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

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.

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.