Geology field visit report

1. PREVIEW OF STUDY TOUR :
The geology study tour arrange by our respected geology faculty, Dr.
P.D. Mali & Mrs. Machcha. Madam under the support of our respected
head of the department, to Osmanabad Caves & Ramling was arranged on
23/08/2014.
This field visit gave us a wider aspect about all the geological
concepts covered in the class session. Our class of SE-Civil consisting of
70 students approximately were taken to field visit location by arranged
buses.
Objective of study tour :
The rock specimens, samples were studied by everyone with keen
interest and a detail study was carried out. Mr. P.D. Mali sir and Machcha
madam were pouring in loads of knowledge and all the relevant technical
information about the minerals, rocks wherever necessary.
The rock and mineral formations studied were :
1) Vesicular structure
2) Amygdaloidal structure
3) Hard & compact basalt
4) columnar joints
5) Zeolitic Basalt.
6) To identify different volcanic layers
7) To observe waterfall
8) To identify potholes

2. DETAILED STUDY OF LOCATIONS WITH GEOLOGICAL
POINT OF VIEW:
I] DHARASHIV / OSMANABAD CAVES :
Dharashiv caves, also known as Osmanabad caves are located in
Osmanabad at an approximate distance of 2 Km south from Osmanbad.
Amygdaloidal Basalt & Zeolitic Basalt was the major geological
formation that was studied here.
The outer portions of the caves and also some interior portion
consisted of Amygdaloidal basalt & Zeolitic Basalt.
The primary rock was basalt and the vesicles were covered with
secondary mineral mainly calcite.
The caves have deteriorated due to high weathering action. These
caves resemble the caves at AJANTA & ELLORA but due to improper site
selection during the carving of caves, the caves have now deteriorated
completely.
ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE :
The visit and detailed study of the Dharashiv caves has led us to the
conclusion that amygdaloidal basalt is an improper rock upon which any
engineering structure cannot be constructed. Amygdaloidal basalt &
Zeolitic Basalt is highly susceptible to weathering, hence the caves
deteriorated gradually with the span of time.

3. II] RAMLING :
Things observed at Ramling :
1) Columnar Joints :
2) Waterfall :
3) Potholes :
Columnar Joints are present to a massive extent at RAMLING. Columnar
jointing is a geological structure where sets of intersecting closely spaced
fractures, referred to as joints, result in the formation of a regular array of
polygonal prisms, or columns. Columnar jointing occurs in many types
of volcanic rocks and forms as the rock cools and contracts. Columnar
jointing can occur in cooling lava flows and ash flow tuffs, as well as in
some shallow intrusions
ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE :
The study of Columnar Joints has led us to the conclusion that a site
consisting of Columnar Joints is not very suitable for any engineering
construction activity. This is due to the fact that Columnar Joints are not
hard and compact and are also prone to percolation and porosity.