PALEOGEOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION OF KERALA BEACH PLACERS, SOUTHWEST COAST OF INDIA

Consequent on the critical changes due to west coast faulting, western ghat orogeny, lateritisation, neotectonic movements and marine transgressions and regressions, a scheme of paleogeographic designs demonstrating geomorphologic developments along coastal zone of Kerala has been proposed. Sea level changes, fluvial disturbances in the coastal zone, formation of kayals (lagoons in the coastal plain) and variabilities in beach sediments are addressed. It is also argued that the genesis of Chavara black sand deposit is associated with the separation of the Chertala sands. Prognosis map prepared shows the migration route of placer minerals and their anticipated richer zones.