Facies Analysis and Depositional Environment of Pokaran Saline Rann, District Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

Pokaran Rann occupies an area of 12.0 sq. km in Jaisalmer District of Rajasthan, resting over the basement rocks of Marwar Supergroup. Five distinct litho-facies are recognized in a basin developed along E-W-trending linear stretch of palaeo-course after calcification. The base of the sequence consists of inter-laminated clay /gypsite unit. This unit grades into carbonate-rich clay showing pede-calcic pedogenesis. After a break in sedimentation, highly bio-turbated clays were deposited probably during a prominent humid phase. This was followed by present day semi-arid climatic conditions which resulted in the formation of silt to silty-clay deposits.