
Geology of the District
Geologically, the district is covered by rocks belonging to Archean age comprising the khondalite group, Charnockite Group, migmatite group, Sathayamangalam group, Bhavani Group and Alkali complex of Proterozoic age and Recent to Late Plestocene rocks of Cainozoic age.
The Charnockite Group of rocks consisting of Charnockite, pyroxene granulites and associated magnetite quartzite, the Knodalite Group comprising gametiferous – sillimanite gneiss, calc-granulite, crystalline limestone, sillimanite quartzites and associated migmatitic gneisses. The rocks are restricted to the central and southern portions of the district, especially around Sulur, Madukkarai and Pollachi taluks.
The fissile homblende gneisses (Peninsular gneiss – younger phase) of Bhavani Group with enclaves of schistose, micaceous and amphibolitic rocks, fuchsitge – kyanite quartzites, ferruginous quartzite (Satyamangalam Group) intruded by a number of ultramafic and basic rocks and granites are seen in the Northern portions of the district especially around Mettupalayam and Northern areas of Coimbatore.
The granites are Proterozoic age and occupy the Western end and Eastern Part of the District as separate bodies and are recognized as Maruthamalai Granite and Punjapuliyampatti Granites respectively.
The quaternary alluvium is seen in the Western areas of Coimbatore town. The alluvium is more than 30m thick in the Chinnathadagam valley northwest of Coimbatore and in the Siruvani valley west of Coimbatore.