Evolution of fabric in Chitradurga granite (south India) - A study based on microstructure, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and vorticity analysis

Abstract

In this paper, the fabric in massive granite (~2.6Ga) from the Chitradurga region (Western Dharwar Craton, south India) is analyzed using microstructure, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) study and kinematic vorticity analysis. The microstructural investigation on the granite shows a progressive textural overprint from magmatic, through high-T to low-T solid-state deformation textures. The mean magnetic foliation in the rocks of the region is dominantly NW-SE striking which have developed during regional D1/D2 deformation on account of NE-SW shortening. The plunge of the magnetic lineation varies from NW to vertical to SE, and interpreted to be a consequence of regional D3 deformation on account of NW-SE to E-W shortening. The vorticity analysis from magnetic fabric in the region reveals that the NW-SE oriented fabric formed under pure shear condition during D1/D2 regional deformation. However, some parts of the region particularly close to the adjacent Chitradurga Shear Zone show that the magnetic fabrics are oblique to the foliation as well as shear zone orientation and inferred to be controlled by simple shearing during D3 regional deformation. The shape preferred orientation (SPO) analysis from oriented thin sections suggest that the shape of the recrystallized quartz grains define the magnetic fabric in Chitradurga granite and the degree of the SPO reduces away from the Chitradurga Shear Zone. It is interpreted that the change in magnetic fabrics in some parts of the granite in the region are dominantly controlled by the late stage sinistral shearing which occurred during the development of Chitradurga Shear Zone.