Stratigraphy of the Gondwana Formations in the Chintalapudi Sub-Basin, Godavari Valley, Andhra Pradesh

The Chintalapudi sub-basin, in the southeastern part of the Pranhita-Godavari Valley, was hitherto believed to contain mainly the Kamthi Formation of the Lower Gondwana Group. Recent geological mapping has brought to light the existence of the upper Gondwana sequence consisting of Kota and Gangapur Formations and also the occurrence of new areas of Talchir and Barakar Formations. Revised stratigraphic succession shows, in ascending order, Talchir, Barakar, Kamthi (Lower Gondwana). Kota and Gangapur Formations (Upper Gondwana). The Gondwana sediments are disposed in a NW-SE trending' graben affected by longitudinal and transverse faults. The Barakar Formation is identified over an area of 130sq km in Ayyanapalem-Sattupalli-Pakalagudem area, Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh. Stratigraphic drilling near Sattupalli has established the presence of coal seams with in a depth of 325 m in this newly identified Barakar Formation. The preliminary study of coal seams indicates that the coal is of Class III to Class IV type. The present study has established a new coal belt around Sattupalli in Chintalapudi Subbasins and this find is expected to augment the coal resources of the Godavari Valley considerably.