Grain-scale anatomy of the Bundelkhand granite: Implications for the interplay of magmatic to sub-magmatic deformation mechanisms

Abstract

Grain-scale structures of the granitoid rocks from the north-western part of the Bundelkhand craton, central India are analysed with the aid of an optical microscope and electron probe micro analyser. Although field-based studies and quick microscopic observations suggest an overall porphyritic texture of the Bundelkhand granitoid, detailed microstructural observations reveal a significant deviation from the first-order igneous porphyritic texture. Here, we show that the Bundelkhand granitoid has three distinct grain-scale structures: (i) original pristine igneous structures, (ii) ductile deformation-related structures, and (iii) brittle fracturing-related structures. Based on microstructural evidences, we argue that the deformation-induced structures (both brittle and ductile) are not restricted to solid state, rather these structures initiated in the sub-magmatic stage and nucleated in partially crystallised magma during the magmatic to sub-magmatic event of the crystallisation history.