Gravity and Magnetic Survey in Southwestern Part of Cuddapah Basin, India and its Implication for Shallow Crustal Architecture and Mineralization

Abstract

ABSTRACT Gravity and magnetic surveys were carried out in southwestern part of Cuddapah basin (CB) covering an area of ~3660 km2. Southwestern part of CB gained lot of attention after discovery of second most important uranium province in India. Some non-metallic industrial minerals and base metal occurrence are also reported in the study area. Present study with high spatial resolution gravity-magnetic survey aims to decipher detail basin geometry, nature of sediments, along with possible mineral deposits in SW part of CB. The gravity survey comprising short and long wavelength anomalies brought out sedimentary characteristics and basement architecture underneath the sediments. The long wavelength features of the gravity map shows gneissic basement, which is characterized by both basic and acid magmatic intrusive. Residual gravity anomaly map shows good correspondence with the exposed high density basaltic rock units and also brought out occurrence of concealed high density litho-units, which have significance for mineral prospecting. The magnetic map shows that both sediments and underneath basement are non-magnetic in nature except SW part of the study area, where study suggests occurrence of concealed mafic lensoid body. Euler solutions and combined gravity-magnetic modelling further facilitated for understanding of structural feature and basement geometry. Based on the integrated gravity and magnetic study mineral prospecting zones have been delineated for further detailed study.