Rock magnetism and AMS studies in Kondapalle-Pangidi layered complex, Eastern Ghats Belt, India: Remanence carriers and tectonic implications

Abstract

The present study is an integrated approach towards the rock magnetism and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) of the high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Kondapalle Pangidi Layered Complex (KPLC), Eastern Ghats Belt (EGB), India. Our study aims at determining the petrography, rock magnetic properties and the magnetic fabrics. The rock magnetic properties and the magnetic fabrics from AMS studies are used to determine their tectonic implications. Petrography reveals that the chief remanence carrier mineral is Ti-magnetite. Rock magnetic studies including Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (IRM), back-field IRM, hysteresis loop studies, and thermo-magnetic studies reveals the same. The magnetic hysteresis parameters (remanence and coercivity) are used to determine the magnetic domains from a modified Day plot. The magnetic domains lie within Stable Single Domain and Pseudo Single Domain ranges, thereby explaining their potential to record an ancient magnetic field. Besides the ferrimagnetic remanence carriers, paramagnetic silicates are also dominant which controlled the development of magnetic fabric. The magnetic fabric bears analogy with the regional structures and bear tectonic implications related to the post-rifting closure of the ocean followed by subduction of the ocean basin, accretionary orogeny and felsic magmatism in the Indo-Antarctic continental blocks.