Geology

The geology of the hills is simple, trap overlaid by a light capping of iron clay. The trap shows in most ravines and in horizontal belts on the sides of the hill, which are more numerous and much less deep than the trap scarps in the range further north. The Mahabaleshwar trap is often columnar and accompanied by crystallized quartz, apophyllite, stilbite, and scolecite found in cavities. The iron clay contains a variable proportion of peroxide of iron which used to be extracted by a class of men called Dhavads. But orders restricting the use of charcoal put a stop to the manufacture of iron. The laterite ends on the Satara road 6 1/2 miles from the Frere Hall, on the Poona road 13 1/2 miles, and on the Mahad road 2 1/2 miles.