Geomorphological and Geological Investigation of Neotectonic Activity of Saryu River Fault (SRF), a Part of North Almora Thrust (NAT) in Seraghat-Basoli Area in Central Kumaun, Uttaranchal

Significant evidences of neotectonic activity have been observed in Seraghat-Basoli area along the Saryu river valley in the Central Kurnaun Lesser Himalaya. The geomorphic and structural features indicate that the Saryu River Fault (SRF) in the area has displaced North Almora Thrust(NAT) and is still active. The tectonic rejuvenation of the NAT and SRF has resulted in the development and deformation of tectonic landforms such as unpaired terraces, tectonic flats, fault scarps and triangular cones and facets. The strike slip movement along the SRF fault has resulted not only straightening of the Saryu river course but the course has also been shifted from NW-SE to almost N-S direction, particularly between Naichan and Seri. The uplift of fluvial terraces by 44 mat Nali and deposition of almost 3 5 m thick siltymud and silt the beginning of the deposition of levee flood plain at Ara suggests that the area is tectonically active Shifting river courses, stretching and straightening of river channels and the levee flood plain depositional environment indicate that the neotectonic activity in controlling this domain of NAT.