Evidence for Proterozoic Collision from Airborne Magnetic and Gravity Studies in Southern Granulite Terrain, India and Signatures of Recent Tectonic Activity in the Palghat Gap

Abstract

The composite airborne total intensity map of the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) at an average elevation of 7000' (≈ 2100 m) shows bands of bipolar regional magnetic anomalies parallel to the structural trends suggesting the distribution of mafic/ultramafic rocks that are controlled by regional structures/shear zones and thrusts in this region. The spectrum and the apparent susceptibility map computed from the observed airborne magnetic anomalies provide bands of high susceptibility zones in the upper crust associated with known shear zones/thrusts such as Transition Zone, Moyar-Bhavani and Palghat-Cauvery Shear Zones (MBSZ and PCSZ). The quantitative modelling of magnetic anomalies across Transition Zone, MBSZ and PCSZ suggest the presence of mafic rocks of susceptibility (1.5-4.0 × 10 −3 CGS units) in upper crust from 8-10 km extending up to about 21-22 km, which may represent the level of Curie point geotherm as indicated by high upper mantle heat flow in this section. Two sets of paired gravity anomalies in SGT and their modelling with seismic constraints suggest gravity highs and lows to be caused by high density mafic rocks along Transition Zone and Cauvery Shear Zone (CSZ) in the upper crust at depth of 6-8 km and crustal thickening of 45-46 km south of them, respectively. High susceptibility and high density rocks (2.8 g/cm 3) along these shear zones supported by high velocity, high conductivity and tectonic settings suggest lower crustal mafic/ultramafic granulite rocks thrusted along them. These signatures with lower crustal rocks of metamorphic ages of 2.6-2.5 Ga north of PCSZ and Neoproterozoic period (0.6-0.5 Ga) south of it suggest that the SGT represents mosaic of accreted crust due to compression and thrusting. These observations along with N-verging thrusts and dipping reflectors from Dharwar Craton to SGT suggest two stages of N-S directed compression: (i) between Dharwar Craton and northern block of SGT during 2.6-2.5 Ga with Transition Zone and Moyar Shear towards the west as thrust, and (ii) between northern and southern blocks of SGT with CSZ as collision zone and PCSZ as thrust during Neoproterozoic period (0.6-0.5 Ga). The latter event may even represent just a compressive phase without any collision related to Pan-African event. The proposed sutures in both these cases separate gravity highs and lows of paired gravity anomalies towards north and south, respectively. The magnetic anomalies and causative sources related to Moyar Shear, MBSZ and PCSZ join with those due to Transition Zone, Mettur and Gangavalli Shears in their eastern parts, respectively to form an arcuate-shaped diffused collision zone during 2.6-2.5 Ga. Most of the Proterozoic collision zones are highlands/plateaus but the CSZ also known as the Palghat Gap represents a low lying strip of 80-100 km width, which however, appears to be related to recent tectonic activities as indicated by high upper mantle heat flow and thin crust in this section. It is supported by low density, low velocity and high conductive layer under CSZ and seismic activity in this region as observed in case of passive rift valleys. They may be caused by asthenospheric upwarping along pre-existing faults/thrusts (MBSZ and PCSZ) due to plate tectonic forces after the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates since Miocene time.