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• The inclusion of hydrogen in the existing energy mix for global Net-Zero target is discussed. • Prospects and feasibility of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in India are presented. • The connection between the human development index, hydrogen energy, and carbon footprint is emphasized. • Indian geological basins and formations suitable for UHS are highlighted. • Technical data, regulations, and policies to explore the opportunity of UHS are described. The world is combating climate change by adopting a low-carbon energy mix and pursuing a net-zero target. Being the third-largest CO 2 emitter, net-zero target for India is crucial for global decarbonization. Hydrogen is a promising fuel for the future to aid in this transition, but its storage is a significant challenge. Surface-based storage options are inadequate and expensive, making underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in geological formations a more practical solution for its ample storage capacity and economic feasibility. Herein, this review critically investigates (i) the possibility of surplus renewable energy storage in India, (ii) UHS's applicability to store this surplus energy, and (iii) scientific aspects, feasibility, and challenges with suitable geological storage locations for storage of hydrogen in India. This review starts with briefing 'net-zero' at both the global and national (India) levels. The urgency for green energy is highlighted by the disparity between the Human Development Index and ecological footprint. The Indian hydrogen market and the production of green hydrogen from renewable resources are also discussed. The review discusses UHS storage types, reservoir and fluid parameters, and flow behavior, including physiochemical, geochemical, and microbial interactions. Based on the geological basins and formation, availability and capacity of renewable energy sources, the potential of UHS in India is analysed. This review also provides vital information including technical data, regulations, initiatives, and policies needed to explore the opportunity of UHS and its development. Finally, the article presents challenges and opportunities for UHS development and emphasizes the need for continued research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Linzizong Group (64–44 Ma) of the Lhasa Terrane in Tibet is critically positioned for establishing the paleoposition of the southern leading edge of the Asian continent during Paleogene times and constraining onset of the India–Asia collision. Here we report paleomagnetic results from a collection comprising 384 drill-core samples from 34 sites embracing all three formations of this group. Comprehensive demagnetization and field tests isolate characteristic remanent magnetizations (ChRM) summarized by overall tilt-corrected formation-mean directions of D = 183.6°, I = −12.4° ( α 95 = 8.1°) for the Dianzhong (64–60 Ma), D = 1.0°, I = 18.1° ( α 95 = 8.1°) for the Nianbo (60–50 Ma), and D = 12.4°, I = 23.2° ( α 95 = 7.3°) for the Pana (50–44 Ma). Fold tests are positive in each formation suggesting a pre-folding origin and we interpret the magnetizations as quasi-primary and acquired at, or slightly later than, formation of the Linzizong Group. Revised Paleogene paleopoles with Ar–Ar age constraints for the Lhasa Terrane indicate that onset of the India–Asia collision occurred no later than ∼60.5 ± 1.5 Ma at a low paleolatitude of ∼10°N. Analysis of 60 site-mean observations from a range of studies of the Pana Formation in the higher part of the succession highlight a large dispersion of ChRM directions; a number of possible causes are suggested but further study of this formation over a wider area is required to resolve this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shallow marine sedimentary sequence of the Jaisalmer Basin exhibits one of the important and well-developed Tithonian sedimentary outcrops for western India. The ichnology and ichnofabric of the lower part of Bhadasar Formation (i.e., Kolar Dongar Member) belonging to Tithonian age are presented and discussed. The Kolar Dongar Member represents a shallow marine succession that contains 16 ichnotaxa: Ancorichnus ancorichnus, Conichnus conicus, Gyrochorte comosa, cf. Jamesonichnites heinbergi, Imponoglyphus kevadiensis, Laevicyclus mongraensis, Monocraterion tentaculatum, Ophiomorpha nodosa, Palaeophycus tubularis, P. bolbiterminus, Phycodes palmatus, Planolites beverleyensis, Rhizocorallium isp., Rosselia rotatus, R. socialis, and Teichichnus rectus. The ichnofabric analysis divulges five distinct ichnofabrics, each typifying distinct depositional environment within shallow marine conditions. The ichnofabric Ophiomorpha 1 with syn-sedimentary faulting exemplifies high energy conditions typical of lower shoreface environment, whereas the Ophiomorpha 2 ichnofabric typifies upper shoreface environment. The Ancorichnus ichnofabric reflects lower offshore condition of deposition. The high ichnodiversity Ancorichnus- Rosselia ichnofabric is indicative of inner shelf conditions, while low ichno-diversity Teichichnus ichnofabric indicates prevalence of low energy brackish bay environment. Thus, Tithonian Kolar Dongar Member indicates depositional environment ranging from shoreface to offshore to inner shelf and finally to brackish bay environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleo-Meso Proterozoic Gwalior basin (E - W), lying to NW fringe of Bundelkhand massif is represented by litho-package of lower arenaceous Par Formation and upper chemogenic Morar Formation. It is bounded by Indo-Gangetic alluvium in north and east, Kaimur sediments in west and Bundelkhand granitoids in south. Gwalior Basin has been the exploration target for uranium mineralization right from early 60's. Surface radioactivity anomalies due to uranium has been reported in both Par and Morar Formations of Gwalior Group and Vindhyan sediments. Besides presence of syngenetic uranium in the system, presence of post-depositional faults and fractures are the favorable factors. Aeromagnetic survey was carried out by AMD in 2002 with N-S lines of 500 m interval covering 9406 line km. The data with sampling interval of 0.1 sec was corrected for spikes, diurnal variation, IGRF, heading and lag. Final processed images are prepared after suitable leveling and gridding. First vertical derivative of TMI-RTP and tilt-angle derivative images are used to map the litho-contacts, lineaments and structural features. Numerous NE-SW trending low amplitude and NW-SE trending high amplitude magnetic linears corroborate with quartz reefs and basic dykes respectively. Besides, E-W to WNW-ESE and ENE-WSW trending fractures are also evident from the processed image maps. Further, the Euler's depth solution of gridded aeromagnetic data calculated for structural indices of 0 and 1 are very consistent in locating the position of the causative sources. Based on the amplitude and textural character of processed aeromagnetic data, alteration zone is delineated well within the Morar Formation. Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) image with 30m resolution was merged with IRS PAN 1D (5.8 m resolution) for better spatial/radiometric resolution to extract litho-contacts and lineament patterns. Merged PAN band-4 after linear contrast and edge enhancement techniques deciphered detailed lineament pattern, which corroborate the magnetic data. Merged ETM+ (RGB 751) and PC (PC1-PC2-PC5) images depict litho-logical contrast. Integration of aeromagnetic and satellite imagery data helped in understanding the structural fabric of the Gwalior Basin and to identify favorable loci of uranium mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The case study from the Early Permian coal-bearing Barakar Formation in the East Bokaro sub-basin of Jharkhand, India demonstrates that the non-parametric geostatistical method of cross-association can give a reliable lithostratigraphic correlation of borehole or outcrop profiles, at a confidence level of at least 95%. The inclusion of lithofacies details in the stratigraphic criteria does not necessarily enhance the correlation and may actually render it less reliable, because the main lithological units vary internally on a local scale and their lateral variability is virtually irrelevant to basin-scale correlation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Hazad Member (Middle Eocene) of the Ankleswar Formation in Cambay Basin, India, is traditionally reported as deltaic system. Present work documents three major facies associations, namely, (i) sandstone-rich upper delta plain (FA-1) deposits, (ii) sandstone-mudstone heterolithic lower delta plain-delta front (FA-2) deposits, and (iii) shale-dominated prodelta (FA-3) deposits, in an overall coarsening-up to fining-up succession. Tidalites are well preserved in FA-2 and are represented by laterally accreted tidal bundles, tidal beddings and vertically accreted tidal rhythmites, described from drill core samples in this communication. Laterally accreted tidal bundles with reactivation surfaces in sand-dominated heterolithic units indicate time-velocity asymmetry in subtidal condition. Tidal beddings and tidal rhythmites in mud-dominated heterolithic units, associated with asymmetric/symmetric ripple forms and desiccation cracks, indicate periodic subaerial emergence in intertidal flat depositional setting. Systematic analysis of the architecture of the tidalites in different parts of the basin signifies rapid shift in sedimentation from subtidal to intertidal flat within the lower delta plain. Transitions from prodeltaic to tidally (subtidal-intertidal) affected delta front to lower delta plain and fluvial-dominated upper delta plain depositional systems attest to high frequency transgressive-regressive cycles in response to changing accommodation, as a result of sea level fluctuations and basinal tectonisms in the Cambay Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]