Lithology and Structural Mapping of Kadavur Basin, Tamil Nadu, India, Using IRS P6 LISS III Satellite Data

Abstract

The Kadavur basin is located in the Southern Granulite Terrain, central part of Tamil Nadu, India. The basin structure and presence of anorthositic formation in the Kadavur are interesting features for many researchers. Anorthosite is an important igneous rock, with limited coverage on earth crust, and commonly present on lunar surface. The origin and emplacement of anorthosite in terrestrial environment are always a matter of interest among geoscientist. In the present study, moderate-resolution IRS P6 LISS III multispectral satellite data are used to interpret the lithology, structure and morphology of the Kadavur basin. The processed satellite outputs show contrast signatures for various rock types such as anorthosites, gabbro, quartzite, gneiss, augen gneiss and charnockites. The lithological and structural details collected during the field investigation were used for mapping. The DEM-generated image shows detail information on structural features including crust line, dipping beds and fault zone in the Kadavur basin. The circular quartzite ridges formed as major structural hill systems, dipping vertically inward toward the center of the basin. The lineation indicates the axis of the fold structure standing on edge or plunging very steeply. The various theories proposed for the origin of structural basin and emplacement of gabbroic anorthositic plutonic body in the Kadavur basin are discussed.