Precambrian mafic magmatism in the Bastar craton,central India

The Bastar craton has experienced many episodes of mafic magmatism during the Precambrian. This is evidenced from a variety of Precambrian mafic rocks exposed in all parts of the Bastar craton in the form of volcanics and dykes. They include (i) three distinct mafic dyke swarms and a variety of mafic volcanic rocks of Precambrian age in the southern Bastar region; two sets of mafic dyke swarms are sub-alkaline tholeiitic in nature, whereas the third dyke swarm is high-Si, low-Ti and high-Mg in nature and documented as boninite-norite mafic rocks, (ii) mafic dykes of varying composition exposed in Bhanupratappur-Keskal area having dominantly high-Mg and high-Fe quartz tholeiitic compositions and rarely olivine and nepheline normative nature, (iii) four suites of Paleoproterozoic mafic dykes are recognized in and around the Chattisgarh basin comprising metadolerite, metagabbro, and metapyroxenite, Neoarchaean amphibolite dykes, Neoproterozoic younger fine-grained dolerite dykes, and Early Precambrian boninite dykes, and (iv) Dongargarh mafic volcanics, which are classified into three groups, viz. early Pitepani mafic volcanic rocks, later Sitagota and Mangikhuta mafic volcanics, and Pitepani siliceous high-magnesium basalts (SHMB). Available petrological and geochemical data on these distinct mafic rocks of the Bastar craton are summarized in this paper. Recently high precision U-Pb dates of 1891.1±0.9 Ma and 1883.0±1.4 Ma for two SE-trending mafic dykes from the BD2 (subalkaline) dyke swarm, from the southern Bastar craton have been reported. But more precise radiometric age determinations for a number of litho-units are required to establish discrete mafic magmatic episodes experienced by the craton. It is also important to note that very close geochemical similarity exist between boninite-norite suite exposed in the Bastar craton and many parts of the world. Spatial and temporal correlation suggests that such magmatism occurred globally during the Neoarchaean-Paleoproterozoic boundary. Many Archaean terrains were united as a supercontinent as Expanded Ur and Arctica at that time, and its rifting gave rise to numerous mafic dyke swarms, including boninitenorite, world-wide.     

Mafic and ultramafic magmatism and associated mineralization in the Dharwar craton,southern India

Evidence of mafic and ultramafic magmatism exists in many parts of the Dharwar craton which is divided into two blocks, the West Dharwar Craton (WDC) and the East Dharwar Craton (EDC). The mafic-ultramafic rocks occur in supracrustal/greenstone belts and in numerous enclaves and slivers in the WDC. The oldest recorded maficultramafic rocks, which are mainly komatiitic in nature, are preserved in the Sargur Group which is more than 3.3–3.4 Ga old, the youngest being manifested by 63–76 Ma old mafic dyke magmatism, possibly related to Deccan volcanism. In the Sargur Group, ultramafics rocks greatly dominate over mafic lithological units. Both extrusive and intrusive varieties, the latter in the form of differentiated layered complexes, occur. Mafic volcanics exists in all the greenstone belts of the eastern block and in the Bababudan and Western Ghats belts of the western block. In addition to the Sargur Group where stratigraphic sequences are unclear, mafic magmatism is recorded in three different formations of the Bababudan Group and two sub-divisions of the Shimoga and Chitradurga Groups where basaltic flows are conspicuous. In the well studied greenstone belts of Kolar and Hutti in the EDC, three to four different Formations of mafic volcanic rocks have been mapped. Isotopic dating has indicated that while mafic magmatism in the greenstone belts of the EDC covers only a short time span of between 2.65 to 2.75 Ga, those in the Dharwar Supergroup of the WDC cover a much longer time span from 3.35 to 2.5 Ga. Mafic dyke magmatism has taken place repeatedly from 2.45 Ga to about 1.0 Ga, but, the peak of emplacement was between 1.8 and 1.4 Ga when the densely developed swarms on the western and south western portions of the Cuddapah Basin and in the central part of Karnataka, were intruded. Emplacement of potassic ultramafic magma in the form of kimberlite-lamproite which is confined to the EDC, is a later magmatic event that took place between 1.4 Ga and 0.8 Ga. From a mineralization perspective, mafic magmatism of the supracrustal groups of the WDC and the greenstone belts of the EDC are the most important. V-Ti-magnetite bands constitute the most common deposit type recorded in the mafic-ultramafic complexes of the Sargur Group with commercially exploitable chromite deposits occurring in a number of belts. PGE mineralization of possible commercial value has so far been recorded in a single mafic-ultramafic complex, while copper-nickel mineralization occurs at certain localities in the Sargur and Chitradurga Groups. Gold mineralization hosted by mafic (occasionally ultramafic) rocks has been noted in many of the old workings located in supracrustal groups of rocks in the WDC and in the greenstone belts of EDC. Economically exploitable mineralization, however, occurs mainly in the greenstone belts of the Kolar, Ramagiri-Penkacherla and Hutti-Maski and along the eastern margin of the Chitradurga belt, where it is associated with a major N-S striking thrust zone separating the WDC from the EDC. Gold deposits of the eastern greenstone belts are comparable to those of the younger greenstone belts of Canada, Zimbabwe and Australia where the mineralization is associated with quartz carbonate veins often in iron-rich metabasic rocks. The gold was emplaced as hydrothermal fluids, derived from early komatiitic and tholeiitic magmas, and injected into suitable dilatent structures. The other common type of mineralization associated with the ultramafic rocks of the Sargur Group and supracrustal belts, particularly of the WDC, are asbestos and soapstone, related to autometamorphism/metasomatism. Ruby/sapphire deposits occur in places at the contacts of ultramafic rocks with the Peninsular Gneiss, and are related to contact metamorphism and metasomatism. Mineable magnesite deposits related to low-temperature hydrothermal/lateritic alteration exist in the zone of weathering, particularly in the more olivine-rich rocks. Recent spurt in diamond exploration is offering promise of discovering economically workable diamondiferous kimberlite/lamproite intrusions in the EDC.     

Petrological and Geochemical Characteristics of Archean Gneisses and Granitoids from Bastar Craton, Central India – Implication for Subduction Related Magmatism

The gneisses and granitoids of Bastar craton (with rock suites up to 3.5 Ga) show calc-alkaline trondhjemitic characteristics. The rocks are enriched in both LILE and HFSE than primordial mantle. They have also relatively higher abundances of LILE and strong depletion at P and Ti in the multielement diagram. The depletion of Ti and P indicates retention of these elements by titanite and/or apatite during partial melting. It is proposed that subduction of an oceanic slab and its consequent melting led to the formation of the protoliths of the gneisses without much interaction with the mantle wedge. The granitoids represent temporally distinct suites formed in response to further melting of slab at greater depth and interaction of magma with the mantle wedge during their transport to the crust.     

华北克拉通北缘凉城基性岩墙成因及古地理的重建意义

为揭示华北克拉通北缘凉城基性岩墙的形成时代、岩石成因、构造背景及对罗迪尼亚超大陆重建的意义,本研究借助激光烧蚀多接收器等离子质谱(LA-MC-ICP-MS)锆石U-Pb定年、Hf同位素及全岩地球化学研究手段,对凉城桃花沟岩墙开展了系统研究。研究结果显示,凉城桃花沟岩墙为新元古代早期(903±15 Ma)基性岩浆活动的产物,归属拉斑岩石系列,具有较高的TFeO(12.78%～16.30%)及TiO₂(2.59%～3.31%)含量、较低的MgO(2.87%～3.83%)、Cr(32.7×10^-6～42.0×10^-6)、Ni(11.6×10^-6～14.5×10^-6)含量及Mg^#值(29～38),富集轻稀土元素(LREE)、Rb、Pb、Zr及Hf元素,亏损Ba、Sr、Nb、Ta、Ti及Eu(Eu/Eu^*=0.74～0.83)元素。锆石原位ε_Hf(t)范围为2.4～13.4,单阶段Hf模式年龄(t_DM1     

Magnetic anomalies of two-dimensional bodies and algorithms for magnetic inversion of dykes and basement topographies

Generalized equations for the anomalies in any component of the earth’s magnetic field due to two-dimensional bodies of arbitrary magnetization are derived in terms of a new parameter, called the direction of measurement. Schemes for inverting the magnetic anomalies of arbitrarily magnetized dykes and basement topographies are then developed and the relevant computer software is presented. In both the schemes, the initial values of the parameters are calculated by the computer, so that the input merely consists of the anomalies and their distances. The differences in the observed and calculated anomalies are solved iteratively for the errors in initial values of the parameters.     

Geochemistry of mafic dikes in the Singhbhum Orissa craton: implications for subduction-related metasomatism of the mantle beneath the eastern Indian craton

Mafic dikes, which transect the Mesoarchaean Singhbhum Granitoid Complex, are the most abundant members of the Newer Dolerite dikes of the Singhbhum Orissa craton. These dikes are subalkaline and exhibit a tholeiitic differentiation trend. Studied dikes underwent fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene and plagioclase. They show enriched patterns for the light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE). On primitive mantle-normalized multi-element patterns, they possess Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti depletions similar to subduction-related basaltic rocks. The high (La/Yb) _n and (Gd/Yb) _n ratios suggest that the studied mafic dikes were derived by low degrees of partial melting of a garnet-bearing source. Judging by trace elemental ratios (e.g. Ba/Y, Nb/Y, Ba/Th and Th/Nb), the studied dikes were derived from a mantle source metasomatized by a subduction component (e.g. fluids derived by dehydration of the subducting slab). We conclude that interaction between these fluids and the overlying mantle was the main cause of (LREE and LILE) enrichment and Nb (high field strength elements) depletion in the mafic dikes.     

Synplutonic mafic dykes from late Archaean granitoids in the Eastern Dharwar Craton,southern India

We present a first overview of the synplutonic mafic dykes (mafic injections) from the 2.56–2.52 Ga calcalkaline to potassic plutons in the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC). The host plutons comprise voluminous intrusive facies (dark grey clinopyroxene-amphibole rich monzodiorite and quartz monzonite, pinkish grey porphyritic monzogranite and grey granodiorite) located in the central part of individual pluton, whilst subordinate anatectic facies (light grey and pink granite) confined to the periphery. The enclaves found in the plutons include highly angular screens of xenoliths of the basement, rounded to pillowed mafic magmatic enclaves (MME) and most spectacular synplutonic mafic dykes. The similar textures of MME and adjoining synplutonic mafic dykes together with their spatial association and occasional transition of MME to dismembered synplutonic mafic dykes imply a genetic link between them. The synplutonic dykes occur in varying dimension ranging from a few centimeter width upto 200 meters width and are generally dismembered or disrupted and rarely continuous. Necking of dyke along its length and back veining of more leucocratic variant of the host is common feature. They show lobate as well as sharp contacts with chilled margins suggesting their injection during different stages of crystallization of host plutons in magma chamber. Local interaction, mixing and mingling processes are documented in all the studied crustal corridors in the EDC. The observed mixing, mingling, partial hybridization, MME and emplacement of synplutonic mafic dykes can be explained by four stage processes: (1) Mafic magma injected during very early stage of crystallization of host felsic magma, mixing of mafic and felsic host magma results in hybridization with occasional MME; (2) Mafic magma introduced slightly later, the viscosities of two magmas may be different and permit only mingling where by each component retain their identity; (3) When mafic magma injected into crystallizing granitic host magma with significant crystal content, the mafic magma is channeled into early fractures and form dismembered synplutonic mafic dykes and (4) Mafic injections enter into largely crystallized (>80% crystals) granitic host results in continuous dykes with sharp contacts. The origin of mafic magmas may be related to development of fractures to mantle depth during crystallization of host magmas which results in the decompression melting of mantle source. The resultant hot mafic melts with low viscosity rise rapidly into the crystallizing host magma chamber where they interact depending upon the crystallinity and viscosity of the host. These hot mafic injections locally cause reversal of crystallization of the felsic host and induce melting and resultant melts in turn penetrate the crystallizing mafic body as back veining. Field chronology indicates injection of mafic magmas is synchronous with emplacement of anatectic melts and slightly predates the 2.5 Ga metamorphic event which affected the whole Archaean crust. The injection of mafic magmas into the crystallizing host plutons forms the terminal Archaean magmatic event and spatially associated with reworking and cratonization of Archaean crust in the EDC.     

华北克拉通东部早白垩世伸展盆地的发育过程及其对克拉通的破坏

在晚侏罗世华北克拉通东部破坏之初出现了区域性隆起,全区缺失上侏罗统沉积。在早白垩世早期,出现了区域性的伸展活动,断陷盆地形成,克拉通南、北缘伸展活动最强,北部燕山构造带以出现变质核杂岩为特征,南部出现宽裂谷型盆地。早白垩世中期华北克拉通东部普遍出现了火山活动与岩浆侵入。早白垩世晚期克拉通上以出现窄裂谷型盆地为特征,沿北北东走向的郯庐断裂带断陷活动最强。这些断陷盆地的演化过程揭示,经历地表抬升后,克拉通破坏之初的岩石圈热而弱,从而形成变质核杂岩或宽裂谷型盆地。这期间的破坏强度在空间上具有不均匀分布的特征,受控于早期岩石圈地幔的结构。经过早白垩世中期的大量岩浆活动之后,早白垩世晚期克拉通岩石圈温度降低、强度变大,从而利用早期大型断裂构造形成窄裂谷型盆地。这现象支持华北克拉通东部晚中生代的岩石圈减薄是以逐渐拆沉机制为主。     

Rare earth element geochemistry and Rb-Sr geochronology of Archaean stromatolitic cherts of the Dharwar craton, south India

Stromatolites associated with cherty dolomites of the Vanivilaspura Formation of the Archaean Dharwar Supergroup show a morphology indicative of the deposition of the latter in a intertidal to subtidal environment. The cherts are moderately high in their Al/Al + Fe ratios but depleted in Fe₂C₃ and also most trace elements. Unlike most other Archaean cherts, the Vanivilaspur cherts exhibit significant negative Ce anomaly, which is interpreted to have resulted from contemporary manganese deposition. The Rb/Sr ratios in the cherts show a sufficient spread to define a linear correlation line in the Rb-Sr evolution diagram corresponding to an age of 2512 ± 159 Ma and initial Sr ratio of 0.7128 ± 0.0012 (2σ). While this age is strikingly close to that of regional metamorphism in the Dharwar craton, the initial ratio is distinctly higher than that of the associated volcanics. Acid leaching experiments on the cherts suggest that they may have been isotopically equilibrated on a mm to cm scale about 500 Ma later than the time of regional metamorphism.     

Petrochemistry of crater facies Tokapal kimberlite pipe, Bastar craton, central India and its orangeitic affinities

Tokapal kimberlite is the only well preserved crater facies kimberlite intruded within sedimentary sequence of Indravati basin in Bastar craton of central India. We present detailed petrographical and whole rock geochemical studies, carried out on ten samples collected from different locations from Tokapal kimberlite to constrain its genesis and also the mantle processes involved in the origin of this earlier characterized Group I kimberlite. Geochemical studies show that only SiO₂ content and the mobile trace elements Ba, Sr, and K vary in the crater facies while rest others show restricted range and can be successfully used in evaluating the petrogenetic processes. Very low abundances of Rb (<2 ppm), Sr (<28 ppm), Ba (<52 ppm) and Cs (0.02–3 ppm) are observed which show possible effects of late-stage alteration rather than significant crustal contamination. The LREE enriched REE pattern, absence of positive Eu anomalies and HREE depletion also provide further additional evidence against crustal contamination considerably modifying magma composition. We infer the presence of less enriched (metasomatised) mantle source regions and comparatively greater degrees of partial melting responsible for the genesis of Tokapal kimberlite. Present study also suggests that crater facies Tokapal kimberlite intruding the Indravati basin, Bastar craton has a Group II kimberlite (orangeite) affinity. This finding is important in light of recent identification of Mainpur kimberlites of Bastar craton as orangeites.     

Contrasting fluid inclusion characteristics of staniferous and non-staniferous pegmatites of Southeast Bastar, Central India

Tin and rare metal-bearing granitic pegmatites in the Bastar–Malkangiri pegmatite belt of Central India are hosted by metabasic and metasedimentary country rocks. Fluid inclusion studies were conducted in spatially associated two-mica granite and the staniferous and non-staniferous pegmatites to characterize the physicochemical environment of mineralization, to distinguish different pegmatites in terms of their fluid characteristics and to envisage a possible genetic link between the pegmatites and spatially associated granite. Three different types of primary inclusions were identified. The type-I, aqueous bi-phase (L+V) inclusions are the most abundant and ubiquitous. Type-II polyphase (L+V+S) inclusions are rare. Type-III, monophase (L) and metastable aqueous inclusions, though less abundant than type-I inclusions, are ubiquitous. The fluid evolution trends indicate that mixing of two different fluids of contrasting salinities, one of high salinity (20–30 wt% NaCl equivalent) and another of low salinity (0–10 wt% NaCl equivalent), was responsible for precipitation of the bulk of the cassiterite. This mixing is the single most important characteristic that distinguishes the staniferous pegmatites from their non-staniferous counterparts. The non-staniferous pegmatites, on the other hand, are typified by the presence either of a high saline or a low saline fluid that evolved through simple cooling. The minimum pressure–temperature of entrapment, estimated from the intersections of the halide liquidus with the corresponding inclusion isochores of type-II inclusions, range between 2.1–2.2 kb and 300–325 °C. The similar P–T range of fluid entrapment of the staniferous and non-staniferous pegmatites indicates that they were possibly emplaced within a similar physical environment. Type-I inclusions from granite recorded only the high salinity fluid, the salinity of which compares well with that of the highly saline fluid component of type-I inclusions in the pegmatites. This is a possible indication of a genetic link between the pegmatites and spatially associated granite.     

Petrology and P–T path of the Fuping mafic granulites: implications for tectonic evolution of the central zone of the North China craton

The Fuping Complex and the adjoining Wutai and Hengshan Complexes are located in the central zone of the North China craton. The dominant rock types in the Fuping Complex are high‐grade tonalitic–trondhjemitic–granodioritic (TTG) gneisses, with minor amounts of mafic granulites, syntectonic granitic rocks and supracrustal rocks. The petrological evidence from the mafic granulites indicates three stages of metamorphic evolution. The M₁ stage is represented by garnet porphyroblasts and matrix plagioclase, quartz, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and hornblende. Orthopyroxene+plagioclase symplectites and clinopyroxene+plagioclase±orthopyroxene coronas formed in response to decompression during M₂ following the peak metamorphism at M₁. Hornblende+plagioclase symplectites formed as a result of further isobaric cooling and retrograde metamorphism during M₃. The P–T estimates using TWQ thermobarometry are: 900–950 °C and 8.0–8.5 kbar for the peak assemblage (M₁), based on the core compositions of garnet, matrix pyroxene and plagioclase; 700–800 °C and 6.0–7.0 kbar for the pyroxene+plagioclase symplectites or coronas (M₂); and 550–650 °C and 5.3–6.3 kbar for the hornblende+plagioclase symplectites (M₃), based on garnet rim and corresponding symplectic mineral compositions. These P–T estimates define a clockwise P–T path involving near‐isothermal decompression for the Fuping Complex, similar to the P–T path estimated for the metapelitic gneisses. The inferred P–T path suggests that the Fuping Complex underwent initial crustal thickening, subsequent exhumation, and finally cooling and retrogression. This tectonothermal path is similar to P–T paths inferred for the Wutai and Hengshan Complexes and other tectonic units in the central zone of the North China craton, but different from anti‐clockwise P–T paths estimated for the basement rocks in the eastern and western zones of the craton. Based on lithological, structural, metamorphic and geochronological data, the eastern and western zones of the craton are considered to represent two different Archean to Paleoproterozoic continental blocks that amalgamated along the central zone at the end of Paleoproterozoic. The P–T paths of the Fuping Complex and other tectonic units in the central zone record the collision between the eastern and western zones that led to the final assembly of the North China craton at c. 1800 Ma.     

Facies pattern of the middle Permian Barren Measures Formation, Jharia basin, India: The sedimentary response to basin tectonics

In the Lower Gondwana succession of the Jharia basin of eastern India, the Barren Measures Formation is characterized by the cyclic disposition of fine-grained lacustrine deposits and relatively coarse-grained fluvial deposits. The cyclic variation in the rate of coarse clastic input is attributed to the sedimentary response to basin tectonics. The sandstone-shale alternations of the Barren Measures succession can be correlated with the tectonic cyclothems developed on the hangingwall dip-slope and adjoining trough in a continental half-graben setting. Enhancement of the gradient of the hangingwall dip-slope during reactivation of the basin margin faults led to progradation of the existing fluvial system towards the half-graben trough and deposition of the coarser clastics on the fine-grained lacustrine deposits of the trough. Peneplanation of the hangingwall slope and slow increase in the lake level caused lacustrine transgression and retrogration of the fluvial system on the hangingwall block. The fluvial sediments were onlapped by the fine-grained lacustrine deposits. Episodic rejuvenation of the basin margin faults thus caused development of tectonic cyclothem on the hangingwall block. The paleocurrent pattern indicates that a persistent northward paleoslope was maintained during Barren Measures sedimentation. The inferred depositional settings were much more extensive than the present limit of the outcrop. The faults, presently defining the northern limit of the Barren Measures Formation, were possibly emplaced after Barren Measures sedimentation. The final movement along these fault planes caused preservation of the downthrown hangingwall block and the Barren Measures sediments on the footwall block were eroded during subsequent denudation. The Southern Boundary Fault came into existence after the deposition of the Barren Measures sediments.     

Geochemical characteristics and petrogenesis of four Palaeoproterozoic mafic dike swarms and associated large igneous provinces from the eastern Dharwar craton,India

Palaeoproterozoic mafic dike swarms of different ages are well exposed in the eastern Dharwar craton of India. Available U-Pb mineral ages on these dikes indicate four discrete episodes, viz. (1) ~2.37 Ga Bangalore swarm, (2) ~2.21 Ga Kunigal swarm, (3) ~2.18 Ga Mahbubnagar swarm, and (4) ~1.89 Ga Bastar-Dharwar swarm. These are mostly sub-alkaline tholeiitic suites, with ~1.89 Ga samples having a slightly higher concentration of high-field strength elements than other swarms with a similar MgO contents. Mg number (Mg#) in the four swarms suggest that the two older swarms were derived from primary mantle melts, whereas the two younger swarms were derived from slightly evolved mantle melt. Trace element petrogenetic models suggest that magmas of the ~2.37 Ga swarm were generated within the spinel stability field by ~15–20% melting of a depleted mantle source, whereas magmas of the other three swarms may have been generated within the garnet stability field with percentage of melting lowering from the ~2.21 Ga swarm (~25%), ~2.18 Ga swarm (~15–20%), to ~1.89 Ga swarm (~10–12%). These observations indicate that the melting depth increased with time for mafic dike magmas. Large igneous province (LIP) records of the eastern Dharwar craton are compared to those of similar mafic events observed from other shield areas. The Dharwar and the North Atlantic cratons were probably together at ~2.37 Ga, although such an episode is not found in any other craton. The ~2.21 Ga mafic magmatic event is reported from the Dharwar, Superior, North Atlantic, and Slave cratons, suggesting the presence of a supercontinent, ‘Superia’. It is difficult to find any match for the ~2.18 Ga mafic dikes of the eastern Dharwar craton, except in the Superior Province. The ~1.88–1.90 Ga mafic magmatic event is reported from many different blocks, and therefore may not be very useful for supercontinent reconstructions.     

Delineation of long-wavelength magnetic anomalies over central India by rectangular harmonic analysis

The method of rectangular harmonic analysis is applied to the geomagnetic field data from central India to isolate long wavelength magnetic anomalies associated with largescale crustal structures. The long-wavelength anomalies have accounted for approximately 20 % of the spatial variability of the residual magnetic field over the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. On the magnetic anomaly map, reflecting the surface expression of longwavelength anomalies, the Tapi-Narmada-Son zone is characterized by a feeble positive anomaly bounded by a strong negative anomaly. The anomaly pattern is believed to be caused by the large-scale undulation in Moho and related variations in the thickness of the lower (basaltic) crust. The other two prominent anomalies, the magnetic low striking northwest and the magnetic high trending east-northeast, appear to be related to the deep structural feature of the Godavari graben and the eastern Rajasthan lineament respectively.     

Gold - sulphide mineralization in ultramafic-mafic-granite complex of Jashpur,Bastar craton,central India: Evidences from geophysical studies

Time Domain Induced Polarization (TDIP) investigation in conjunction with high resolution electrical resistivity tomography surveys carried out at seven sites along a 5.2 km line in Jashpur and Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh State yielded promising results leading to the demarcation of mineralized zones. These sites are confined to ultramafic-mafic-felsic intrusive complexes representing gabbro-pyroxenite-granite sequences characterized by gold - sulphide mineralization. Two dimensional (2D) geophysical datasets yielded interesting results and a good correlation is found between 2D inverted resistivity tomography and time domain induced polarization (IP) models. Both high resistivity-high chargeability as well as low resistivity-high chargeability conditions have been inferred from these datasets. This observation is consistent with conductive metallic mineralization. Interpretation of the Pharsabahar-Pandripani site, reveals a chargeability magnitude of 9-14 mV/V, which represents a strong metallic conductor associated with gold-sulphide ore body. The results at Samarkachar site are equally significant, showing a good correlation with the presence of a low resistivity and high chargeability zone. Hence, the present study suggests a new scope for application of resistivity and IP tomography surveys for mineral prospecting in favourable geological settings.     

Crustal Magnetic Studies over Krishna-Godavari Basin in Eastern Continental Margin of India

Total field magnetic data were collected over the Krishna-Godavari basin covering 20, 000 sq.km with an average spacing of 8.5 km. This was mainly to study the long wavelength features related with the deep structures. Aeromagnetic map of the region compared well with the ground maps. The anomaly maps show a combination of NE-SW, NS/NNE-SSW and NW-SE trends. The anomalies of ground data are transformed to isolate the sources at different depths. The second vertical derivative and downward continuation maps bring out clearly the NE-SW and NS/NNE-SSW trends related to the coastal basin and Eastern Ghats implying that they are shallow. These are probably superposed on much deeper NW-SE trending structural features of Pre-Gondwana breakup as evidenced in the Horizontal Gradient of Pseudogravity and upward continuation maps. From the offshore magnetic data it appears that these trends extend up to the Ocean Continent Boundary. It is inferred that the deeper features are associated with rifting of Dharwar and Bastar cratons within the Indian plate, prior to the rifting of India from Gondwanaland. The superposed horst and graben structures are related to the formation of the pull-apart Krishna-Godavari basin as a result of rifting and drifting of India from Gondwanaland. These two structural features are associated with two different tectonic events.     

Similarity of palaeocurrent pattern of Lower Gondwana formations of the Talchir and the Ong-river basins of Orissa, India – An indication of dismemberment of a major Gondwana basin

In peninsular India, Gondwana strata are disposed linearly as strings of isolated basins conforming to the trend of the present day Koel–Damodar, Son–Mahanadi and Prahnita–Godavari river valleys. There are seven exposed and one concealed Gondwana basins/outliers in Orissa belonging to the Son–Mahanadi valley system. The present study is concerned with the consanguinity of the Talchir and Ong-river basins of Orissa. Similarity and dissimilarity of palaeocurrent population in these two basins were taken into consideration to test the consanguinity of the basins under consideration. Statistical analysis suggests that the sampled palaeocurrent data of the same formation belong to the same population when considered for both basins. In geologic terms, the basin parameters were identical when considered for either the Talchir or the Karharbari Formation that proves the consanguinity of both the basins and the possible existence of a master basin that encompassed other sister Gondwana basins in Orissa.     

Juxtaposition of India and Antarctica During the Precambrian: Inferences from Geochemistry of Mafic Dykes

There are several geological, geochemical and geophysical evidences, which corroborate reconstruction of Gondwanaland and juxtaposition of India and Antarctica. Petrology of the Precambrian mafic dykes of East Antarctica and Central-East India also support juxtaposition of India and Antarctica. Mafic dykes of different generations are emplaced in the Archaean granite gneisses of these regions. These dykes appear to be an important tool to support juxtaposition of India and Antarctica. Geological and petrological data of the Central-East India Precambrian mafic dykes suggest four episodes of mafic magmatism in the region - three tholeiitic and one noritic (?). Similarly, East Antarctica also comprises four dyke suites, emplaced during three distinct periods. These suites are 2.4 Ga meta-tholeiites, 2.4 Ga high-Mg tholeiites, 1.8 Ga dolerites and 1.2–1.4 Ga dolerites. Geochemical compositions of these mafic dykes are compared and they show good relationships with each other. Similarities in petrological and geochemical characteristics of Precambrian mafic dykes of East Antarctica and Central-East India strongly support juxtaposition of these two continents.