrenched meander revealed misfit nature of Narmada in the area. The present channel of Narmada is strongly influenced by NSF and display persistent tendency to shift towards north due geotectonic activity along the fault. It is also further authenticated that there is perceptible up rise in the southern block of fault and subsidence of northern block which has manifested and resulted into gliding and shift of Narmada to wards north.The study of active channel of Narmada associated land form elements , cahnnel course geometry and digonestics of landform elements to gather with and the braided appearance to the channel indicates the heterogeneity of the present river bed and also its decrease in load carrying capacity towards the later phase in the history of channel system. The disposition of river terraces, entrenched meanders and alluvial ciff 15-30 m are suggestive of neotectonic activity in the area. The display of active Narmada Channel configuration of terraces, meander scrolls, entrenched meander revealed misfit nature of Narmada in the area. The present channel of Narmada is strongly influenced by NSF and display persistent tendency to shift towards north due geotectonic activity along the fault. It is also further authenticated that there is perceptible up rise in the southern block of fault and subsidence of northern block as witnessed by disposition of fluvial terraces in Narmadachannel in the lower Narmada valley.
The Narmada Rift valley is conspicuous ENE-WSW to E-W trending prominent composite structural system across Indian sub-continent. It consists of various blocks which are dislocated and faulted along various faults and lineaments in space and time. The Narmada Rift System consists of various sub-basins like Hiran, Sher Shakkar, Dudhi, Tawa, which are minor basins are integrated and in built part of main rift System. These sub basins possess imprints of rinsing sinking and rifting events. These imprints are recorded in terms of manifestation and signature on landscape, drainage, land form elements, present and paleo-meandering signature, river terraces, cut of meanders, paleo channels, scars, rock cut terraces, entrenchment and linear and curvilinear scars. These sub basins have developed transverse to the main axis of Narmada rifting and had deep cut across the quaternary blanket. The evolution of Narmada graben is differential and asymmetrical with rinsing and sinking valley floor. The Narmada basin contains fossiliferous Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic fabrics sediments and volcanic rocks which were occupied by early hominid populations. The Main Narmada rift is both symmetrical and asymmetrical in different segments along its length of about 1300 km. Several paleoanthropological localities, archeological sites ranging in age from the Pliocene-Pleistocene times were discovered within these basins. The discovery of Human Skull Homo erectus form boulder conglomerate bed of Hathnora formation  by Sonakia (1984) De Lumley, and Sonakia, (1985): in Sehore district M.P.India was first fossil skull of man from Indian sub-continent. It is correlated with Homo-eructs of China on Quaternary Platform is found to be the oldest homo-erectus in Asia Khan et.al (2013).
The known Pliocene-Pleistocene paleo-anthropological localities have given us information about ancestors who were habitants and sparsely concentrated in the Narmada rift valley. This is not a coincidence, because the volcanic and tectonic activities that were responsible for the formation of the rift basins and formed the loci of Quaternary sedimentation & created ideal environments for the proliferation of life and the preservation of faunal and floral remains. The Quaternary volcanic eruption, ash fall, repeated tectonic dislocation and were responsible for the quick burial and preservation of fossils during digenesis. The assemblages of sediments and granulometric parameters, digenetic processes involving silicification, calcification, feldspathization, clay formation, and pedogenesis all played vital roles in fossil preservation in the sediments. The various rock fabrics, ash bed, paleo-sole inter bedded with the fossiliferous sediments also provide temporal information about geologic processes, faunal evolution, pale -environment, and early hominid behavior and lithic technology.
In Homnid locality Hathnora of Narmada valley is occupied by thick Quaternary sediments which are classified on the basis of statistical parameters, quartz grain morphology of sediments, quartz grain morphology of quartz grain of paleosole, heavy mineral assemblage, and ash bed sedimentary features and environments of sedimentation. The lowermost units (Boulder bed) is or glacio-fluvial origin (Khan el al 1991) whereas the rest of fluvial origin. The top four formations (Sohagpur, Shahganj, Hoshangabad and Janwasa) are classified based on morphostratigraphic state (NT o -NT 3 ), degree of oxidation, calcification and compaction. Janwasa formation comprises of sediments of active channel deposition and is the older three (Sohagpur, Shahganj, Hoshangabad formation) are related to older flood plains deposits of paleo-do-main of Narmada and are grouped under older alluvium. Boulder conglomerate of fluvio-glacial origin is assigned an independent formational status based on distinct lithology and fossil assemblage.
The sequence of Quaternary events and the history of sedimentation of Narmada indicate that the upper 70m top 90m of the Narmada alluvium was deposited in a single aggradations episode with minor pauses when dissection of the alluvium produced two terraces (NT 3 -NT 2 ). The sediments of this aggradations episode constitute three lithostratigraphy units viz. Boulder conglomerate, Sohagpur and Shahganj formation. The sediments of the alluvial phase are underlain by a boulder bed of glacio-fluvial origin. Thus, the fossiliferous boulder conglomerate, the basal unit of alluvium marks a disconformity between the lower glacial-boulder layer and upper fluvial sediments. The fossiliferous basal boulder conglomerate is being of middle Pleistocene age Khan 199. On the merits of detailed study of sediments Quaternary deposits of Narmada valley divide.In Narmada three distinct group of sediments viz. glacial, fluvio-glacial and fluvial; are identified their age, litho constituents, environments of deposition and associated geomorphic elements are given in the Table I below: Glacial environment Glacial deposits "GD".
In Narmada Rift system, presence of the Katni Formation with angiosperm flora suggests that sedimentation continued during Mio-Pliocene in localized lakes. The relative disposition of such lakes and subsequent deformation and structural dislocation on oscillating valley platform clubbed with rifting and faulting during Quaternary period has shifted the site of the lakes towards the present alluvium-covered area between Harda and Jabalpur as presumed: where as the present study of various aspects of Quaternary blanket in SONATA lineament ZONE reveled that quaternary sedimentation was a sequential and continuous process in rift valley system from Mio-Pliocene Pleistocene time, has deposited complete sequence of glacial, fluvio-glacial lacustrine and fluvial deposits with changing environments and climate in time chronology. The present disposition of quaternary blankets in Son Narmada Tapti and Purna basin is due to post deposition Quaternary tectonics which is solely responsible for dislocation, faulting and shifting of different blocks and distorting quaternary blanket ecology in rift system. The occurrence of Boulder bed and Boulder Conglomerate in Son Narmada Tapti and Purna with similar rock assemblages and suites of rock fabrics, heavy mineral assemblages, in critical and crucial sections across the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE strongly support tearing and rifting of quaternary blanket during late Pleistocene time. The presence of thick boulder bed in Harda inliers area, such as at Chandgarh and north east of Barwaha, boulder bed in confluence are of Tapti and waghur around Khadgaon in Tapti valley Khan et.al (1984) supports this assumption.
The Narmada Rift System provides a unique setting for Quaternary geological sedimentological pedological paleontological and archeological investigations which indicates human origins and evolution. Skeletal and cultural remains of hominids have been recovered from many locations within the basins. The Important paleontological paleo-anthropological and archeological sites occur within the Narmada Rift System. The most of localities occur on the rift floor in between Jabalpur_Harda, in the east and Barwaha _ Rajpipla in the west in the valley.
The remarkable preservation of faunal and floral remains in the Pliocene-Pleistocene sedimentary rocks was possible because of quick burial by sediments. Moreover, these source rocks of rift system the Quaternary sediments and interbedded tuffs provided the necessary chemical components for the preservation of the fossils during digenesis. There is a strong link between these dynamic processes, rapid sediment deposition, and fossil preservation. The most important primary and contextual data (fossils and artifacts) were embedded and preserved in sedimentary deposits until the recent exposure by tectonic driven erosional processes. The time-stratigraphic data obtained from tephra interbedded with fossiliferous Quaternary sedimentary deposits provided an important framework for the study of hominid origins, evolution, adaptations, and cultural changes. The paleoantoological Paleo-anthropological information from these localities is remained closely associated with Quaternary sedimentary deposits boulder conglomerate and boulder bed often related to the trench Quaternary sedimentation, formation and development of rift and linear basin caused by repeated uplift, and the development of rift basins that began in the middle to late Pliocene and Pleistocene period. The unfortunate part of theses deposits is that due repeated tectonic dislocation and faulting they are dislocated and distorted and are concealed under the thick pile of sediments of present and paleo domain of Narmada of late Pleistocene and Holocene time. These deposits do not provide adequate opportunity to researcher to study the human remain as postulated, except limited section where they are exposed.
The Jabalpur-Harda sction posses the complete sequence of all three domain of sediments in increasing antiquity from the bottom of the rift trench Boulder bed (glacial), Boulder conglomerate (fluvial-glacial) sediments of paleodomain of Narmada (fluvial). The intense tectonic activities within the basins of the Narmada Rift System during the Neogene and Quaternary periods have destroyed fossil record except the fossiferous horizons exposed in river sections. The erosional-sedimentary cycle has persisted in the rift valley environment for millions of years as a result of the interplay between depositional and erosional forces driven by tectonic processes; there are numerous gaps in the fossil record, particularly in the important time period between Mio-Pliocene Pleistocene times. It is pertinent to the understand the origin of Hominid during the late Miocene, but it is difficult to disclose mysteries of human evolution in Narmada due to concealed nature of these deposits in rift system, however the complementary part of Tapti-Purna Quaternary blanket may be potential and possessive of human remain and should be studied to trace further the imprints of fossil man taking in to account of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE as single ecosystem for evolution of man in Indian subcontinent. However, evidence of the effects of tectonics on fauna and flora are distinct and their signatures on concealing strata of fossiliferous horizons of boulder conglomerate are uncontrolled and ill defined in the ecosystem in the valley during the Pliocene-Pleistocene periods. The boulder conglomerate which yielded the skull cap of Homo eructs in Narmada rift from Hathnora Sonakia (1984) remained only discovery of hominid fossil in last two and half decade due to concealed and hidden nature of Mio-Pliocene Pleistocene deposits in rift system and inconsistency in exposure of fosiliferous horizon due faulting, dislocation and subsidence of Quaternary blanket of Narmada.
The Boulder Conglomerate which is of fluvio-glacial origin and has yielded human skull from Sonakia (1982) Khan & Sonakia (1992) is exposed impersistently in scarp section of Narmada at few places only. The type section of Boulder Bed and Boulder Conglomerate which are potential sediments of human remains of Pliocene Pleistocene time are hidden and concealed under sediments of present and paleo-domain of Narmada in the valley. The quaternary sequence and depth of occurrence of skull cap rate of sedimentation of Hominid locality Hathnora (22 o 52"77 o 52") ( 325 m) India, has been correlated with the Quaternary of Luochuan ( 90-120 m) Chenjiawo at the depth of (50m ) and Congwanling sequenceat the depth of ( 36 m ) of China on unified Quaternary platform, tied up and developed at mean sea level to ascertain the depth of occurrence and of age of skull cap of Narmada Homo erectus Sonakia (1984), which is recovered from at the depth of ( 83 m ) in quaternary coloumn of Narmada Khan et.al (1213) indicates that the human skull Homo erectus of Narmada is oldest in Asia.
The boulder conglomerate at Hominid locality Hathnora consist of stratified hard compact basal unit comprising of rook fragments of different shape and size of granite, quartzite, sandstone, agate, chalcedony, chart, basalt and calcareous nodules tightly cemented in the matrix of brown, red and grayish sand and silt. These rock clastics constitute various sub-litho units and are supported by grey and brownish, cross bedded sand. The sub-litho units consists of mostly pebble supported horizons which contains vertebrate fossils, stone implements, like chopper, scraper hand axes and core flakes mostly of quartzite, flint, chalcedony and quartzite. The rock basin of Narmada is occupied by the Quaternary sediments of three domains viz. glacial, fluvio-glacial and fluvial which were deposited in distinct environments during Quaternary time. The glacial deposit comprised of thick pile of sediments occupied base of rock basin and was deposited by glacial activities in dry and cold climatic condition during early Pleistocene time. The boulder conglomerate constitute fossiliferous horizon of Narmada, deposited in fluvio-glacial environments (interglacial). It is a marker horizon of Quaternary sedimentation in Narmada Valley and as well in Central India, its disposition and relation with other deposits in the valley, indicates a significant change in regional climate from cold dry to warm and humid, during which the sediment were re-worked from glacial front intermittently and deposited in the valley over a very long time. The skull cap of Home erectus (Narmada Man) and other fauna recorded along with calc-nodules within the boulder conglomerate; suggest that warm climatic phase prevailed long time. The Lantian hominid cranium at Gongwangiling was found in silty loess at the depth of about 26 m. and it Luochuan standard sequence the fossil bearing stratum un-doubted to the middle part of silty loess L-15 which at Luochuan was dated to be 1.09 to 1.20 m.y.r. The hominid fossil and associated faunas were discovered in the middle part of silty layer; the age of the fossils at Gongwanling can be pinpointed narrowly to 1.15 m.y.r. This dates differs from the earliest (0.75-0-80 m.y.r.) of Ma. et. al. (1978) and from 1 m.y.r. estimate of Cheng et. al. (1978). The Lantian fossil hominid at Gondwangling is considered as earliest Homo erectus in China. Ho Chuan Kun (1986).
In India Narmada basin considering the one of a main loci of Quaternary sedimentation, and assuming the uniform accumulation rate of sediment in the basin in the line of Ma.  The results statistical analysis of Quaternary deposits of Narmada of Hominid locality Hathnora Section I-IV where the average measured thickness of exposed and concealled quaternary deposits is about 325 m. (22°-52 "N-77° 52" -E) Narmada Valley Central India .
The Geomorphology of Fluvial terrces their salient and digonestic elements are described in Table No
The Tapti-Purna alluvial basins evolved as two separate basins of fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation, connected subsequently. The work on basin frame work, lithostratigraphy and neotectonics have been well documented by Adyalkar, (1975); Ravishankar (1987, 1995); Dubey and Saxena (1987); Tiwari and Mukhopadhyay, (1989); Tiwari, (1990Tiwari, ( , 1996. As per records and merits of earliear worker it was presumed that Tapti -Purna were two seprate basin of sedimentation the present studies taking entire quaternary sedimentation of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE as single ecological system besides the tectonics on the either side of Satpura, it revealed that the area of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE formed a single locus of sedimentation and there was contionus and sequential deposition of sediments from Pleistocene to Upper Pleistocene time it is witnessed by quaternary events morphogenetic expression disposition of river terraces their mutual correlation relation, lithostratigraphic correlation across Narmada , Tapti -Purna and Son valley. Khan (in press). The Narmada and Son are two linear basins north of Satpura and Tapti-Purna is single eliptical trench which has provided a patform for sedimentation. The expression and fregmented disposition of quaternary blanket of Son Narmada, Tapti and Purna is due to tearing faulting dislocation subsidence and up rise of various blocks and reactivation of structural fabrics with in the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE.
Studies further indicate evolution of Tapti basin during Pleistocene tectonic activity (Rahate & Khan, 1985). The Narmada, Tapti and Purna basins thus represent graben structures developed during Pleistocene with steep faults on one side and a set of step faults on the other margin (Nair et al, 1988). Neo-tectonic activity is inferred along many of these faults, suggesting that the faults are still active (Khan et.al 1984, Khan 1993,Ravi Shankar and Dubey 1984Tiwari, 1985).It is further revealed that there are six major lineaments viz Son-Narmada, Tapti, Khandwa, Dhar, and Shahdol, a number of minor lineaments were also identified.
The Tapti -Purna grabben is situated on soutern margin of satpura, where Tapti is main which originates from the Satpura ranges in the north east of Damjpura. It is formed by mingling of numerous perennial streams draining from the various points in the Satpura ranges forming the stream in the mountainous tract itself; after debouching from the hills the river follows a straight or sinuous course, the sinuous index being of the order of 1.35. In the area under study commencing east of Bhusawal, the Tapti flows west in a straight to sinuous pattern forming conspicuous stepped sequence of fluvial terraces, besides several other geomorphic features, both of the erosional and the depositional domains in the alluvial tract and the older Deccan traps country. Pascoe (1964) and Krishnan (1968), assigned Pleistocene age of the Quaternary deposit of Tapti basin. Venkatraman (1969) studied the mineral potentiality of the area. The present study is an attempt has been to fill up gap in basic information by giving an account the geomorphic events and processes in particular reference to the evolution of geomorphology geomorphic units and understanding the evolution of the landscape in space and time.
The Quaternary sequence of Tapti consist of three units viz. boulder conglomerate, older alluvium and younger alluvium.The boulderconglomerate form the base of exposed section indicating break in sedimentation. It is equivalent to boulderconglomerate of Narmada and other river of Paninsular River.The area depicts four geomorphological units in viz, present day flood plain of the Tapti and the Vaghur rivers, terraces of the Tapti and Vaghur, the ravenous tract, and the mounds of Deccan trap. Each unit is characterized by diagnostic geomorphic expression of landform elements. The geomorphic features identified in the area are point bars, sand bars, channel braids, relict scarps, alluvial bluff, rock cut benches and braided channels. The study suggests the presence of a NW-SE trending fault along the Vaghur river. This is indicated by the distribution of geomorphic surfaces, landform elements, anomaly in the channel morphology, association of entrenched meander displacement in the fluvial surfaces, association of rock cut terraces and distinct variation in ground water condition on either banks of the Vaghur, evidence of neo-tectonic activity along this fault are reflected by tilting and shifting of terrace blocks, dislocation and displacement in sub-litho units of terrace deposits of both of the Tapti and Vaghur rivers.
The Deccan basalt is overlain by boulder conglomerate and the contact of these two formations is seen in the Vaghur river section near Kadgaon. The thickness of conglomerate varies from 2.5m around Kadgaon to about 16 m on the left bank of the Vaghur, northeast of Shelgaon near the confluence of the Vaghur and the Tapti at Kadgaon (21 09: 75 41 30) area  which is equivalent to the boulder conglomerate of Narmada and its 16 m section in the the Kadgaon area is exposed on the left bank of the Vaghur river, directly over lying the Deccan Traps and is exposed due to faulting. The contact of these two formations in this area is very sharp and infilling of the cavities and erosional hollows over the lava surface by the sedimentary material are seen at several points. Some of the fillings are of concretionary material indicating that both exogenic and endogenic processes were involved in the formation of the infillings.
The boulder conglomerate in this area consists of sub-rounded to rounded discoidal, tabular and bladed rock fragments, ranging in size from small pebble to boulders of dark greenish black basalt, grey vesicular basalt, quartzite quartz, agate, chert and jasper in an unopposed matrix of coarse to fine sand, silt and clay. Three sub-litho units of 1.5 m , 0.5 m and 0.5 m thickness respectively are identified from bottom to top in the boulder conglomerate, primarily on the size gradation of the coarser clastics.
The older alluvium comprises the flood plain deposits in the paleo-domain of the Tapti and occupies large area along the Tapti and the Vaghur. This unit overlies the conglomerate bed and at places directly rests over the Deccan trap. The exposed thickness of this unit varies from 5 to 20 m and the average thickness is 14.5 m as studied in the river section. It consists of yellowish brown, brown clay and silt with bands of fine sand. Broadly two sub-litho units can be identified. The basal member consists chiefly of reddish brown, silt and clay. The upper sub-unit is dark yellow to dark brown clay with sub-ordinate amount of silt. The exposed thicknesses of these two units are about 15 m. These units are horizontally bedded and contain intercalated bands of reddish silty and clay and grayish matrix. These bands are quite persistent in nature and vary in thickness from 5 to 8 cm. The calcareous layers are commonly associated with these deposits in the area. These units display variation in composition vertically column. The upper horizons are predominantly clayey in nature, whereas the lower horizons are silty in composition and often contain thin layers of fine sand and occasional calc-layers.
The younger alluvium represents active flood plain deposits of the Tapti and its tributaries. These deposits are restricted to the present day channel courses and adjoining to land area. It consists predominantly of sand, with lenticular beds of highly assorted boulders, cobbles, pebbles of basalt, quartzite, quartz, agate, jasper and chert. The inferred exposed thickness of this deposit in the area is about 5 m.
The study of various aspects of Quaternary blanket, its configuration and extension revealed the deposition of the sediments has been taken place in elongated oval depression tapering to wards west in linear converging trench. The sediments were deposited on oscillating and persistently sinking platform in related with mechanism of adjustment of various blocks in tectonic zone. The quaternary terraces and associated landform elements are the illustrative manifestation of tectonic changes in water shade region during Quaternary time. The Tapti tectonic zones south of Satpura possess imprints of Neotectonisam and geothermal manifestation.
The Purna valley comprised of thick pile of Quaternary deposits consisting of five lithostratigraphic units" viz. Ferruginised gravel and Sand, Red Silt Formation, Brown Silt Formation, Light Grey Silt Formation and Dark Grey Silt Formation. As compared to this, Tapti Basin which has only three units viz. Boulder Conglomerate, Older Alluvium and Younger Alluvium, the Older Alluvium further divided in to three units viz Brown Silt Formation, Light Grey Silt Formation and Dark Grey silt formation. This suggests that sedimentation in Tapti basin started earlier in Early Pleistocene whereas in Purna basin sedimentation commenced later in Upper Pleistocene; the Tapti -Purna formed single locus which was hospitable to the sedimentation. The Tapti quaternary deposits in present set up are at higher positition but it embodied the older deposits which form base with rock basin which appears to be due to tectonic uplift and reactivation of Tapti lineament Khan (1982)   it is contradictory to the openion of (Tiwari, 1996). The quaternary deposits of wardha upper Pleistocene-Holocene age( 50 m ) (Tiwari 1985) forms the eastern fringe of Tapti Basin, it is seprated from Tapti-Purna basin by episodes activation of the eastern block during Quaternary period Khan ( in press). The present studies within single geomorphic ecology and in hormony of sedimentation in increasing antiquity revealed that Tapti-Purna was a single basin which formed a mega tectonic depression which was hospitable to Quaternary sedimentation from Plesistocene to Upper Pleistocene -Holocene.
Quaternary studies in Tapti-Purna valley region have further indicated presence of a depression along Yaval-Adavad-Akot-Bawanbir area, through which an arm of the Arabian Sea (?) extended causing salinity in this region. The depression was filled up by sedimentation. Neotectonic activities resulted in further deepening of this basin and as a result alluvium at places reached below present mean sea level. Similar situation has also been observed locally in the Narmada Valley which further witnessed that Tapti-Purna was single basin and there was contineous sedimentation from Pleistocene to Upper Pleistocen-Holocence time. The present frame work of the basin is due to Quatenary tectonics and reactivation of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE.
Tapti has sculptured the alluvial tract into stepped sequence forming four alluvial terraces along its course. These are designated as TAT-0 to TAT-3, the TAT-0 being the youngest terrace and TAT-3 the oldest terrace. TA stands for Tapti river and T0-T3 are terrace numbers. These terraces are separated by the scarp both curvilinear and linear in nature facing towards river side. These are abandoned flood plains represent the level of former valley floor in the area, and were formed by climatotectonic changes in the watershed of Tapti in the Quaternary times.In the Vaghur three terraces are identified. These are mainly erosional terraces and were formed in the alluvial fill of the Tapti by subsequent stream Vaghur by cyclic incision. These terraces are much younger than the terraces of Tapti. The Tapti exhibits swelling and pinching nature along its course, in the area at an alternate stretch which appears to have been controlled by the concealed structural element. The width of the channel in the area varies from 250 m to 600 m. The widest course is 325 m near Bharkheda. The diagnostic landforms and features identified in this unit are active flood plains, point bar, channel bar, channel braids, lateral bank cutting and incisional scarp. The disposition of these landform elements has given the braided appearance to the channel, which perhaps indicates the heterogeneity of the present river bed and also its decrease in load carrying capacity towards the later phase in the history of channel system.
The Vaghur is a tributary of the Tapti which rises from the Deccan Upland of the Ajanta ranges near Firdospur which drains across the southern Deccan pediment of these ranges, joines Tapti near Shelgaon. The stream is straight of sinuous in nature in the upper part, it became sinuous to meandering in the area under study displaying tight meandering pattern of index order of 1.52. The various land forms and features identified in the Vaghur are point bar sand bar, meander scar, incisional scarp of active flood plain. The landform elements consist of unconsolidated surrounded to rounded rock fragments of basalt, quartzite, quartz chart and jasper with course to fine sand. The vahour meets with Tapti at Shelgaon.In the around confluence and down stream of Tapti the following evidences of neotectoisam have been recorded. The Vaghur has a northwest-southeast course and displaying typical meandering in the channel course before joining east-west flowing Tapti river near Shelgaon. During the course of investigation the following observations are recorded indicating thereby possible existence of a fault.
The association of rock cut benches and scar at lower level along the left bank of the Vaghur near Kadgaon, indicates anomalous high kinetic condition of channel system towards later phases in the history of the river sedimentation and this reactivation in the stream kinetics indicates some movement along NW-SE trending fault.
The tilt in some of the terrace blocks, towards east or west by about 5 in the paired terraces on either side of the bank of the Vaghur away from the channel in the vicinity of Shelgaon, indicates up warping in the area, perhaps due to release of accumulated energy/movement along the NW-Se trending fault/lineament.
In Shelgaon section of Tapti, perceptible displacement in the various sub-litho units of gravel and sand beds has been seen which indicate the recent movement in the area along the NW-SE trending fault. The association of entrenched meander with the Vaghur river course north east of Kadgaon suggests reactivated entrenchment of the river bed by the channel, perhaps due to sudden up warping of the area in recent past. A shift of about half of 3.5 meter in the terrace block north east of Shelgaon is also one of positive evidences of neotectonic activity in the area. The geothermal aspects of the area were also taken in account in deciphering the possible existence of a fault and associated neotectonics activity in the area.
The study revealed that structural attributes of Tapti-Satpura region, Ravishankar, (1987), that Tapti (Tiwari, 1985). Absence of signatures of seismic activity in the Quaternary fill and uninterrupted sedimentation between these neotectonic episodic movements is conspicuous and indicates that a part of foundering of the sedimentary basins had occurred with a seismic creep.
In Tapti basin the bouler conglomerate occurs as persisten horizon at the base of quaternary deposit which represents specific phase of sedimentation in the basin, it is time equvalent to the boulder conglomerate of Narmada revealed that the sedimentation on eithr edge of Satpura and in the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE was contamparary and simultaneous, which further revealed quaternary deposits of Tapti are of early to middle Pleistocene in age and related to the early reactivation of Tapti lineament.The association of rock cut terraces, rock cut benches, strent lines and rock cut sacr in Tapti and waghour rivers demonstrate mighty reactivation of Tapti lineament during the early stages of sedimentation. The cyclic reactivation has vertically cut country rocks in to rock cut benches in stepped sequence; where as in the Purna valley is a gape has been created by reactivation of Tapti-Purna linament which was convering point of accumulation of sediments. The sequential analysis of deposits and its relation with drainage and its evolution revealed that it was a persistent locus which was hospitable to sedimentation. The basin of Purna constitutes hanging drainage and configuration of basin is closed which is cotractory to the openion of (Tiwari, 1985) & Ravishankar, (1987). In the present work the collective and comprehansive study of Quaternary deposits and river terraces in lineament zone , Khan et.al (1982, (1984) Khan (1991),) (1992) Khan (1985), indictae that Sonata linement zone has a eliptical and elongated depressinon emerge by repeated reactivation of faults and initial sedimentation has been taken place in single ecology and a composite quaternary blanket was formed in Central India. The prsent disposition and expression of this blanket is frementd and has conceived its position with repeated tearing, faulting, up rise and subsidence of various blocks due cyclic reactivation of different fabrics of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE (In press).
The Geomorphology of Fluvial terrces their salient and digonestic elements are described in Table No  The Son River at 784 kilometres (487 mi) long is one of the largest rivers of India. Its chief tributaries are the Rihandand the North Koel. The Son has a steepgradient (35-55 cm per km) with quickrun-off and ephemeral regimes, becoming a roaring river with the rain-waters in thecatchment area but turning quickly into a fordable stream. The Son, being wide and shallow, leaves disconnected pools of water in the remaining part of the year. The channel of the Son is very wide (about 5 km at Dehri on sone) but the floodplain is narrow, only 3 to 5 kilometres (2 to 3 mi) wide. In the past, the Son has been notorious for changing course, as it is traceable from several old beds near its east bank. In modern times this tendency has been checked with the anicut at Dehri, and now more so with the Indrapuri Barrage In Bihar.
The Son (784 km long) is one of the longest rivers of India and the longest of the southern tributaries feeding into the River Ganges. It flows, as does the Narmada River, along the line of a major E-W tectonic lineament, the Narmada fault (Williams and Royce, 1982). The Son valley in north-central India preserves extensive Quaternary alluvial deposits, these deposits includes the sediments of paleo domain and present domain of Son besides colluviums deposits along the obsequent slope of Vindhyan upland. The boulder conglomerate / gravel bed is also identified at the base of these deposits in the valley. These deposits are associated with lithic assemblage ranging from Lower Paleolithic to microlithic, a rich corpus of fossilized faunal remains, and ash deposits from the 74,000 year-old Toba supereruption. The Middle Son valley preserves a long and rich record of hominin occupation from all periods of the Palaeolithic that is rarely paralleled by other sites in India. Quaternary sedimentary sequences are exposed throughout the valley and incision of these deposits by the Son river has resulted in the exposure of extensive cliff sections, some 38 m-high ( Thapar, 1979). Geological studies revealed the quaternary blanket of Son comprised of four disctinct formations each is characterized by distinct lithology,lithic assembelage rock clastics and sand,clay & silt matrix.These formations in increasing antiquity are Sihawal, Patpara, Baghor and Khetaunhi formations, the latter being the most recent Royce, 1982, 1983;Clarke, 1984, 1995). The Son river chiseled three terraces across the quaternary deposits which form the stepped sequence in the valley separated by linear or curvilinear scarp. These terraces are designated as ST0 to ST3 between the elevations of 280 to 310 m above the m.s.l. These terraces are both display convergence and divergence in their relative disposition in the valley and are cyclic and non cyclic in nature. Table No QGMT-12 to 14.
Four formations have been historically ascribed to the alluvial deposits of the Son Valley. In chronological order they are: Sihawal Formation, Patpara Formation, Baghor Formation and Khetaunhi Formation ( [Williams and Royce, 1982], [Williams and Royce, 1983], [Williams and Clarke, 1995] and [Williams et al., 2006]). The geological context of the incised terrace is unclear, mainly due to the absence of absolute dates and robust stratigraphic correlation (Jones and Pal, 2009).
Several models have been proposed for the geomorphological evolution of the alluvial plain of the Middle Son Valley through the period Early Pleistocene to Late Holocene ( [Williams and Royce, 1982], [Williams and Royce, 1983], [Williams and Clarke, 1995] and [Williams et al., 2006]). These authors analysed the large-scale evolution of the river based on differences between the four formations and distinct climatic regimes. A stratigraphical model (at 1 km scale) of the emplacement of all the four formations within the river basin was also proposed by Williams and Clarke (1995) and modified by Williams et al. (2006).
The Quaternary blanket of Son Valley is located 100 km south from Allahabad and 130 km southwest of Varanasi, in north central India (23.00 to 24.00° 78.00 to 80.00 N) it is deeply incised in to river terrace related with cyclic tectonic adjustment of various segments and blocks in SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE. These terraces are designated STo to ST3 in between 280 m to 310 m above m.s.l increasing antiquity from the river bed.The exposed thickness of quaternary deposits is about 30. The study of the linament and structural indicates that Son negotiate its course along the strong ENE-WSW to E-W trend which is sympathetic to the trend of Narmada and Tapti.The structural febrics display the imprints of neotectonisam which is reflected in landscaping of Quateranry terrces of Son river. These terraces display both convergence and divergence in their relative disposition in the valley and are cyclic and non cyclic in nature. Table No  The area of lineament zone studied tectonically encompasses two crustal provinces of Central India Shield, namely, the Northern Crustal Province (NCP) and the Southern Crustal Province (SCP). The two provinces are separated by a crustal level shear zone, referred as Central Indian Suture.The zone has been a major locus of episodic tectonism with evidences of reactivation. The E-W to ENE-WSW trending Narmada and Tapti lineament from a prominent tectonic belt (SONATA) in midplate continental India. The Narmada tectonic line and its presumed eastward extension, Son, have been considered as a major Precambrian deep crustal features (Auden, 1949;West 1962) and possibly a palaeo-rift (Nayak 1990) extending hundreds of kilometer in E-W direction recognized the Narmada lineament as a rift at its western ends however, its eastward extension and the relative timing of the Narmada rifting and Daccan Trap eruption remained unknown. The western extremity of Narmada Rift valley falling in Quadrangle 46I, 46 J, 46 M, 46 N covering an area about 45000 sq. km bounded by latitude 22 00 00 to 24 00 00 N and longitude74 00 00 to 76 00 00 has been studied  which indicate repeated cyclic and intermittent eruption of basltic lava along ENE-WSW to E-W trending lineament and its mechanisam. The base of basaltic lava and its contact with underlying Proterozoic rocks is exposed south of Jhabua (46J), the thickness of basltic lava sheet increses to wards South -East and East. The basaltic lava eruption is cyclic and intermittent and digonestically related with the mechanisam of tectonic activity of lineament zone.The collective study of tectonic set up, lava eruption quaternary sedimentation, surface manifestation and geo-physical data revealed that the Son-Narmada and Tapti lineament together represent an intraplate rift with a central (Satpura Block) horst bounded on either side by grabens: the Narmada graben on the north and the Tapti graben to the south. In Narmada and Tapti-Purna graben areas the faults are listric. These listric normal faults cut across the basement, the Gondwana sedimentary formations, the overlying Daccan flows and the Quaternary deposits. The Quaternary blanket in Narmada, Tapti and Son has imprints of neoseismic signatures which revealed that area is still active.
The study of tectonic set up of Narmada valley, surface manifestation and geo-physical data shows that the Son-Narmada and Tapti lineament together represent an intraplate rift with a central (Satpura Block) horst bounded on either side by grabens: the Narmada graben on the north and the Tapti graben to the south (Mishra et al, 1999). In certain areas (especially in the Tapti area) the faults are listric. These listric normal faults cut across the basement, the Gondwana sedimentary formations, the overlying Daccan flows and the Quaternary alluvium The Narmada Graben is located in between Jabalpur _ Bharouch covering an area of about 17950 sq. km which falls between longitudes 72°32' and 81°45' east and latitudes 21°20' to 23°45' north, on the northern edge of the Deccan Plateau. The average width of graben is about 32 km and length is about 1320 km. It is found to be ideal locus of Quaternary sedimentation in Central India as witness by multi-cyclic sequence of Quaternary terraces in the valley. The general elevation of Narmada alluvial plain varies between 265.7 and 274.3 m above the sea level. The general gradient of this plain in this stretch is about 1m /Km towards West.
The Narmada conspicuously has straight course is controlled by ENE_WSW to E_W lineament, is bounded by Vindhyan in the north and Satpura in the south it is exposed the repeated post erisional and depositional activities and subjected to anisotropic and asymmetric tectonic dislocation which has culminated diversified morphogenetic units and region which further undergone to process of tectonic evolution and chiseling of terrain by dynamic erosional and depositional activity resulting in and shaping the terrain into various morphogenetic units and land form element, configuration of drainage, topography, physiographic , erosional platform, planation surfaces, denudation ridges, structural units linear valleys, strike hills, valley gapes, escarpments and river terraces. The cumulative dynamics of structural deform, rinsing and sinking platform of Narmada has also manifested concealed cyclic mechanism of tectonics and geothermic activity, seiesmicity, neosiesmic events and in surface manifestation. In addition the valley gapes and valley trenches provided ideal sites for sedimentation for formation of quaternary platform, pediment, pediplain, peniplain and river terraces.
The Narmada Rift valley formed a linear trench in the middle of Indian subcontinent was an ideal loci for accumulation of sediments.The rift trench is intruded by the dolerite and other mafic and siliceous dykes and sills along lineaments in different phases of tectonic deformation. The Quaternary sedimentation incepting from glacial activity, followed by fluvio-glacial, lacustrine and fluvial phase within the rinsing and sinking environment, block faulting and segmental and linear displacement and dislocation, uplifting and isolated domal up-lift, Neogene rifting and Quaternary sedimentation and rift-bound Pliocene-Pleistocene rifting and volcanic activity specifically during glacial and fluvio-glacial phase are major component of the Quaternary period and tectonic processes of the Narmada Rift System which form the base of quaternary deposits.The Narmada rift system basin platform provided a unique setting for dynamic ecosystems that were characterized by Rift-related subsidence and coeval sedimentation also created an ideal loci of Quaternary sedimentation and environment for the accumulation of sediments volcanic fabrics sediments, burial, digenesis, and preservation of organic remains. Because rifts formed after widespread Quaternary sedimentation occurred and voluminous sediments in the rift basins were accumulated by glacial activity consequential upon the lowering of temperature and climatic changes.
The Narmada has in the area under study has sculptured the alluvial tract into stepped sequence forming four alluvial terraces along its course. These are designated as NT0 to NT3, NT0 being the youngest terrace and NT-3 the oldest terrace where the sub terraces are designated NT2-A is NT2-B, NT2 B, besides NT2-C, NT3-A & NT3-B in increasing order of antiquity. These are both erosional and depositional terraces and confined at an elevation of, between 280 to 310-380, are separated by the scarp both of curvilinear and linear in nature facing towards river side. These are abandoned flood plains represent the level of former valley floor in the area, and were formed by cumulative climato-tectonic changes in the watershed of Narmada in the Quaternary times.
The Jabalpur-Harda sction posses the complete sequence of all three domain of sediments in increasing antiquity from the bottom of the rift trench Boulder bed (glacial), Boulder conglomerate (fluvial-glacial) sediments of paleodomain of Narmada (fluvial). The intense tectonic activities within the basins of the Narmada Rift System during the Neogene and Quaternary periods have destroyed fossil record except the fossiferous horizons exposed in river sections. The erosional-sedimentary cycle has persisted in the rift valley environment for millions of years as a result of the interplay between depositional and erosional forces driven by tectonic processes; there are numerous gaps in the fossil record, particularly in the important time period between Mio-Pliocene Pleistocene times. It is pertinent to the understand the origin of Hominid during the late Miocene, but it is difficult to disclose mysteries of human evolution in Narmada due to concealed nature of these deposits in rift system, however the complementary part of Tapti-Purna Quaternary blanket may be potential and possessive of human remain and should be studied to trace further the imprints of fossil man taking in to account of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE as single ecosystem for evolution of man in Indian subcontinent. However, evidence of the effects of tectonics on fauna and flora are distinct and its signatures on dislocation and concealing of fossiliferous horizons are uncontrolled and ill defined in the ecosystem in the valley during the Pliocene-Pleistocene periods. The boulder conglomerate which yielded the skull cap of Homo eructs in Narmada rift from Hathnora Sonakia (1984) remained only discovery of hominid fossil in last two and half decade due to concealed and hidden nature of Mio-Pliocene Pleistocene deposits in rift system and inconsistency in exposure of fosiliferous horizon due faulting, dislocation ad subsidence of Quaternary blanket of Narmada rift system.
The Boulder Conglomerate which is of fluvio-glacial origin and has yielded human skull from Sonakia (1982) Khan &Sonakia (1992) is exposed impersistently in scarp section of Narmada at few places only. The Tapti-Purna graben is located south of Satpurs which evolved as two separate basins of fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation, connected subsequently. The most conspicuous feature of the southern margin of the Satpura between longitude 74º and 78º is cospicous ENE-WSW to E-W trend of Tapti whci display local swing at places. These trends characterizing Tapti crustal block, confiorm to structural grain of the area reflecting the convergence of Tapti and Gavilgarh faults enechelon system traversing Satpura foot hills, with a southerly convexity. The Quaternary basin areas in Tapti Crustal block are characterized by relatively thinner crust with moho depth of 33-37 km, shallow basement (<1 km) with higher density (+0.239m) mantle derivatives emplaced at shallow level (4-5 km; Rao K.V., 1997).
The Tapti-Purna alluvial basins evolved as two separate basins of fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation, connected subsequently as per e records and of earliear worker. The present studies taking entire quaternary sedimentation of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE as single ecological system besides the tectonics on the either side of Satpura, it revealed that the area of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE formed a single loci of sedimentation and there was contionus and sequential deposition of sediments from Pleistocene to Upper Pleistocene time, it is witnessed by quaternary events morphogenetic expression disposition of river terraces their mutual correlation relation, lithostratigraphic correlation across Narmada , Tapti -Purna and Son valley Khan (in press). The Narmada and Son are two linear basins north of Satpura and Tapti-Purna is single eliptical trench which has provided a patform of sedimentation. The present expression and configuration and fregmented disposition of quaternary blankets of Son Narmada, Tapti and Purna is due to tearing, faulting, dislocation subsidence, up rise of various blocks and reactivation of structural fabrics with in the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE.
The Tapti has has sculptured the Quaternary blanket into stepped sequence forming four river terraces along its course. These are designated as TAT0 to TAT3, TAT0 being the youngest terrace and TAT-3 the oldest terrace increasing order of antiquity. These are both erosional and depositional terraces and confined at an elevation of, between 270 to 370, are separated by the scarp both of curvilinear and linear in nature facing towards river side. These are abandoned flood plains represent the level of former valley floor in the area, and were formed by cumulative climato-tectonic changes in the watershed of Narmada in the Quaternary times.
The study of various aspects of Quaternary blanket river terraces of Tapti, Purna and their tributaries their disposition configuration and extension revealed the deposition of the sediments has been taken place in elongated oval depression tapering to wards east in linear converging trench. The sediments were deposited on oscillating and persistently sinking platform in related with mechanism of adjustment of various blocks in tectonic zone. The quaternary terraces and associated landform elements are the illustrative manifestation of tectonic changes in water shade region during Quaternary time. The Tapti tectonic zones south of Satpura possess imprints of Neotectonisam and geothermal manifestation.
The Deccan basalt is overlain by boulder conglomerate and the contact of these two formations is seen in the Vaghur river section near Kadgaon. The thickness of conglomerate varies from 2.5m around Kadgaon to about 16 m on the left bank of the Vaghur, northeast of Shelgaon near the confluence of the Vaghur and the Tapti at Kadgaon (21 09: 75 41 30) area  which is equivalent to the boulder conglomerate of Narmada and its 16 m section in the the Kadgaon area is exposed on the left bank of the Vaghur river, directly over lying the Deccan Traps and is exposed due to faulting. The contact of these two formations in this area is very sharp and infilling of the cavities and erosional hollows over the lava surface by the sedimentary material are seen at several points. Some of the fillings are of concretionary material indicating that both exogenic and endogenic processes were involved in the formation of the infillings.  (Tiwari, 1996) and others. The quaternary deposits of wardha upper Pleistocene-Holocene age( 50 m ) (Tiwari 1985) forms the eastern fringe of Tapti Basin, it is seprated from Tapti-Purna basin by episodes activation of the eastern block during Quaternary period Khan ( in press). The present studies within single geomorphic ecology and in hormony of sedimentation in increasing antiquity revealed that Tapti-Purna was a single basin which formed a mega tectonic depression which was hospitable to sedimentation which was incepted from Plesistocene and continued up to Upper Pleistocene -Holocene time .
In Tapti basin the bouler conglomerate occurs as persisten horizon at the base of quaternary deposit which represents specific pahse of sedimentation in the basin. it is time equvalent to the boulder conglomerate of Narmada revealed that the sedimentation on eithr edge of Satpura and in the SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE was contamparary and simultaneous, which further revealed quaternary deposits of Tapti are early to middle Pleistocene in age and related to the early reactivation of Tapti lineament.The association of rock cut terraces, rock cut benches, strent lines and rock cut sacr in Tapti and waghour rivers demonstrate mighty reactivation of Tapti lineament during the early stages of sedimentation. The cyclic reactivation has vertically cut country rocks in to rock cut benches in stepped sequence; where as in the Purna valley is a gape has been created by reactivation of Tapti-Purna linament which was convering point of accumulation of sediments. The sequential analysis of deposits and its relation with drainage and its evolution revealed that it was a persistent locus which was hospitable to sedimentation. The basin of Purna constitutes hanging drainage and configuration of basin is closed which is cotractory to the openion of (Tiwari, 1985) & Ravishankar, (1987)? In the present work the collective and comprehansive study of Quaternary deposits and river terraces in lineament zone , Khan et.al (1982, (1984) Khan (1991),) (1992) Khan (1985), indictae that Sonata linement zone has a eliptical and elongated depressinon emerge by repeated reactivation of faults and initial sedimentation has been taken place in single ecology a composite quaternary blanket was formed in Central India. The prsent disposition and expression of this blanket is frementd and has conceived its position with repeated tearing, faulting, up rise and subsidence of various blocks due cyclic reactivation of different fabrics of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE (In press).
Quaternary studies in Tapti-Purna valley region have further indicated presence of a depression along Yaval-Adavad-Akot-Bawanbir area, through which an arm of the Arabian Sea (?) extended causing salinity in this region. The depression was filled up by sedimentation. Neotectonic activities resulted in further deepening of this basin and as a result alluvium at places reached below present mean sea level. Similar situation has also been observed locally in the Narmada Valley which further witnessed that Tapti-Purna was single basin and there was contineous sedimentation from Pleistocene to Upper Pleistocen-Holocence time. The present frame work of the basin is due to Quatenary tectonics and reactivation of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE. . The Son valley in north-central India preserves extensive Quaternary alluvial deposits, these deposits includes the sediments of paleo domain and present domain of Son besides colluviums deposits along the obsequent slope of Vindhyan upland. The boulder conglomerate / gravel bed is also identified at the base of these deposits in the valley. These deposits are associated with lithic assemblage ranging from Lower Paleolithic to microlithic, a rich corpus of fossilized faunal remains, and ash deposits from the 74,000 year-old Toba supereruption. The Middle Son valley preserves a long and rich record of hominin occupation from all periods of the Palaeolithic that is rarely paralleled by other sites in India. Quaternary sedimentary sequences are exposed throughout the valley and incision of these deposits by the Son river has resulted in the exposure of extensive cliff sections, some 38 m-high .The present studies revealed that the quaternary blanket of Son comprised of four disctinct formations each is characterized by distinct lithology,lithic assembelage rock clastics and sand,clay & silt matrix.These formations in increasing antiquity are Sihawal, Patpara, Baghor and Khetaunhi formations, the latter being the most recent Royce, 1982, 1983;Clarke, 1984, 1995). The area of study includes the river-cut cliffs in the alluvial zone between the confluence of the Rehi and Son rivers and Khunteli (or Khuteli). The reported YTT deposits (Acharyya and Basu, 1993] and [Jones and Pal, 2005) comprise a discontinuous tephra bed covering an area of ∼90 km2. Between Rehi and Ghoghara (first described by Williams and Royce in 1982), lateral variations within the ash deposits are minimal, and the ash layer appears repeatedly at a height between 4 and 6 m above the present river bed The Son river chiseled three terraces across the quaternary deposits which form the stepped sequence in the valley separated by linear or curvilinear scarp. These terraces are designated as ST0 to ST3 between the elevations of 280 to 310 m above the m.s.l. These terraces are both display convergence and divergence in their relative disposition in the valley and are cyclic and non cyclic in nature.
The Quaternary blanket of Son Valley in central India (23.00 to 24.00° 78.00 to 80.00 N) it is deeply incised in to river terrace related with cyclic tectonic adjustment of various segments and blocks in SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE. These terraces are designated STo to ST3 in between 280 m to 310 m above m.s.l increasing antiquity from the river bed.The exposed thickness of quaternary deposits is about 30. The study of the linament and structural indicates that Son negotiate its course along the strong ENE-WSW to E-W trend which is sympathetic to the trend of Narmada and Tapti.The structural febrics display the imprints of neotectonisam which is reflected in landscaping of Quateranry terrces of Son river. These terraces display both convergence and divergence in their relative disposition in the valley and are cyclic and non cyclic in nature.
In the present work collective and comprehansive study of Quaternary deposits and river terraces in SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE , Khan (1985), Khan et.al (1982), (1984) Khan (1991),) (1992) , Khan 1991, Yadav & Khan 1996. The Narmada valley embodied almost whole of the Quaternary deposits time span from the lower Pleistocene to Holocene (Khan & Sonakia (1992). Khan (1912) Sonakia (1984) is of fluvio-glacial origin Khan & Sonakia (1991) indictae that SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE has a eliptical and elongated depressinon evolued and emerged by repeated reactivation, the grabens evloved on either side of Satpura were contemarary and sedinentation was simultaoeous and composite in Central India.The prsent disposition and expression of these blanket is fregmented, has conceived its position with repeated tearing, faulting, due cyclic reactivation of different fabrics of SONATA LINEAMENT ZONE (2016).
The Narmada graben in specific posses the complete sequence of all three domain of sediments in increasing antiquity from the bottom of the rift trench Boulder bed (glacial), Boulder conglomerate (fluvial-glacial) sediments of paleo-domain of Narmada (fluvial). The intense tectonic activities within the basins of the Narmada Rift System during the Neogene and Quaternary periods have destroyed fossil record except the fossiferous horizons exposed in river sections. The erosional-sedimentary cycle has persisted in the rift valley environment for millions of years as a result of the interplay between depositional and erosional forces driven by tectonic processes; there are numerous gaps in the fossil record, particularly in the important time period between Mio-Pliocene Pleistocene times. It is pertinent to the understand the origin of Hominid during the late Miocene, but it is difficult to disclose mysteries of human evolution in Narmada due to concealed nature of these deposits in rift system, however the complementary part of Tapti ( 90-120 m) Chenjiawo at the depth of (50m ) and Congwanling sequenceat the depth of ( 36 m ) of China on unified Quaternary platform, tied up and developed at mean sea level to ascertain the depth of occurrence and of age of skull cap of Narmada Homo erectus Sonakia (1984), which is recovered from at the depth of ( 83 m ) in quaternary coloumn of Narmada Khan et.al (1213) indicates that the human skull Homo erectus of Narmada occurred at deepest and oldest sequence of quaternary deposit of Narmada is oldest in Asia.                               Composition/Litho constituents arranged in probable order of abundance / The rock gravel of river terraces range in size from boulder to small pebble. The finer clastics comprise of very coarse to very fine sand, silt and clay. These rock febrics are generally surrounded to well rounded and mostly spherical, oblate, prolate and bladed in shape.   Composition/Litho constituents arranged in probable order of abundance/ The rock gravel of river terraces range in size from boulder to small pebble. The finer clastics comprise of very coarse to very fine sand, silt and clay. These rock febrics are generally surrounded to well rounded and mostly spherical, oblate, prolate and bladed in shape.