The lithology and sequence of the Quilon beds

Four new beds of clay and shale, observed to underlie the Padappakara limestone of Burdigalian age are recorded and described. The base is not seen. A pattern for their correlation in the four known localities in Quilon based on lithologic and stratigraphic similarities is outlined. The exclusive occurrence of the detrital Warkala laterite overlying the limestone bed at Padappakara is explained as due to overlapping. The source of the lignite debris, noted for the first time in the Quilon beds, is postulated as an old unknown bed either underlying or having existed nearby, but later removed by erosion or diastrophism. The proximity of the source of the Quilon sediments is supported by the presence of graphite in the sediments.