{"title":"Study on Rock Characteristics for Assessing the Hydraulic Erodibility of Sandstones in the Manahari River Section, Sub-Himalaya, Central Nepal","authors":"Jit Bahadur Gurung, N. Tamrakar","doi":"10.3126/bdg.v24i.68374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/bdg.v24i.68374","url":null,"abstract":"The long-term erosion of the bed rock is steered by the power of the stream of variable magnitude and frequency which would give us the idea about bed rock incision and its channel morphology. Large numbers of infrastructural development work such as roads, bridges are undergoing in the Manahari Area. Hence, hydraulic erosion of the rocks is always a topic of interest while carrying out these construction works. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine the hydraulic erodibility of the Siwalik rocks under the action of stream power. Erodibility of the rocks and the stream powers of the Manahari River were determined by extensive field survey and laboratory analysis of rock material properties. Rock mass strength, block particle size, discontinuity/inter-particle bond shear strength, the shape of materials units, and their orientation relative to the flow were assessed to determine erodibility of the rocks. The longitudinal and cross-sectional surveys were carried out to find out the hydraulic parameters to calculate the erosive power of the stream i.e., slope of the channel surface, hydraulic radius, and velocity. The erodibility index ranges from 22 to 198 on the basis of their rock mass properties whereas the stream power value ranges from 1 to 6 kW/m2. The value of the stream power obtained at the bankfull condition at different flow time intervals i.e., 10, 25, 50, and 100 years ranges from 5 to 25 kW/m2. With this range of stream power at different time interval flow, the Manahara River has the capacity to erode maximum of the sandstones present in the riverbed as all the values of the erodibility plot above the threshold line of erosion. However, the relation between the erodibility index and stream power at normal flow condition shows that the Siwalik sandstones of the study area are not erodible under the influence of the available stream power.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"35 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141928666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Comparison of Statistical Validity of In-Situ Hydraulic Conductivity Prediction Models of Rock Mass Inferred from Borehole Logs and Lugeon Test Data","authors":"Ujjwal Kharel, S. Panthee","doi":"10.3126/bdg.v24i.68376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/bdg.v24i.68376","url":null,"abstract":"In-situ hydraulic conductivity is a vital property in rock engineering for jointed rock mass. Understanding its correlation with rock mass parameters is crucial for water circulation. Therefore, a study was carried out to develop statistically significant empirical relationships between hydraulic conductivity and various rock mass parameters to estimate in-situ hydraulic conductivity from Lugeon test and various rock mass parameters obtained from borehole logs.The study initially aimed to establish a correlation between hydraulic conductivity and Rock Quality Designation (RQD). However, the outcomes were unsatisfactory, prompting further research. Later, two more robust models were developed, namely the HC-model and modified HC-model. The HC-model incorporated four rock mass parameters, including Rock Quality Designation Index, Depth Index, Gouge Content Designation Index, and Lithology Permeability Index, achieving a maximum coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.46. The modified HC-model included six parameters, encompassing fracture frequency and theoretical aperture, resulting in an improved R2 of 0.69. Both models significantly outperformed RQD-alone predictions (R2 < 0.10), highlighting the need for incorporating multiple rock mass parameters in predicting hydraulic conductivity due to a complex interplay of various factors. However, the effects of joint persistence and roughness are limiting in the present analysis.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"22 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141927249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Trends in the Study of Springs in Nepal: A Review","authors":"Gunanidhi Pokhrel, M. Rijal","doi":"10.3126/bdg.v24i.68377","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/bdg.v24i.68377","url":null,"abstract":"Springs, a component of groundwater systems, are a vital source of fresh water for fulfilling people's demand for drinking water, household uses, and irrigation, especially in the Middle Hill region of Nepal. Springs provide water for base flows and lifelines for many rivers originating from the Middle Hill regions. The present study reviews a recent trend of spring studies and investigations in Nepal through a systematic search of published and unpublished works related to springs, which are freely available. The results show 47 publications, out of 30 are published, and 17 are unpublished. The origin of published work is mainly related to project-related works, whereas unpublished works come from the academic sector for fulfilling academic criteria for thesis research. According to the physiographical division of Nepal, the study area falls in the Middle Hills of Nepal, with the maximum area located in Bagmati Province. Most of the studies that qualitative rather than quantitative information of springs. Studies are not linked with spring source and their seasonal dynamics. However, clearly available data, attributes and information about springs from 47 reviewed documents are noted. Systematic data generation and a standard framework for data collection are also missing. Nevertheless, out of 47 studies, including 11 published and 4 unpublished, the total number of springs per sq. km. in the Middle Hill region of Nepal is estimated as 2.57, which can be integrated after more research on future springs–related work.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"3 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141928974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. P. Phuyal, Madhusudan Sapkota, K. K. Acharya, M. Dhital
{"title":"Tectonic Stress Analysis of Shivnath-Salena Area, Using Stress Response Structure","authors":"K. P. Phuyal, Madhusudan Sapkota, K. K. Acharya, M. Dhital","doi":"10.3126/bdg.v24i.68375","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/bdg.v24i.68375","url":null,"abstract":"The geological mapping of the Shivnath-Salena area and structure analysis of the same area were conducted in the LesserHimalayan sequence, Far West Nepal, unveiling the characteristics of kinematics and the associated stress field in the region. Thearea comprises of the Salena Formation and Chachura Formation. The Salena Formation is sandwiched between the PachkoraThrust and Dudulakhan Thrust, and the Chachura Formation occurs between the North Dadeldhura Thrust and Pachkora Thrust.The Salena Formation is composed of light grey and white quartzite and black slates that are intensely deformed, with folds. The Malena Anticline and the Lamalek Syncline are the intraformational folds observed in the study area. Superimposed folding was also observed. The Chachura Formation comprises Paleocene to Late Eocene green sandstone, grey and purple shale, and approximately 1 m thick grey fossiliferous limestone. This study interprets stress-response structures to show the tectonic stress field in the Salena Formation. Twenty-seven fault slip data (slickenside) were collected in the field and used to determine the stress regime by applying the stress inversion technique. The direction of the maximum principal stress axes is interpreted as NE-SW. The average value of the stress index R' is about 0.30, indicating an extensional tectonic stress regime in the study area. As σ1 is vertical, R = R' in the study area suggests normal faulting in an extensional regime.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"57 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141926556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Paudyal, Ram Bahadur Sah, Prem Nath Paudel, Prakash Chandra Acharya, Mamata Sayami, Goma Khadka, Aneeta Thapa, K. Paudayal
{"title":"Water Management in Hariwan Municipality of Nepal: Groundwater Harvesting from Riverbeds and Aquifers","authors":"K. Paudyal, Ram Bahadur Sah, Prem Nath Paudel, Prakash Chandra Acharya, Mamata Sayami, Goma Khadka, Aneeta Thapa, K. Paudayal","doi":"10.3126/bdg.v24i.68372","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/bdg.v24i.68372","url":null,"abstract":"Most of the regions of the Siwalik and Northern Terai (Bhabar) have a scarcity of water due to the water level beyond the suction limit of ordinary centrifugal pumping. In the present study, the Lakhandehi River section in the Sarlahi district is selected for shallow aquifer prospecting. The objective of this study was to assess potential zones of shallow aquifers including riverbeds. It was also aimed to assess the status of the existing subsurface water conditions, and distribution system, and find out suitable locations for groundwater harvesting and uses. The methodological part of the present study covers the field data collection and finding the appropriate shallow aquifer for groundwater extraction. In the field study, both the geological as well as hydrogeological maps were prepared on a 1:25,000 scale to assess the aquifer condition. A social survey was also carried out to find the most water scarcity areas and water availability conditions in the region. The main water scarcity area is found in the Hariwan Municipality, around the northern part of Bhabar and the southernmost region of the Chure region. The water insufficiency area for the present study was found in the places like Hariyon Khola section (Dumrighari), Sano Dume and Dume Khola sections (Samari Bhanjyang), Kothi Khola section (Kothikholagaun), and Attrauli Khola section (Atrauli village) of Hariwan Municipality due to the presence of impermeable layers in shallow depth. The concept of the development of swamp wells by retaining the groundwater flow from the shallow depth of the river channel is proposed in areas like the Samari Bhanjyang and Atrauli villages. Similarly, the development of shallow wells is proposed for the other two regions. To ensure a cost-effective water supply to the communities, it is advisable to implement a water lifting system to elevate the reservoir, followed by gravity-flow distribution.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141927455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Local level Disaster Response in Nepal: Investigating the Government Agencies","authors":"S. B. Malla, R. Dahal, S. Hasegawa","doi":"10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33410","url":null,"abstract":"Effect of local level disaster response is always questionable in Nepal. It is because the capacity of local responding bodies' i.e. local administration, elected representatives and security forces is deficit. Overlooking own role and responsibility by public service offices such as health, water supply, road network, rural development, communication, education has overburdened the responsibility of CDO during disaster response and eroded the effectiveness of cluster approach. Similarly, over-reliance on security forces from relief and rescue to rehabilitation and reconstruction have also garnered lethargy amongst civil administration and public service offices wearing away their capacity. For that reason, it is utmost important that the prevailing tendency should be altered and derailed local level response mechanism should be brought into the right track.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121846188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Precise Location and Mapping of the Main Central Thrust Zone in Reference to Micro-Structures and Deformation along Khudi-Tal Area of Marsyangdi Valley","authors":"Lokendra Pandeya, K. Paudyal","doi":"10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33414","url":null,"abstract":"Geological mapping was carried out along Marsyangdi valley in the Khudi - Dahare -Tal area on a scale of 1: 50,000 covering about 142 square kilometers. Recent study aims to locate the Main Central Thrust (MCT) precisely based on lithostratigraphy, micro-structures, deformation, and metamorphism. Several thin sections were observed to study the metamorphism, deformation, and micro-structures developed in the rocks. The rocks sequences in both the Higher Himalaya and the Lesser Himalaya have undergone polyphase metamorphism and deformation. The Lesser Himalaya experienced first burial metamorphism (M1) followed by garnet grade inverted metamorphism related to the MCT activity (M2) followed by retrograde metamorphism (M3) whereas the Higher Himalaya has undergone regional high-pressure/ high-temperature kyanite/ sillimanite- grade prograde regional metamorphism (M1) followed by the (M2) related to ductile sharing which in turn is overprinted by the later post-tectonic retrograde garnet to chlorite grade metamorphism during exhumation. The polyphase deformation is indicated by the cross-cutting foliation and many other features. The deformation phase D1 is associated with the development of the bedding parallel foliation due to burial in both the Higher Himalaya and the Lesser Himalaya. Isoclinal folds and crenulation cleavage were developed before the collision is categorized as D2. Development of nearly N- S trending mineral and stretching lineation, south vergent drag folds, folded S2 cleavage and microscopic shear sense indicators, rotated syn- tectonic garnet grains, etc. were developed during the deformation D3 related to the ductile shearing through the MCT. Various brittle faults and shear zones cross-cutting all earlier features were developed during D4 during the upheaval. The rocks in the MCT zone are affected by intense sharing and mylonitization as indicated by the presence of many mylonitic structures in the thin sections throughout the Lesser Himalaya in the area. Features like polygonization and ribbon quartz with evidence of sub-grain rotation, mica fish, syn-tectonic rotated garnet grains indicate the ductile shearing in the MCT area suggesting the dynamic recrystallization in the MCT zone whereas rocks of the Higher Himalaya show the evidence of recrystallization under static condition. The MCT zone was mapped precisely based on the microstructures and deformation.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127921832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Geological and Geophysical Study in Udheri Khola Area, Nalgad Hydroelectric Project, Jajarkot District, Lesser Himalaya, Western Nepal","authors":"Indra Lamsal, S. Ghimire, K. K. Acharya","doi":"10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33409","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33409","url":null,"abstract":"Subsidence in carbonate rock is one of common and challenging action in terms of engineering construction. Geological study and geophysical investigation carried out in the intake area of Nalgad Hydroelectric Project Jajarkot, western Nepal Lesser Himalaya. The main objective was to identify the cause of subsidence in the intake area of Nalgad Hydroelectric Project, Jajarkot. Geological study of the area was carried to understand the lithology, thickness and structure of the area. \u0000The study area comprises two distinct rock units, namely, Dolomite Unit followed up by the Slate Unit. The Dolomite Unit is composed of light grey to grayish white stromatolitic dolomite which is thrusted over the Slate Unit near to Laikham village and Sepu Khola area. The Slate Unit is made up of grayish black to graphitic slate. A thin prominent calcareous horizon wasconfined between Slate Unit. \u00002D-Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) measurements were deployed in four different lines to investigate the cause of the subsidence in the carbonate terrain. A concentric very high resistivity patch shown by Tomogram ER-D-01 survey line was identified and interpreted as dry cavity. The result of the 2D- ERT survey was correlated with core log data of geotechnical exploration in the suspicious point to ensure the presence of karst in the Dolomite Unit at right bank of Nalsyagu Khola near dam axis of Nalgad Hydroelectric Project. The 2D – ERT survey together with geotechnical investigation is capable of identifying subsurface karst feature as the cause of surface collapse in the area.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"52 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125528268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Textural and mineralogical maturities and provenance of sands from the Budhi Gandaki-Narayani Nadi, central Nepal","authors":"Sanjay Singh Maharjan, N. Tamrakar","doi":"10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33408","url":null,"abstract":"The Budhi Gandaki-Narayani Nadi in the Central Nepal flows across fold-thrust belts of the Tethys Himalaya, Higher Himalaya, Lesser Himalaya, and the Sub-Himalaya, and is located in sub-tropical to humid sub-tropical climatic zone. Within the Higher Himalayas and the Lesser Himalayas, a high mountain and hilly region give way the long high-gradient, the Budhi Gandaki Nadi in the northern region. At the southern region within the Sub-Himalayas, having a wide Dun Valley, gives way the long low-gradient Narayani Nadi. Sands from Budhi Gandaki-Narayani Nadi were obtained and analysed for textural maturity and compositional maturity. The textural analyses consisted of determining roundness and sphericity of quartz grains for shape, and determining size of sand for matrix percent and various statistical measures including sorting. The analysis indicates that the textural maturity of the majority of sands lies in submature category though few textural inversions are also remarkable. Sands from upstream to downstream stretches of the main stem river show depositional processes by graded suspension in highly turbulent (saltation) current to fluvial tractive current, as confirmed from the C-M patterns. The compositional variation includes quartz, feldspar, rock fragments, mica, etc. The quartz grain percent slightly increases from the mountains to the lower relief areas. The percent feldspar decreases rapidly whereas the percent rock fragment decreases gradually along the downstream transport of sediment. The Budhi Gandaki-Narayani Nadi sands range from sublitharenite to lithic arenite composition in QFL diagram, and are remarkably poorer in feldspar compared to rock fragment. Among the rock fragments, the high-grade metamorphic rock fragments are dominant in the upstream stretch of the main stem Narayani Nadi stretch while the sedimentary lithics are remarkable in the downstream stretch. The QFL plots also show that the studied sands belong to recycled orogeny provenance and agree with the current tectonic setting of the Himalayas. Mineralogically, the sands (MMI=100%–203%) are not as matured as the normal sands. MMI fluctuates along downstream distance due to mixing of sediments from the major tributaries at various places along the main stem river.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127795704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Geology of Shantipur-Wami Taksar Areas of Gulmi-Baglung Districts, Western Nepal","authors":"S. Sapkota, P. Gaire, K. Paudyal","doi":"10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BDG.V22I0.33412","url":null,"abstract":"The study area represents a small part of the Lesser Himalaya in western Nepal and lies about 346 km west from Kathmandu. It covers 250 km area representing some parts of Gulmi and Baglung districts. The area was selected for the present study on the impression from the previous geological map that has showed some metallic mineral resources like iron, copper and lead in the region. Similarly, studies reveal that there is very complicated geological structure which raised the interest for the study. Main objective of the study was to prepare a geological map of the area in a scale of 1:25,000 and study the possible mineral deposits. An extensive geological mapping was carried out in the field covering at one data within one centimetre of the map scale and large number of samples was collected for the petrographic as well as ore genesis studies. The rocks of the region were mapped under two geological units as the Nourpul Formation (older) and the Dhading Dolomite (younger). There are a series of folds in the area. From regional to micro-scale all folds are trending towards east-west. The Badi Gad Fault and the Harewa Khola Thrust are the regional scale thrust mapped in the area. The Badi Gad is considered as a strike-slip in nature. The Harewa Khola Thrust is probably an imbricate fault. It has propagated to the north which is out of sequence in nature. Some metallic minerals like copper and iron along with old working mines were observed during the study. Occurrences of copper and iron mineralization has been mapped and described. Present study revealed that copper mineralization is limited within the veins and boudinage forms as hydrothermal deposit while the iron is tabular and syngenetic in nature.","PeriodicalId":356325,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of The Department of Geology","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127497309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}