Evaluation of micro-weathering index and weathering grade of diverse geomorphic features of proterozoic terrain applying Schmidt hammer

ABSTRACT

The Upper Subarnarekha Kangsabati Interfluve (USKI) belongs to the eastern margin of CGGC, which is part of East Indian Shield. This Proterozoic (1.72–1.87 Ga) terrain had have experienced intensive weathering processes over the long period under different climatic conditions. A total number of 965 Rebound (R) value were collected from eight geomorphic features located in the USKI. In the present study, an attempt has been made to synthesize the history and variation in intensity of weathering using Schmidt hammer (SH). The degree of weathering is calculated using micro-weathering index, which is formulated on Schmidt hammer R-values, collected from deeply weathered (DW) and relatively less weathered (RLW) rock surfaces. The results of the study revealed the different response of diverse types of rock to the geomorphic processes. The weathering grade of each identified geomorphic features has been computed and the results revealed that seven features belong to moderately weathered (grade III) out of eight identified features. The present study is a unique attempt considering multi-cyclic evolution of CGGC to understand the degree of weathering of these studied features, belonging from USKI. This study helps to understand the weathering grade of studied features in quantitative way.

KEYWORDS:

• Schmidt hammer
• Micro-Weathering index
• rebound value
• weathering grade
• upper Subarnarekha-Kangsabati interfluve
• hypsometric integral

Acknowledgments

We are very thankful to Susanta Mandi, State Aided College Teacher, Department of Geography, Arsha College, Purulia, West Bengal India for his field assistance. The authors are beholden to the respectable earth scientists their contribution and remarkable research work on this region, which enriched and encouraged us to conduct this kind of unique study. We also thankful to the Department of Geography, University of Calcutta for provide us proper research friendly environment.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.