Mapping of Structural Lineaments and Fracture Zones around the Central Indian Ridge (10°S–21°S) using EIGEN 6C4 Bouguer Gravity Data

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to map the structural lineaments and fracture zone around the Central Indian Ridge (10°S–21°S) using EIGEN 6C4 Bouguer gravity data. This would help to better understand the evolution of the Indian Ocean Triple Junction (IOTJ), Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and the Ocean floor in the vicinity. In this study, a comparison of three different edge detection techniques have been made to validate the TAHG (tilt angle of total horizontal gradient) and the THVH (Tilt angle of vertical derivative of total horizontal gradient) edge detection techniques over the rudimentary total horizontal derivative (THD) technique. Synthetic model study was performed considering the major problems of the standard edge detection process. Results of the three edge detection techniques were compared critically and validated with the satellite-derived EIGEN 6C4 Bouguer gravity data. The lineaments exhibit NE-SW and NNW-SSE trends over the ocean. The NE-SW trend represents the current spreading direction of the CIR (Central Indian Ridge), whereas NNW-SSE trend representing the lineaments formed due to ridge jump during magnetic anomaly 20 and 18.