On the Stratigraphy and Sedimentation of the Vindhyan Sediments in the Chitrakut Area, Banda District (U.P.)-Satna District (M.P.)

The lower Vindhyan sediments of Chitrakut area (Chitrakut Formation-Semri Group of Son Valley) are deposits of a tidal swept shallow sea, mainly in tidal flats under extremely stable conditions. They represent a special case of condensation horizons (condensed deposit) under conditions of exceptionally low rates of deposition and negligible sinking of the basin. The stromatolite assemblage suggests lower Riphean age and can be correlated to the Kajrahat limestone of Son Valley area. A marked depositional hiatus is established at the base of Kaimur at Sangrampur hill. Variation in the facies and absence of time plane index-horizons makes the correlation in the Chitrakut area very difficult. It is too early to suggest a generalized lithostratigraphy for the Chitrakut Formation.