Late Quaternary climate and seismicity in the Katrol hill range, Kachchh, western India

A channel fill sequence in the upper catchment of the Khari river in the south of the Katrol Hill Fault (KHF) has been investigated to understand the role of climate and tectonics in the evolution of fluvial landforms. Detailed sedimentology and limited optical chronology suggest that the channel incision occurred during weak summer monsoon (prior to 19.9 ka) and is attributed to the activity along the KHF and its subsidiary faults. The post-glacial to early Holocene was a phase of landscape stability (subdued tectonics) which persisted until around 7.1 ka. Particularly, between 9.4 ka and 7.1 ka, an enhanced monsoon activity is inferred. A renewed phase of uplift is suggested after 7.1 ka that probably continues till present.