Geology of Bihar and Jharkhand

Geological interest in the States of Bihar and Jharkhand springs from two major factors. The region is endowed with vast and diverse mineral resources, housed in a variety of geological formations. In fact, all the major geological formations of the Indian Peninsular Shield find representation in the two States. Secondly, a major part of Bihar State forming part of the Great Himalayan Foredeep, fed by the Ganga and its tributaries provides rich agricultural lands that combine their high fertility with challenging hydro-dynamic problems posed by annual flooding and episodic shifting of river courses. This basin has a great potential for gas and also oil, in addition to groundwater resources. These considerations and their great socio-economic relevance have led to large investments on geological exploration for more than two and half centuries. Vast amount of data has been generated through these efforts and writing a text book on the "Geology of Bihar and Jharkhand" is rendered challenging. The effort has, nonetheless, its rewards, in providing new and emerging vistas of crustal evolution through time of one of the most classical terrains in the Indian Shield. The author, therefore, feels honoured by being chosen by the Geological Society of India to write this book and he fondly hopes that the book will prove him worthy of the trust bestowed on him. He would like to express his gratitude to the Geological Society of India and in particular to Dr. B.P. Radhakrishna, President of the Society, for the encouragement and support received in preparing this book.