Ichnology of the Goradongar Formation, Goradongar Hill Range, Patcham Island, Kachchh, Western India

• DOI: 10.1007/s12594-014-0116-0
• Publication Date: 2014-08-13T14:29:41Z
• Authors: Satish J. Patel; Jaquilin K. Joseph; Nishith Y. Bhatt
• Keywords: Ichnology

Abstract:The middle Jurassic Goradongar Formation exposed in Goradongar hill represents a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate succession with shales and limestones. They contain a large number of well preserved trace fossils. Total 44 ichnospecies of 31 ichnogenera; representing diverse ethology, were grouped in five ichnoassemblages (Planolites, Palaeophycus, Gyrochorte, Rhizocorallium and Arenicolites assemblage). These recurring ichnoassemblages represent the Cruziana ichnofacies and occasionally a mixed Skolithos-Cruziana ichnofacies. Patterns of diversity and density of the trace fossils reveal changes in bathymetry, oxygen level, trophic level and the sub-strate conditions at the time of deposition. These paleoenvironment and palaeo-oceanography changes are co-relatable to world-wide Bathonian-Callovian (middle Jurassic) deposits.