Dr. Kunal Modak

Bio

Dr. Kunal Modak holds a Ph.D. in Structural Geology from IIT ISM Dhanbad, where he conducted research on the structural geometry, structural mapping, deformation, paleopeizometry, and metamorphism of the Mesoproterozoic Kaladgi Basin. His work provided critical insights into basin evolution and its implications for hydrocarbon and mineral exploration. He also holds an MSc in Geology and an M.Tech in Petroleum Exploration from IIT ISM Dhanbad, equipping him with a strong foundation in both fundamental geological processes and their applications in petroleum systems. He has over 6 years of experience as a scientist under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, where he worked on the prestigious "Scientific Deep Drilling in Koyna Intraplate Seismic Zone" project. His research in this project focused on understanding the mechanisms of reservoir-triggered seismicity through core logging, petrography, microstructural analysis, SEM, and EDS. His research contributions include both single-author and leading-author publications, including a 2022 paper proposing a hypothetical 5 km deep borehole in the Koyna region to study reservoir-triggered seismicity. He also serves as a reviewer for several reputed peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the advancement of geoscientific research.

Subjects Taught

Basic concept of Geology, Petroleum Geology, Petroleum Exploration, and Formation Evaluation. Petroleum Formation Evaluation, Engineering Geology.

Education Qualifications

Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), ISM Dhanbad.

Research Interests

Dr. Kunal Modak is a geoscientist specializing in structural geology, focusing on Earth's deformation processes and their implications for petroleum exploration. He studies structural geometry, deformation patterns, and low-grade metamorphism within sedimentary basins. He actively conducts detailed geological mapping to analyze deformation patterns, fault systems, and fold structures within sedimentary basins. His structural mapping focuses on understanding the kinematics and geometry of deformed rock units, particularly in Sedimentary Basin. His work involves mapping basement-cover relationships and analyzing detachment mechanisms, such as gravity gliding along unconformities. In microstructural studies, he investigates rock deformation at the thin-section scale, examining mineral fabrics, strain indicators, and deformation mechanisms. His work in the Mesoproterozoic Kaladgi Basin of southwestern India provides insights into basin development and its potential for uranium and hydrocarbon exploration. He is a field geologist specializing in structural mapping, thematic mapping, and microstructural studies. He actively conducts detailed geological mapping to analyze deformation patterns, fault systems, and fold structures within sedimentary basins. His structural mapping focuses on understanding the kinematics and geometry of deformed rock units, particularly in Sedimentary Basin. He applies thematic mapping techniques to integrate geological, geophysical, and geochemical data for interpreting basin evolution and identifying structural controls on resource distribution.. His research extends to reservoir-triggered seismicity, where he examines the structural and microstructural factors influencing fault reactivation in seismically active regions.

Publications

1) Kunal Modak*, 2024. Evidences of water percolation in granitic basement in Koyna seismogenic zone: Implications to reservoir triggered seismicity, Journal of Earth System Science. Vol 124, 1-8.

2) Kunal Modak*, Sunil Rohilla, Nagaraju Podugu, Deepjyoti Goswami, Sukanta Roy, 2022. Fault associated with the 1967 M 6.3 Koyna earthquake, India: a review of recent studies and perspectives for further probing, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences: X, 100123

3) Mukherjee, M.K., Das, S., Modak, K., 2016. Basement-cover structural relationships in the Kaladgi Basin, southwestern India: Indications towards a Mesoproterozoic gravity gliding of the cover along a detached unconformity. Precambrian Research 281, 495-520. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2016.06.013 ISSN 0301-9268, IF 4.725

4) Mukherjee, M.K., Modak, K., 2019. Timing of cleavage development in relation to folding and its implications; an example from the deformed Mesoproterozoic sedimentary cover of Kaladgi basin, southwestern India. Journal of Geological Society of India. Vol.93, April 2019, pp.379-391. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-019-1192-y ISSN 0974-6889, IF 1.459

5) Mukherjee, M.K., Modak, K., Ghosh, J., 2019. Illite crystallinity index from the Mesoproterozoic sedimentary cover of the Kaladgi basin, southwestern India: Implications on crustal depths of subsidence and deformation. Journal of Earth System Science. 128, 112 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-019-1163-0 URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-019-1124-7 ISSN 0253-4126, IF 1.423

6) Mukherjee, M.K., Modak, K., 2017. Structural Geometry and Deformation Patterns in Mesoproterozoic Cover Sediments of Kaladgi Basin: Implications for Exploration of Uranium and Hydrocarbons. Journal of Geosciences Research. Special vol No. 1, pp. 217-225

7) Mukherjee, M. K., Modak, K., Das, S., 2015. Deformation scenario and metamorphism of the Mesoproterozoic cover rocks of the Kaladgi basin, southwestern India. In: Proceedings of the 4th Annual International Conference on Geological & Earth Sciences (GEOS 2015), October 2015, Singapore, Global Science and Technology Forum, pp. 50–61.

Conference Proceedings:

1. Kunal Modak. 2014. Tectonics and structural controls on the development of Kaladgi basin, south west India: Implication on basin opening. In: Proceedings of the International seminar on Sedimentary processes and Metallogeny through time, Dharwad Engineering College, Karnataka, January 21- 23, 2014.(Presented)

2. Kunal Modak, Mrinal Kanti Mukherjee, 2017. Structural Geometry and Deformation Patterns in Mesoproterozoic Cover Sediments of Kaladgi Basin: Implications for Exploration of Uranium and Hydrocarbons. In: Challenges and Strategies in mineral exploration and mining. Gondwana society of India, Nagpur and RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. Special vol No. 1, pp. 217-225. 9th and 10th Feb 2017. (Presented)

3. Kunal Modak, Mrinal Kanti Mukherjee, 2015. Timing of cleavage development in relation to folding in the Meso -Proterozoic cover sediments of the Kaladgi Basin, South western India. Recent Advances in Research on Precambrian Terrains in India. XIV Convention of Mineralogical Society of India. University of Mysore. 31st March 2015. (accepted)

4. Kunal Modak. Fracture networks in the granitic basement in Koyna seismogenic zone: implications for channelization of water at depth. 36th International Geological Congress, India 2020. 2nd-8th March 2020. (accepted)

5. Kunal Modak. Evidences of water percolation in granitic basement in Koyna seismogenic zone: Implications to reservoir triggered seismicity. International Conference on Advances in Sciences of the Earth: Relevance to Society at SRTM University, Nanded Maharashtra. 2022. 24th-26th November 2022. (Presented)

6. Chinmay Joshi, Deepak Wable, Digant Vyas, Kunal Modak, Swapnil Patil, Shubham Kamane. Study of Slickenlines in drill cores from Koyna seismogenic zone, Maharashtra. International Conference on Advances in Sciences of the Earth: Relevance to Society at SRTM University, Nanded Maharashtra. 2022. 24th-26th November 2023. (Coauthor)

7. Kunal Modak, Deepak Wable, Chinmay Joshi, Ganesh Shinde, Archan Bhise Vulnerable fractures for future failure: Insights from the drillcore samples of the basement granitoids underlying the Deccan traps of the Koyna-Warna region, India. International Conference ‘Deccan Next’; 29th September- 5th October 2023. (Presented)

8. Roy, S., Goswami, D., Sutar, A., Akkiraju, V. V., Rohilla, S., Misra, S., Podugu, N., Wiersberg, T., Chitralekha S, V., Shukla, M., Modak, K. (2023): Recurrent reservoir triggered seismicity in Koyna, western India for the past six decades: What keeps it going?, XXVIII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) (Berlin 2023). (Co-author) Publisher GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences https://doi.org/10.57757/IUGG23-3162

9. Kunal Modak and Dinesh Kumar. (2024): A Comprehensive Assessment of Hydro Pump Storage in Abandoned Mines. National conference on Geosciences for sustainable world (GSW)- March 06-07, 2024.

10. Dinesh Kumar and Kunal Modak. (2024): Geological Complexity and Engineering Solutions: India’s Unique Rock Mass Classification Approach. National conference on Geosciences for sustainable world (GSW)- March 06-07, 2024. (Co-author)

11. Dinesh Kumar and Kunal Modak. (2023): Unearthing Potential: A Comprehensive Review of Hydro Pump Storage in Abandoned Mines. 5th World Environment Summit and International Conference on "Technological Innovations for Climate Change Mitigation and Global Warming" December 12- 13- 14, 2023.

Award And Achievements

Received best paper award. In: Proceedings of the 4th Annual International Conference on Geological & Earth Sciences (GEOS 2015), October 2015, Singapore, Global Science and Technology Forum. Deformation scenario and metamorphism of the Mesoproterozoic cover rocks of the Kaladgi basin, southwestern India. In: Proceedings of the 4th Annual International Conference on Geological & Earth Sciences (GEOS 2015), October 2015, Singapore, Global Science and Technology Forum, pp. 50–61.

Received JGSI Radhakrishna Prize for best research paper of 2019. Geological Society of India (Annual General Meeting – 24 th September 2021) Timing of cleavage development in relation to folding and its implications; an example from the deformed Mesoproterozoic sedimentary cover of Kaladgi basin, southwestern India. Journal of Geological Society of India. Vol.93, April 2019, pp.379-391

Qualified National Eligibility Test (lectureship) NET, June 2011: Lectureship (LS); AIR: 24.

Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in 2015

Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in 2017

Ranked 1 in the Institute JRF entrance exam of ISM,Dhanbad.

IIT ISM Dhanbad, Junior Research Fellowship: 06/08/2012-05/08/2014

IIT ISM Dhanbad, Senior Research Fellowship: 06/08/2014-05/08/2016

Teaching Experience :6 Yrs

Research Experience :6.5 Years (Post-PhD)

Scopus ID Link
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57189868849

ORCID ID Link
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3706-4430​

Google Scholar ID
https://Scholar.Google.Com/Citations?User=CUASLHEAAAAJ&HL=EN