Unconformity

Unconformity is a plane of discontinuity that separates two rock which differ notably in age. The
younger of these rocks are nearly ways of sedimentary in origin and must have been depositecd
on the surface of the older rock, which is the surface of erosion.

How it forms.
The formation of an unconformity may be attributed to three main processes like- Erosion,
deposition and tectonic-activity. The stages of its development involves-
(1) The formation of older rocks.
2) Upliftment and subaerial erosion of the older rocks.
3) The formation of a younger succession of beds above the surface of erosion.
Thus an unconformity is a surface of erosion or nondeposition that separates younger strata from
older one. It is accordingly regarded as a planner structure.

Description.
Usually the following characteristics are found to associated with unconformities:

(a) There is a difference in the lithological composition, thickness and order of superposition of
the overlying strata with respect to unconformity rocks
{6} Difference in age as-indicated by the fossil asseblages of overlying and underlying beds.
(c) Sometimes the underlying beds possess different dip and value than that of the overlying
beds.
. (d) The presence, in most cases, of a conglomerates horizon at bottom of the bottom ot the
younger set of beds.

Classification.
Unconformities have been classified into various types on the basis of the factors like :
(i) The relationship existing between the underlying and abovelying rock bed i.e. both the rocks
are sedimentary or one of them is igneous in origin.

(ii) The attitude of the underlying and overlying beds'

The various type of unconformity may be enumerated as follows-

 Angular Unconformity
 Disconformity
 Local Unconformity
 Non-conformity
 Blended Unconformity

Angular Unconformity
It is characterized by different inclinations and structural features of above and below the surface
unconformity' The sequence below the unconformity may be steeply inclined, folded and faulted.
This represents the older formations. The sequence above the surface of unconformity represents
the younger formations and may be either horizontal or gently inclined. Since the angular

 
 

deposition is different in the two sequences at the particular surface, the latter is commonly
referred as angular unconformity .

(2) Disconformity
It is that type of unconformity in which the beds lying below and above the surface of erosion (or
non-deposition) are almost parallel. In other word, there is no angular variation in the deposition
of the rocks of the entiie sequence . In these cases, there is generally no folding or faulting or
tilting of the strata. Such an unconformity becomes evident only after thorough investigations
involving drilling through the strata, recovery of cores and other representative samples,from the
deeper layers from which the evidence of erosion or non- deposition can be deciphered and
comparative study of the strata exposed in the nearby areas.

 
 

Local Unconformity
when an unconformity is traceable only in a small area or in a few rock formations of a given
area' it is termed as local unconformity. Evidently it is due to change in condition of
sedimentation in a very limited area of major basin.

Nonconforrnity
It is the term used for unconformity in a sequence of rocks composed of plutonic igneous rocks
(like granites) as older or underlying rocks and sedimentary or volcanic rocks as the overlying
younger or newer rocks. The non-conformity in cases surface of of contact between the rocks
having diff'erent mode of tormation.

Regional Unconformity:
When an unconformity is traceable over a large area, extending for hundreds of kilometers, it is
conveniently called a regional unconformity.It is generally of angular unconformity and it is of
great significance in historical geology as it establishes the genetic relationship of rocks of wide
area.

Some other less common types are-

(a) Blended Unconformity: It is a type of unconformity in which there is a thick layer of
residual soil present between two layers which marks the sharp contact between the sequence.

 
 

b. Breakup unconforrnity: This type is generally observed in basins createcl by the faulting.
These basins often get filled up by salts evaporites rising as piilars and domes in the basins,
which are then covered by the layer of younger sediments. The break in sequence is always
known as break up unconformity.

(c) Buttress unconformity':

It is similar to breakup unconformity in that it is rerated to fault generated basins and scarps. But
in this case the material that fills up the basins fast is the elastic material derived from
surrounding rock thereby creating an unconformable contacr. The Interarc basins are the ideal
places for such unconformities.

Detection of Unconformity:
Presence of unconformity in a sequence of rocks may be established by one or more of the
following features that may be observed during fieldwork.

1. Angular relations. when the layers of a sequence on either side of a contact are not parallel an
unconformity is indicated. When pronounced tilting and/or folding or faulting is easily, observed
in the rocks on one side of the contact, the presenie of the angular unconfbrmity is confirmed.

2. Basal conglomerate'. New deposition in basins is generally indicated by the presence of a

layer of conglomerates made up of rounded, semi-rounded pebbles and gravels. These are
indicatire of shallow water conditions. As such, when during the field study of a sequence of
rocks, a lay.er of conglomerate of any thickness is observed, it indicates an unconformity at the
base of the layer

3. Residual soil. Presence of a layer of residual soil (which is always a product of weathering r
within a sequence of rocks is also indicative of_erosion having taken place during the deposition
of period of their particular sequence.. So position of soil layer within a sequence of rocks is a
likely location of the unconformity.

(4) Other Evidences. The contrasting behaviour of rocks on either side of a particular contacr
surface with respect to induration, type and degree of metamorphism , intensity of folding and
the fossil content are some other features that help in confirmimg contact surface as
unconformity.