Lithofacies correlation in Early Permian fluvial Gondwana stratigraphy of southeastern India using cross-association statistics

Abstract

The cross-association statistical technique is used to correlate major and minor lithofacies and the corresponding facies areas in the widely separated two borehole log profiles of Early Permian succession from the Kaghaznagar and Kothagudem sub-basins of Pranhita–Godavari Graben (PGG) of southeastern India. The one-to-one correspondence of the cross-association of major lithofacies and facies areas is strikingly similar and matches significantly more than expected. It indicates the continuity of single homogenous succession deposited under an identical depositional environment in the widely separated two sub-basins of PGG. However, the dissimilarity between the micro-lithofacies, on the other hand, suggests a different sub-environment through space and time. The significant correlation of major lithofacies and facies areas of the two sub-basins suggests meandering stream depositional facies model of the Early Permian Barakar succession in PGG. It may also provide information regarding the exploration of coal. The dissimilarities of cross-association at the micro-lithofacies level may reflect the differential subsidence through space and time.