International Field Workshop on the Marwar Supergroup, Rajasthan, western India (20 th -28 th January 2014)

First Circular International Field Workshop on the Marwar Supergroup, Rajasthan, western India (20 th -28 th January 2014) 17 th Century Mehrangarh Fort, made up of the Sonia Sandstone of the Marwar Supergroup standing on the Malani Igneous Suite, Organized by The Society of Earth Scientists www.earthses.org

Introduction The Society of Earth Scientists, invites geo-scientific community to participate in a field-workshop and conference on the Ediacaran-Cambrian Marwar Supergroup (MSG) of India. MSG is considered to be a part of the larger basin extended up to Salt Range in Pakistan and correlate with oil producing succession of Oman in the Middle East. During the last one decade, studies on the MSG in the field of biostratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology, isotopic geochemistry and palaeomagnetism have offered new challenges for the understanding of the Neoproterozoic biosphere, lithosphere, position of India during Rodinia assembly and its breakup, which encompasses the MSG, and record of plausible Neoproterozoic glacial signatures. The proposed conference and workshop intend to provide an opportunity to international geoscientific community to examine and discuss many of these issues. It will also address objectives of the ICS sub commissions on the Ediacara, the Cambrian and IGCP 587. Marwar Supergroup The Marwar Supergroup succession overlies Palaeoproterozoic- Neoproterozoic sequences known as Delhi Supergroup (1850 1750 Ma), Sirohi Group (~1000 Ma), Erinpura Granite (850 Ma) and Malani Igneous Suite (779-681 Ma). The sedimentary successions of the Marwar Supergroup are considered to have deposited in the Nagaur-Ganganagar Basin, which in turn are overlain by the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic sediments. The three broad divisions of the MSG are the Jodhpur Group, the Bilara Group and the Nagaur Group (Pareek, 1984). At certain places the Jodhpur Group of rocks are intruded by the felsic volcanics (Paliwal, 1998). The Jodhpur and Nagaur Groups are mainly siliciclastic, whereas the Bilara Group is constituted of carbonates. The thick beds of the evaporites, known as Hanseran evaporites, occur inter-bedded with the Nagaur Group of rocks (Pareek, 1984); Kumar, (1999) considered the sequence as time equivalent lateral facies variant of the Bilara Group. The Salt Range of Pakistan is considered also as the northern extension of the Nagaur-Ganganagar Basin. The evolution of the Nagaur- Ganganagar Basin is related with the Precambrian post Delhi orogeny and anorogenic activities between 740 ± 10 Ma to 600 ± 70 Ma and continued with the deposition of the Nagaur Group of rocks in the early Cambrian. The Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Oil India (the two Indian Oil Companies) and the Geological Survey of India (Kumar et al., 2005) have drilled a few bore-holes which have helped establishing the sub-surface geology of the basin. Therefore, the MSG is the distinct succession in peninsular India which started during Ediacaran Period and continued up to the Cambrian. Background In recent years, various aspects of the geology of the Marwar Supergroup have been reported. These studies have opened new vistas for the understanding of the evolution of Nagaur-Ganganagar Basin. Some of these studies have challenged established notions about the development of lithosphere and biosphere during the Neoproterozoic. These shifting paradigms have attracted several research groups from India and abroad to study and examine the sections of MSG. Some of the evidence of assembly and break-up of Rodinia Supercontinent are recorded in the Neoproterozoic history of north western shield of India (Torsvik et al., 2001; Roy, 2001; Vijaya Rao and Krishna, 2013). Palaeomagnetic studies conducted on the 2

Jodhpur Sandstone (= Sonia Sandstone) are contested (Poornachandra Rao et al., 2007; Paliwal, 2008). Basal part of the Jodhpur Group, known as Pokaran Boulder Bed, is exposed over a small tract at Pokaran. It is generally considered as fluvioglacial deposit of Marinoan age (Pareek, 1984, Chauhan et al., 2001); however its origin is widely debated as there is no equivocal evidence for the glacial deposits (Bhatt et al., 2005; Cozzi et al., 2012). Stable isotope studies of the carbonate successions suggest that the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary lies in the Bilara Group carbonates (Pandit et al., 2001; Maheshwari et al., 2001; Strauss et al., 2001; Mazumdar and Bhattacharya, 2004; Mazumdar and Strauss, 2006). However, there is difference of opinion whether the end Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian succession lies at the base of Dhanapa Formation or in the overlying Gotan Formation. Another study recorded the occurrence of the Treptichnus pedum, a marker boundary trace fossil, in the Nagaur Sandstone suggesting the Pc-C boundary in lower part of the Nagaur Sandstone (Srivastava, 2012a). Ediacaran assemblages of Sonia Sandstone include non-typical Ediacaran forms which deserve global attention. Interestingly, the spurt in the palaeobiological studies have demonstrated the occurrence of varied morphological features assigned to biological entities from the Sonia Sandstone. These ranges from well known algal/acritarch microfossils to enigmatic forms for which no clear affinity have been established. Some of the forms are assigned to Ediacaran remains (Raghav et al., 2005; Kumar et al., 2009; Kumar et al., 2012; De and Prasad, 2011; Srivastava, 2012 a, b, c; Kumar and Ahmad, 2012, a, b); Microfossils (Babu et al., 2009; Prasad et al., 3

2010). Trace fossils have been recorded from the Nagaur Group (Kumar and Pandey, 2008, 2010; Parihar et al., 2012; Singh et al., 2013).Variety of Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures (MISS) are recorded from the Jodhpur Group. Some workers consider them suitable for biostratigraphy (Kumar and Pandey, 2009), while others consider them only the sedimentary features mediated by microbes (Sarkar et al., 2008, 2012; Samanta et al., 2011). These MISS have opened a new window for sedimentological studies. Morphologically varied remains recorded from the MSG may interest many palaeobiologists to decipher their true potential in biostratigraphy and significance in evolution in the end Neoproterozoic and early Cambrian biosphere. Expectation of occurrence of Precambrian oil in Nagaur-Ganganagar Basin has attracted several oil exploration companies. Preliminary studies have reported occurrence of oil and their characteristics from the Bilara Group (Peters et al., 1995; Padhy and Singh, 1998; Sharma and Salim 2002; Mehrotra et al., 2008; Dutta et al., 2013). Field workshop The field-workshop would cover the entire succession of the Marwar Supergroup. Participants will assemble at the historical city of Jodhpur, also known as Sun City. The first day will be devoted to conference. Following eight days will be spent on the field. They will have an opportunity to examine one of the Large Igneous Province (LIP) of India known as Malani Igneous Suite (MIS). The sedimentary succession of the MSG overlies the MIS, Erinpura Granite, Sirohi Group and Delhi Supergroup. The field-workshop will cover sedimentological, palaeobiological and geochronological aspects of the Neoproterozoic succession transitioning into the Cambrian. It will allow observations as well as sample collections to be made on these sections for further studies. During eight days field-workshop participants will visit important Marwar localities in western India spread over Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts of the Rajasthan. Participants will spend pen-ultimate day on the sand-dunes in Jaisalmer city at Sum in tents, which offers traditional folkdance, folk art and opportunity to visit royal fort. The introductory and valedictory sessions will be conduced at Jodhpur; a world famous royal heritage city. The field-workshop is being organized by The Society of Earth Scientists. Those interested in participation in the International Field-workshop and conference on the Marwar Supergroup should fill the Preliminary Registration Form, scan it and send the same as an E-mail attachment or fax it as given below latest by 31 st July 2013. Those who respond to the Preliminary Registration Form will receive the second circular with other relevant details of the field workshop. Final Registration form along with the participation fee must reach before 30 th September 2013. For the logistic reasons, the numbers of seats are limited to 30. Participation fee can be directly transferred into the bank account of The Society of Earth Scientists or remitted through Cheque/Draft in favour of The Society of Earth Scientists, payable at Lucknow. Important Details Field workshop duration 20-28 th January 2014. Assembly (20 th January 2014) at Jodhpur. Field-work 21 st January to 27 th January 2014. Valedictory 28 th January 2014 at Jodhpur. (more details in second circular) 4

Participation Fee and Bank Details Foreign and Non Resident Indian Participants US$ 1,000 (US$ 200 + US$ 800) Accompanying Member US$ 600 Indian Participants Rs. 30,000 (Rs. 5,000+ Rs. 25,000) Name of the Bank : Punjab National Bank Bank Branch & Address : HAL Branch, Lucknow-226 016, U.P., India Bank Account no. : 2414000101337426 IFSC Code : PUNB0241400 SWIFT Code : PUNBINBBLHT (Participation fee includes registration kit, transportation, accommodation, food and board during the field workshop from assembly point at Jodhpur to dispersal point (Jodhpur). Jodhpur is well connected by Air to New Delhi and Mumbai and by train to all major cities of India). Weather: Weather remains cold and dry during January in northern and western India. All the spots to be visited during the field workshop would experience sunny days and cooler nights. Stay facilities: Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer have star grade hotel facilities where as the Nagaur has reasonably good stay arrangements. Accommodation will be arranged on twin-sharing basis in economy hotels and guest houses. Special stay arrangements can be made on request and on payment basis. Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourism destinations for International and National tourists. It offers heritage, culture, sand dunes, safaris, wildlife and national reserve forests. Jodhpur is famous for forts, whereas the Bikaner is known for havelis. Participants willing to enjoy the beautiful Rajasthan and stay beyond the fieldworkshop can make their own arrangements. Organizers can also help them with reservations. For further details contact www.rajasthantourism.gov.in; www.rtdc.in. I look forward to your participation in the field workshop. Mukund Sharma Organizing Secretary International Field Workshop on the Marwar Supergroup Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Uttar Pradesh, India Email: sharmamukund1@rediffmail.com Phone: +91-9839314630 (Mobile) +91-522-2742922 (Office) Fax: +91-522-2740485, 2740098 Please visit: www.earthses.org 5

References Babu, R. et al., 2009. Curr. Sci., 96, 1575 1577. Bhatt, D.K. et al., 2005. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 65, 301 308. Chauhan, D.S. et al., 2001. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 58, 425-433. Cozzi, A. et al., 2012. Jour. Geol. Soc. London Spl. Pub., 366, doi:10.1144/sp366.14 De, C. & Prasad, S., 2011. Ind. Jour. Geosci., 65, 241 242. Dutta, S. et al., 2013. Org. Geochem., 56, 68 80. Kumar, S. & Ahmad, S., 2012a. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 57, 135 142. Kumar, S. & Ahmad, S., 2012b. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 57, 159 162. Kumar, S. & Pandey, S.K., 2008. Curr. Sci., 94, 1081 1084. Kumar, S. & Pandey, S.K., 2009. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 54, 171 178. Kumar, S. & Pandey, S.K., 2010. Jour. Asi. Earth Sci., 38, 77 85. Kumar, S. et al., 2009. Curr Sci., 97, 703 705. Kumar, S. et al., 2012. Curr. Sci., 102, 24 26. Kumar, V., 1999. Scientific Publisher (India), Jodhpur, 34 60. Kumar, V., et al., 2005. G.S.I. Spl. Pub. 62,151 pp. Maheshwari, A. et al., 2001. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 57, 83. Mazumdar, A & Strauss, H., 2006. Precamb. Res., 149, 217 230. Mazumdar, A. & Bhattacharya, S.K., 2004. Geochem. Jour., 38, 163 175. Mehrotra, N.C. et al., 2008. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 72, 543 546. Padhy, P.K. & Singh, D., 1998. UNITAR Hannover, 2, 1589 1601. Paliwal, B.S., 1998. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 52, 81 86. Paliwal, B.S., 2008. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 71, 143 145. Pandit, M.K. et al., 2001. Gond Res., 4, 387 394. Pareek, H.S. 1984. Mem. Geol. Surv. India, 115, 1 95. Parihar, V.S. et al., 2012. Jour. Earth Sci & Climate Change, S12: 002. Peters, K.E. et al., 1995. AAPG Bull., 79, 1481 1494. Poornachandra Rao, G.V.S. et al., 2007. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 69, 901 908. Prasad, B. et al., 2010. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, 75, 415 431. Raghav, K.S., 2005. Ind. Min., 59, 23 30. Roy, A.B., 2001. Gond. Res., 4, 289 306. Samanta, P. et al., 2011. Jour. Asi. Earth Sci., 40, 542 549. Sarkar, S. et al., 2008. Precamb. Res., 162, 248 263. Sarkar, S. et al., 2012. Precamb. Res., 214-215, 210 226. Sharma, R.K. & Salim, Md. 2002. First APG Conf., 209 214. Singh, B.P. et al., 2013. Curr. Sci., 104, 706 707. Srivastava, P. 2012a. Proc. Indian Natn. Sci. Acad., 78, 161 169. Srivastava, P. 2012b. Intern. Jour. Geosci., 3, 1120 1126. Srivastava, P. 2012c. Ichnos, 19, 156 164. Strauss H. et al., 2001. Chem. Geol., 175, 17 28. Torsvik, T.H. et al., 2001. Precamb. Res., 108, 319 333. Vijaya Rao, V. & Krishna, V.G., 2013. Tectonophysics, 589, 172 185. Gotan Limestone, Bilara Group, the Marwar Supergroup 6

International Field Workshop on the Marwar Supergroup, Rajasthan, western India (20 th -28 th January 2014) Preliminary Registration Form Attention: Dr. Mukund Sharma Full Name Affiliation Mailing Address Country E-mail: Telephone: Country Code City Code Number Mobile Fax ; Male Female Nationality Passport No. Date of Issue Date of Expiry Participation: Confirmed Possible Probable Can t say Do you need specific invitation letter for Visa: Yes / No How do you propose to remit the participation fee by cheque/draft by Money transfer Date Signature of the participant Place Note: Completed form should be scanned and sent as an attachment through the E-mail or Faxed by 31 st July 2013. Fax: +91-522-2740485, 2740098; Email: sharmamukund1@rediffmail.com; india.ses@gmail.com 7

Patrons Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India Mr. Rasik Ravindra, Chairman, Society of Earth Scientists, India Organizing Secretary Dr. Mukund Sharma, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow, India International Advisory Board Prof. Loren Babcock, Geology Department, University of Lund, Sweden Prof. Sunil Bajpai, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow, India Prof. Graham Shields, University College London, UK Prof. Patricia Vickers-Rich, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Dr. S. K. Wadhawan, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata, India Prof. Shuhai Xiao, Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech, USA Organizing Committee Prof. S. Kumar, Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, India Prof. S. C. Mathur, Department of Geology, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, India Dr. M. Sudhakar, MoES, Government of India, New Delhi, India Dr. Satish C. Tripathi, General Secretary, Society of Earth Scientists, India Organized by The Society of Earth Scientists, C-207, Indira Nagar, Lucknow-226016 Uttar Pradesh, India Website: www.earthses.org E-mail: india.ses@gmail.com Phone: +91-522-2350138; +91-7607374176 Sponsored by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany ICS Subcommission on Ediacara ICS Subcommission on Cambrian IGCP 587 J.N.V. University, Jodhpur 8