Primary depositional and diagenetic features in the banded iron formation and associated iron-ore deposits of Noamundi, Singhbhum district, Bihar, India

The Banded Hematite Jasper (BHJ) Formation of Noamundi region in Bihar, belonging to the lower part of the Iron Ore Group of early Precambrian age (c. 2900–3200 Ma), exhibits numerous primary depositional and diagenetic features, both in BHJ as well as the associated iron ore deposits. Observed primary depositional features include banding and bedding of different geometric-types, surface-markings including interference ripple-marks, current crescents, linear markings, scour-and-fill structures, etc. and within-mass microstructures such as spherulites, granules, discs and maculose cylindrical bodies. Diagenetic features, such as fabric changes, micro-dessication structures, gravity-density features, etc. and motion-and-disruption features of various kinds are also seen. The significance of various features in terms of probable mode and environments of deposition of BHJ and the iron ore beds has been considered. In general, shallow water environment of deposition in a region proximal to the shoreline with a rather steep paleoslope of the shelf has been surmised.