Cuddapah system
Topic: Minerals, Rocks and the Rock Cycle · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Cuddapah system is a group of Proterozoic rocks (formed after the Archaean and Dharwar, but still before the Cambrian). It is made of sandstone, shale, limestone and quartzite. These rocks are only slightly metamorphosed, so they are much less changed than the older Dharwar rocks. It comes after the Dharwar and before the Vindhyan in India's rock order. It matters for minerals: it gives limestone, building stone, barytes, asbestos and uranium.
Example
The system is named after Cuddapah (Kadapa), Andhra Pradesh, where it fills a crescent-shaped basin. The uranium deposit at Tummalapalle lies in these rocks. Cuddapah-type rocks also occur in the Chhattisgarh and Kaladgi (Karnataka) basins.
Don't confuse with
- Vindhyan system: the Vindhyan is younger and lies above the Cuddapah. It runs from Sasaram to Chittorgarh and is known for red sandstone and the Panna diamonds.
- Dharwar system: the Dharwar is older and highly metamorphosed. It is India's main source of iron ore and gold.