Mineralogical study of gabbro-anorthosite from Dumka, Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex, Eastern Indian Shield

Abstract

The Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC), bearing imprints of widespread high grade metamorphic and magmatic history since Palaeoproterozoic, represents an integral crustal segment of Eastern Indian Shield. The gabbroanorthosite intrusives constitute a part of mafic-ultramafic magmatism in the CGC. The study area around Dumka (24°16′ to 24°20′N: 87°13′ to 87°22′E) predominantly comprises of granite gneiss and charnockitic country rocks within which gabbro-anorthosite intrusions occur as lenses. Field relations and structural studies reveal that the country rocks of Dumka have suffered three phases of deformation represented by F1, F2 and F3 folds. The gabbro-anorthosite intrusives maintain a sharp contact with the host rocks, deformed and metamorphosed. Relict igneous layering or primary igneous foliation (Sig) is recorded where metamorphic overprint is minimal. Mineral phases of gabbro-anorthosite rocks suggest that clinopyroxene compositions from gabrro correspond to diopside and clinoferrosilite, while those from anorthosite are clinoferrosilite. Amphiboles from the gabbro-anorthosite rocks are calcic, and range from ferroan pargasite in gabbro to ferroan pargasitic hornblende in anorthosite. Plagioclase from gabbro and anorthosite belong to bytownite and andesine respectively. Chemical composition of garnet in gabbro is almandine. Thermobarometric estimates for Dumka gabbroanorthosites correspond to 511°C to 915°C and 5.0–7.5 kb pressure, comparable to that estimated for Bengal Anorthosite (593–795°C, 4.1–7.3 kb). Fractionation trend of plagioclase substantiates a single parental magma in the evolution of Dumka gabbro-anorthosite intrusives.