Academic Activities:

• Earth surface processes as a function of orogenic/epirogenic driven surface uplift and erosional (fluvial) coupling to attain a steady-state landscape in Himalaya, Indo-Burmese range, Shillong plateau and Indian Peninsula. The coupling process in transient landscape show scaling behaviour, which varies from landslide-scale to seismogenic brittle-ductile thrust wedge to the isostatic crustal (Moho) perturbation in Himalaya, which is an important focus of research.

• Deformation partitioning, active deformation and evolution of transient geomorphic signature in the Himalayan front to understand their paleoseismic and neotectonics behavior.

• Coseismic liquefaction and paleoseismic record in the Brahmaputra alluvium and seismically active Himalayan Front.

• Crustal structures and tectonic evolution of Himalaya and Peninsular belt using integrated geological and geophysical data modeling.

• Characterization of SAR Interferometry-based ground deformation from groundwater overexploitation, coseismic deformation, and landslide phenomenon.

Applied Research:

• Comprehensive geotechnical site-characterization using multiparametric Remote Sensing, Geological and Geophysical tools for shallow subsurface imaging including Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) and others.

• Remote Sensing and GIS based Hydrological characterization.

• Tsunami modelling and risk assessment of coastal region.

Transient landscape modeling of Himalaya. The Mio-Pliocene drainage reorganization during Namcha-Barwa syntaxial evolution.

Active structures with variable structures and geomorphic expresions in Nahan Salient of the NW Sub Himalaya. The subdued deformation in the HFT hanging wall with open anticlines and synclines are separated from the highly deformed sequence in the hanging wall of the Out-of-sequence thrust. Also note the high-angle strike-slip fault showing both (d) transpressional and (d’) trans-tensional deformation in different segments.

Growth of on-land Mahanadi and Damodar basins during the early stages of Gondwana dispersion due to the b) reactivation of CITZ with varying vertical and horizontal displacement with simultaneous shearing in Mahakosal belt (constrained by gravity data) (JAES, 248, 105628. Journal 

InSAR based monitoring of ground subsidence driven by groundwater over-exploitation in the Himalayan Piedmont zone: implication for aquifer health due to urbanization.

Planetary Sciences Group carries out advanced research on geology & geophysics of terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) and the Moon for understanding the origin and evolution of the inner Solar System planets and the Moon. Our research includes understanding of impact cratering, tectonics, volcanism, sedimentary and geodynamic processes that shaped the terrestrial planets and the Moon. The geological and geophysical datasets obtained by ISRO, NASA, ESA, and JAXA are used. Our research covers two major areas: (1) the study of planetary geological records, deciphering geologic history, and geodynamic processes; (2) the study of planetary interiors using geophysical methods. Analysis of robotic and human landing sites on Moon and Mars are also performed for understanding geological setting of these sites, composition and selection of rock and regolith materials at the landing sites for in-situ study basing on science objectives. The studies involving seismo-tectonics and geo-hazards for safety assessment of long-term human settlements on the Moon and Mars are also undertaken.

We undertake study of terrestrial analog sites on Earth that have important implications for planetary exploration. Geophysical research involving state-of-the-art seismology, gravity, magnetics, and electro-magnetic methods are performed for understanding the interior structure of Moon and Mars.

Planetary Seismology involving the study of moonquakes and marsquakes is one of our key research areas. We aim at establishing a geophysical laboratory on the Moon in the future. Application of near-surface geophysical methods for understanding the nature of mega-regolith and geophysical exploration of natural resources (minerals and buried ice deposits) on the Moon is also considered.