Breakup Of Gondwanaland Research Articles

Late mesozoic exhumation of silurian – Devonian and permian Ni-Co sulfide deposits in the East Kunlun orogenic belt: Constraints from zircon fission track ages

Ni-Co sulfide deposits of late Silurian – early Devonian and Permian ages hosted within in basic-ultrabasic rock bodies in the East Kunlun orogenic belt have been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, we have only a limited understanding of the history and dynamics of uplift, exhumation, and tectonic deformation of the basic-ultrabasic ore-bearing rock bodies of these Ni-Co sulfide deposits. We used the zircon fission track ages of seven samples obtained from basic-ultrabasic ore-bearing rocks to determine the timing of the exhumation of these Ni-Co sulfide deposits. Combining our results with published data on the timing of orogenesis, cooling events, magmatic activities, and basin infilling in adjacent areas, we conclude the following: 1) The ZFT ages obtained in this study indicate the exhumation during 169.6 ± 5.5–142.2 ± 3.2 Ma; 2) Combined with previous results, our data indicate that the exhumation during the Jurassic – Cretaceous occurred across a large area along the East Kunlun orogenic belt to the Alxa block; 3) The synchroneity of orogeny, magmatic activity, and basin infilling events suggests that the late Mesozoic exhumation was a geomorphological response to the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision driven by the breakup of Gondwanaland.

Deformation and fluid flow history of a fractured basement hydrocarbon reservoir below the Sab'atayn Basin, Habban Field, Yemen

Fractured crystalline basement reservoirs are of increasing economic interest for oil and gas exploration and subsurface fluid storage. The successful characterization of these reservoirs is commonly challenged by their structural heterogeneity, complexity in fracture distribution and flow properties at multiple scales, and the difficulty of imaging fractures in exploration seismic. We analyzed the fracture geometry and fracture diagenetic attributes in two oriented cores from the Habban Field in the Late Jurassic Sab'atayn Basin (Yemen) to evaluate the multi-phase deformation history and fracture flow pathway evolution for (hydrothermal) fluids and hydrocarbons. Analyses included petrographic and fluid inclusion analysis of fracture-filling cements, and stable sulfur isotope analyses of fracture-filling pyrite.The Paleoproterozoic basement consists of amphibolite-facies metamorphic ortho- and paragneiss cut by several phases of Neoproterozoic granitoid intrusions. The investigated lithologies in the drill cores comprise (1) epidote quartzite, (2) amphibolite, (3) monzogranite, (4) meta-arkose, and (5) quartz-feldspar porphyry. These lithologies show an inhomogeneous fracture network that is partially cemented. Ediacaran brittle-ductile deformation (D1) recognized only within a Pan-African monzogranite lead to cataclasis and porosity generating alteration. Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous extension (D2) related to the break-up of Gondwanaland and the formation of the Sab'atayn Basin is found in all lithologies and likely resulted in pervasive quartz cementation. Late Jurassic fractures parallel to the NW-SE trending long axis of the Sab'atayn Basin are best recognized in a strongly foliated amphibolites. Cenozoic extensional fracturing (D3) reactivated older structures, which probably formed during activity of the Neoproterozoic Najd Fault System and caused multi-phased (pyrite-(saddle) dolomite-calcite) fracture cementations. The sulfur isotope compositions of pyrite with δ34S values ranging between −17.4 and + 26.4‰ vs. V-CDT reflects the variability of the fluid source during sulphide mineral formation from hydrocarbon-rich hydrothermal solutions. Fluid inclusions indicate that cementation reactions occurred in a relatively narrow temperature field between 120 °C and 140 °C, ideal for hydrocarbon maturation. Our results demonstrate the potentially complex charge history of basement reservoirs, involving multiple phases of fracture formation and cementation, and fluid charge episodes.

Remote Sensing-based Morphometry on the Petroliferous Cambay Rift Basin (Gujarat, Western India)

Abstract The Cambay Rift Basin (CRB) is a product of rifting in western India that formed during India’s drift following the breakup of Gondwanaland during the Early Jurassic and Tertiary Periods. Being petroliferous, the basin has attained paramount attention. Seismicity in CRB proves its present-day tectonic sensitivity. Several NNW-SSE, NW-SE and NE-SW trending faults regulate the channel morphology within a portion of the basin. Drainage network systems are proxies of active faulting. Geomorphic indices e.g., long profile analysis, basin-scale parameters, stream length gradient index and sinuosity index along the main channels in the five watersheds have been evaluated in this work. The Index of Active Tectonics (IAT) is derived from the basin-scale parameters and is clubbed into three classes: class 1 (IAT = 1.4 - 1.9), class 2 (IAT = 1.91 - 2.4) and class 3 (IAT = 2.41 - 2.9). IAT Class 1 indicates a higher present-day tectonic activity than the other watersheds such as 1, 2 and 5. Watersheds in the northern and eastern Cambay region (watersheds 3 and 4, and portions of 1 and 5) exhibit higher tectonic activity. Slope breaks and low sinuosity index near the crossing-points in these northern and eastern portions indicate active / weak zones. Along these zones, channels incise vertically and more efficiently than laterally in watersheds 3 and 4. These weak zones may indicate older structures such as lineaments and faults. The Ahmedabad-Mehsana block in watershed 3 and partly in watershed 1 within the CRB with several oil fields are tectonically highly active. Therefore, well-bore stability studies need to be carried out in this block.

Deep Seismic Reflection Imaging of Mesozoic Kachchh Rift, NW India: Implications for Evolution

AbstractDeep crustal seismic reflection profiling is carried out for first time across various tectonic domains of seismically active Mesozoic Kachchh rift basin, formed during the breakup of Gondwanaland. The seismic data, processed using the common reflection surface stack approach, provided maiden images of the shallow and deep sub‐surface structures in the region. These images reveal a 15 km thick subhorizontal lower crustal reflection fabric and crustal‐scale domal‐type structure extending from the surface to the Moho. We interpret the earlier structure represent magmatic underplating and the latter as the Kachchh Mainland uplift. We find large variations in the thickness of sediments from 150 m to 6.5 km and crustal thickness from 45 to 35 km from north to south, with a Moho up warp of 4 km beneath the Kachchh Mainland fault. The Kachchh rift basin exhibits an unusually thick crust of 45 km, contrary to many rift basins. We interpret the syn‐rifting and the Reunion mantle plume activity, manifested as Deccan volcanics, are responsible for magmatic underplating and crustal thickening. Uplift in the region is multi‐genetic in origin. Present study illuminated new faults and nature of various other faults. Moderate to large earthquakes in the region are attributed to the regional and local stresses resulting from the plate boundary and heterogeneous crustal structure. Based on the mafic lower crust and distribution of aftershocks through the entire crust, we interpret the lower crust is brittle, contrary to most models of continental rheology.

Flea (Insecta: Siphonaptera) Family Diversity

This overview of extant Siphonaptera lists 19 families with major hosts and their general distribution, estimated numbers of genera, species, and subspecies, with a brief taxonomic and phylogenetic review. With around 10 new species described annually, extant flea fauna comprises an estimated 249 genera, 2215 species, and 714 subspecies globally, mostly mammal parasites, but 5% of species are on birds. Host specificity varies from euryxenous (i.e., infesting two or more host orders) (e.g., cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis felis) to monoxenous (e.g., rabbit fleas, Spilopsyllus cuniculi). The largest family is the paraphyletic Hystrichopsyllidae, making up a third of all flea species. The largest monophyletic family, Ceratophyllidae (rodent and bird fleas), comprises another 20% and has dispersed to every continent, including Antarctica. Fleas descend from scorpionflies (Mecoptera), possibly snow scorpionflies (Boreidae) or Nannochoristidae, and even giant fossils found from the Mesozoic could be Siphonaptera. The diversification of fleas shows evidence of taxon cycles. “Relict” families, such as helmet fleas (Stephanocircidae), have a disjunct distribution reflecting the breakup of Gondwanaland 70 million years ago. “Niche specialists” include nest fleas (Anomiopsyllus), bat fleas (Ischnopsyllidae), and burrowing fleas, such as chigoes (Tungidae). By contrast, Ceratophyllidae fleas could be considered “great speciators”. Cat fleas and several other synanthropic flea species are invasive “supertramps”. Although those species are intensively studied, many flea species and their hosts require urgent surveys and conservation.

Provenance changes revealed by a multi-proxy approach to sandstone analysis and its implications on palaeogeography: Mesozoic Kutch Basin, India

Sedimentary rocks preserve the geological history of a basin and play a key role in constraining the palaeogeography. The Mesozoic Kutch Basin (India) comprises a number of sub-basins representing a pericratonic rift formed during the break-up of Gondwanaland. It preserves sediment deposited during the rifting and drifting of the Indian subcontinent. The current study identifies evidence of provenance changes recorded in Mesozoic sandstone units using a multi-proxy approach of quantitative modal analysis, quantitative heavy-mineral analysis and garnet chemistry. The Mesozoic sedimentary successions in the sub-basins are classified as the Kutch Mainland Group (KMG), the Pachchham Island Group (PIG) and the Eastern Kutch Group (EKG). Although the sub-basins are thought to share sediment from common source areas and the sandstone units are highly mature quartz arenites, the heavy-mineral assemblages (especially the content of zircon, tourmaline, rutile, apatite and staurolite) indicate previously unreported variation in the sediment source for the PIG when compared to the KMG and EKG. Moreover, an increase in the content of staurolite and kyanite in combination with rising trends of the ratios of staurolite–kyanite and zircon–tourmaline–rutile over garnet (St + Ky/Grt and ZTR/Grt) for the Callovian and younger strata is observed in the KMG and EKG. The above indicates a change in source from the older to the younger strata in each of the two sub-basins. The absence of their coeval strata in the PIG gives credence to the previously postulated rise of a subsurface basement high, the Median High in this basin. However, the timing of the rise remained so far unspecified, mentioned as “later in Jurassic” (Biswas, 2016b). The observations made in the current study constrain the rise of the Median High in the Kutch Basin to the Callovian time. The similarities in trends of the ratio of heavy minerals and garnet chemistry as well as variations in igneous garnet suggest recycling within the Kutch Basin from the Callovian to Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian strata in the EKG to the Kimmeridgian to Albian strata in the KMG.Besides revealing previously unknown details in the evolutionary and palaeogeographic history of the different sub-basins constituting the Kutch Basin, this multi-proxy study demonstrates the high potential of using recently developed techniques in provenance analysis i.e., the semi-automated heavy-mineral analysis by Raman spectroscopy and the state-of-the-art machine-learning aided garnet discrimination scheme. This study also provides a globally applicable workflow for other sedimentary basins, especially rift basins characterised by overall highly mature quartz arenites.

Nature of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary beneath the Eastern Dharwar Craton of the Indian Shield

• Thickness and nature of lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary has been discussed. • Partial melts may explain the shallow and sharp lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary. • Plume induced lithospheric thinning argued beneath the Eastern Dharwar Craton . • The Eastern Dharwar Craton lithosphere has been substantially modified. The lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is a fundamental element of the plate tectonic hypothesis that accommodates the differential motion of rigid lithosphere over the weaker asthenosphere . In recent times, various usages have been used to define the LAB, depending on the nature of their measurements. Here, we investigate the lithospheric structure beneath the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) of the Indian Shield using geochemical, thermal and seismological data sets. We analysed S-receiver functions from the stations deployed in the EDC along with the surface wave dispersion tomography. We also added thermal measurements from 5 different locations and geochemical data from 34 Kimberlite/Lamproite xenolith samples to constrain the nature of the LAB. The seismological measurements using Rayleigh wave dispersion and receiver function analysis indicate the lithospheric thickness of 98–118 and 94–118 km respectively, with sharp transition across the LAB. The P-T results from xenoliths are interpreted in concurrence with the heat-flow measurements suggesting a thick thermal lithosphere of ∼ 200 km for the normal mantle solidus with cold geotherm. To reconcile our observations, we invoke partial melts or melts enriched in volatiles, which significantly lowers the viscosity of mantle rocks inducing a zone of weakness between the rigid lithosphere (∼125 km) and the convective asthenosphere. Further, we favour the view that the thick lithosphere beneath the Indian plate has been thinned by a plume during the Gondwanaland breakup at ∼ 130 Ma. The presence of younger kimberlites from the Indian shield support that it is further degenerated by the delamination leading to an uneven topography in the LAB.

Phylogenetic analysis of the family Megalopodidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea): better taxon-sampling facilitates detection of new relationships and new taxa.

The systematics of Megalopodidae is not adequately known, in spite of it being a relatively small group of phytophagous beetles. The first phylogenetic analysis of Megalopodidae with a comprehensive generic representation (25 genera of 30 described, 10 subgenera and 77 species) is undertaken. A parsimony analysis under equal and implied weights was carried out based on 147 adult and larval morphological characters. Subfamilies Palophaginae and Zeugophorinae were recovered as monophyletic, by contrast with Megalopodinae, which proved to be paraphyletic. Atelederinae are proposed as a new subfamily. Also, three tribes and three subtribes within Megalopodinae are proposed: Leucasteini trib.n., Sphondyliini trib.n. and Megalopodini, the latter including Macrolophina subtrib.n., Temnaspidina subtrib.n. and Megalopodina. The genera Macrolopha, Kuilua, Poecilomorpha, Temnaspis, Antonaria, Agathomerus, Megalopus and Bothromegalopus were recovered as non-monophyletic. New delimitations of the polyphyletic genera Poecilomorpha and Macrolopha are proposed, Clythraxeloma is resurrected, and the subgenera of Agathomerus are suppressed. The following new combinations are proposed: Kuilua apicata (Fairmaire), K. nyassae (Jacoby), Poecilomorpha cribricollis (Pic), P. minuta (Pic), Clythraxeloma assamensis (Jacoby), C. bipartita (Lacordaeri), C. discolineata (Pic), C. downesii (Baly), C. gerstaeckeri (Westwood), C. laosensis (Pic), C. maculata (Pic), C. mouhoti (Baly), C. nigrocyanea (Motschulsky), C. pretiosa (Reineck), Temnaspis tricoloripes (Pic) and Barticaria faciatus (Dalman). Clythraxeloma cyanipennis Kraatz is a restored combination. Distribution patterns of Megalopodidae largely conform to the breakup of Gondwanaland, with its main clades having particular distributions: Andean-Australian (Palophaginae), Ethiopian (Leucasteini, Sphondyliini, and Macrolophina), Neotropical (Ateledrinae and Megalopodina) and Ethiopian-Oriental-Palaearctic (Temnaspidina the result of a secondary expansion. Zeugophorinae present a worldwide distribution, except for the Neotropical and Andean regions, which may be the result of geodispersal. The findings of the present study also shed light on groups with taxonomic issues, where phylogenetic analyses are strongly needed.

Velocity structure and radial anisotropy of the lithosphere in southern Madagascar from surface wave dispersion

SUMMARYWe investigate the upper mantle seismic structure beneath southern Madagascar and infer the imprint of geodynamic events since Madagascar’s break-up from Africa and India and earlier rifting episodes. Rayleigh and Love wave phase velocities along a profile across southern Madagascar were determined by application of the two-station method to teleseismic earthquake data. For shorter periods (<20 s), these data were supplemented by previously published dispersion curves determined from ambient noise correlation. First, tomographic models of the phase velocities were determined. In a second step, 1-D models of SV and SH wave velocities were inverted based on the dispersion curves extracted from the tomographic models. As the lithospheric mantle is represented by high velocities we identify the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary by the strongest negative velocity gradient. Finally, the radial anisotropy (RA) is derived from the difference between the SV and SH velocity models. An additional constraint on the lithospheric thickness is provided by the presence of a negative conversion seen in S receiver functions, which results in comparable estimates under most of Madagascar. We infer a lithospheric thickness of 110−150 km beneath southern Madagascar, significantly thinner than beneath the mobile belts in East Africa (150−200 km), where the crust is of comparable age and which were located close to Madagascar in Gondwanaland. The lithospheric thickness is correlated with the geological domains. The thinnest lithosphere (∼110 km) is found beneath the Morondava basin. The pre-breakup Karoo failed rifting, the rifting and breakup of Gondwanaland have likely thinned the lithosphere there. The thickness of the lithosphere in the Proterozoic terranes (Androyen and Anosyen domains) ranges from 125 to 140 km, which is still ∼30 km thinner than in the Mozambique belt in Tanzania. The lithosphere is the thickest beneath Ikalamavony domain (Proterozoic) and the west part of the Antananarivo domain (Archean) with a thickness of ∼150 km. Below the eastern part of Archean domain the lithosphere thickness reduces to ∼130 km. The lithosphere below the entire profile is characterized by positive RA. The strongest RA is observed in the uppermost mantle beneath the Morondava basin (maximum value of ∼9 per cent), which is understandable from the strong stretching that the basin was exposed to during the Karoo and subsequent rifting episode. Anisotropy is still significantly positive below the Proterozoic (maximum value of ∼5 per cent) and Archean (maximum value of ∼6 per cent) domains, which may result from lithospheric extension during the Mesozoic and/or thereafter. In the asthenosphere, a positive RA is observed beneath the eastern part Morondava sedimentary basin and the Proterozoic domain, indicating a horizontal asthenospheric flow pattern. Negative RA is found beneath the Archean in the east, suggesting a small-scale asthenospheric upwelling, consistent with previous studies. Alternatively, the relatively high shear wave velocity in the asthenosphere in this region indicate that the negative RA could be associated to the Réunion mantle plume, at least beneath the volcanic formation, along the eastern coast.

Large-scale asymmetry in thickness of crustal accretion at the Southeast Indian Ridge due to deep mantle anomalies

Abstract Hot mantle plumes and ancient cold slabs have been observed beneath modern mid-ocean ridges, but their specific and detailed effects on mid-ocean ridge crustal accretion are poorly understood. The oceanic lithosphere beneath the Southeast Indian Ocean displays unique morphological, geophysical, and geochemical characteristics, which may reflect the influence of both mantle anomalies and upwelling plumes on seafloor spreading. In this study, we combined gravity-derived oceanic crustal thickness with plate tectonic reconstructions to investigate patterns of asymmetry in thickness of crust accreted at the Southeast Indian Ridge over the last 50 m.y. Our results reveal several distinct features: (1) small-scale, short-lived asymmetries in the thickness of crustal accretion of up to 0.75 km are alternatively distributed on the southern and northern flanks of the 90°–120°E Southeast Indian Ridge segment. These can be explained by variations in mantle depletion or mantle temperature. (2) Two large-scale, long-lived (duration of ∼50 m.y.) asymmetries in crustal accretion of >2.5 km are observed around the Kerguelen Plateau and Balleny Islands, which we attribute to excess crust from the off-axis Kerguelen and Balleny mantle plumes. (3) Two large-scale, long-lived (duration of ∼50 m.y.) asymmetries in crustal accretion of 0.75–2.5 km are observed on the northern flank of the westernmost (70°–80°E) Southeast Indian Ridge and the southern flank of the eastern (120°–140°E) Southeast Indian Ridge segment, respectively. We attribute these to asymmetry in mantle temperature of up to 20–53 °C. We suggest these asymmetric temperatures across the Southeast Indian Ridge are associated with the foundered lithospheric fragments of the Indian Craton triggered by the African Large Low-Shear-Velocity Province during the breakup of Gondwanaland and an intraplate subducted slab of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, respectively. The remnant craton fragments and subducted oceanic slab may have moved north in concert with the northward-migrating Southeast Indian Ridge beginning at 50 m.y. ago.

Revisiting the thermally metamorphosed coals of the Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica

Petrographic and geochemical data for Late Permian coals and carbonaceous shales from the Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica (source: Polar Rock Repository, PRR), were used to evaluate maturation levels and assess the effects of contact metamorphism. Coals were evaluated for locations in the Southern Transantarctic Mountains, the Central Transantarctic Mountains, and South Victoria Land, including samples from the Buckley, Mt. Glossopteris, and Queen Maud formations and the Weller Coal Measures. These formations have been intruded by sills and dikes of the Jurassic Ferrar Group (177–183 Ma) associated with the breakup of Gondwanaland. Proximate (129 samples), total sulfur (69) analyses, vitrinite reflectance analysis (92), and petrographic composition (34) were determined. One third of the samples have >50% ash yields (dry basis). A subset of samples (87) with <50% ash (dry basis) was treated with 6 N HCl to remove any carbonates formed during the intrusive events. Acid treatment did not significantly reduce ash, suggesting silicates are a major component; sulfur contents of 1–2% (dry basis) decreased to <0.8% reflecting gypsum dissolution (as confirmed by XRD). Volatile matter (VM) contents (dry, ash-free or daf basis) for samples with <50% ash range from 3 to 43%. Based on VM, samples range from high volatile bituminous to anthracite; however, reflectance analysis indicates anthracite to meta-anthracite, with some reflectances >7%. Thus, VM does not reveal true rank of the Antarctic coals. Vitrinite reflectance (Rr) typically surpasses that of inertinite. The VM–Rr relationship for these coals does not follow that of coals matured by normal burial maturation, but more closely follows that of intruded coals. Coke textures, including isotropic coke and anisotropic mosaics, vacuoles, pyrolytic carbon, and coked bitumen are observed, indicating alteration by contact metamorphism and providing insights to the rank of the coal at the time of intrusion. Coarse-grained circular and fine-grained lenticular mosaic textures suggest coal rank at the time of intrusion was medium volatile bituminous coal (maximum vitrinite reflectance ~1.2%). This would imply a burial depth by time of intrusion of ~5–5.5 km (assuming 25 °C/km) or ~ 4 km (assuming 34 °C/km). Modern-day background reflectance levels of ~2.5% Rr indicate continued post-intrusion maturation, possibly due to exposure to higher regional heat flow. Coals and carbonaceous shales from the Polar Rock Repository (PRR) can provide reliable petrographic and maturation data (using reflectance) to help decipher the burial history for various parts of the Transantarctic Mountains. However, geochemical data must be used with caution due to the high original inorganic content, and possible formation of gypsum and changes in VM during long-term storage. HCl-treatment removes some of the neoformed minerals, but samples should be treated extensively with HCl-HF to remove all silicate minerals prior to proximate and ultimate analysis to ensure more reliable data.

Tectonic evolution of the intra-uplift Vigodi-Gugriana-Khirasra-Netra Fault System in the seismically active Kachchh rift basin, India: Implications for the western continental margin of the Indian plate

The E-W striking Kachchh Rift Basin (KRB) at the western continental margin of Indian plate is located in the northern part of Gujarat state, India. KRB has undergone polyphase deformation owing to changing stress-field since Late Triassic. We establish the kinematic framework along the NW striking intra-uplift Vigodi-Gugriana-Khirasra-Netra Fault System (VGKNFS) located at the western part of the KRB. The VGKNFS consists of 0.25–50 km long, sub-parallel, striated, reactivated dip-slip faults. A total of 1150 fault-slip data consisting of fault planes and striations attitude were recorded from 66 sites (including a single site with systematic joints). Slip-sense of faults was determined by documenting kinematic indicators. Paleostress analysis was carried out using Win-Tensor, T-Tecto, FaultKin and SG2PS to compare and validate the results. The chi-square statistical analysis was undertaken to evaluate how relevant are paleostress analysis results to the present-day compressional stress field. Geophysical investigations were conducted at selected sites using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to understand the shallow subsurface geometry and trace the continuity of faults buried below patchy alluvial cover. 15–17 m long, 2D GPR cross-sections were recorded across faults using monostatic antenna of 200 MHz frequency.Two major deformation events – D1 and D2 are determined in the present study. The extension event D1 shows W and NW–NNW extension during Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous. It occurred during the rift phase of KRB in response of the break-up of Gondwanaland. The latest event D2 shows NNE–NE compression from Late Cretaceous up to the present. It is interpreted to have developed during post-rift inversion phase, induced by collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate at ~55 Ma.

Environmental conditions of deposition of the Lower Cretaceous lacustrine carbonates of the Barra Velha Formation, Santos Basin (Brazil), based on stable carbon and oxygen isotopes: A continental record of pCO2 during the onset of the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a) interval?

This study presents new stable carbon and oxygen isotope data from Lower Cretaceous lacustrine carbonate rock samples recovered from a well drilled in the Santos Basin, offshore southeast Brazil. These samples represent a record of a continental environment just prior to the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and the ultimate break-up of Gondwanaland. The geochemical data, along with carbonate mineralogy, indicate repeated cycles of lake level variation that could be attributed to climatic oscillations. Despite the absence of correlations between δ13C and δ18O values, facies analysis and the isotopic and mineralogical data suggest that lake hydrology was essentially closed for most of the depositional interval studied here. The existence of persisting trends of nearly constant δ13C values with a spread in δ18O values though, suggests long water residence times in the palaeolake, equilibrium between atmosphere and lake water CO2, as well as significant evaporation of water. The overall geological model that emerges unveils a more comprehensive picture of the depositional conditions that favoured the continuity of a significant carbonate factory in the middle of the Gondwanan continent, corroborating previous studies that suggested the lasting existence of a large and somewhat shallow endorheic lake in the area during the Early Cretaceous. As a result of this recorded trend strongly suggesting equilibrium between lake waters DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon) reservoir and atmospheric CO2, the data are most consistent with lacustrine deposition rather than precipitation of travertine, contrasting with some suggestions for the genesis of the carbonates of the Barra Velha Formation. Finally, this apparent equilibrium with the atmosphere likely left a preserved record in the continental carbonates of the final stages that preceded a major global environmental disturbance associated with an increase in atmospheric CO2, known for this time as the Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1a. If this is correct, it also helps to put further time constraints on this studied interval, which should not be younger than Barremian age, and to provide a regional continental perspective on a global event.

Structural framework of the Wagad uplift and adjoining regions, Kutch rift basin, India, from aeromagnetic data

The Kutch sedimentary basin formed during the Late Triassic breakup of Gondwanaland is characterised by horst and graben structures consisting of several east–west trending uplifts surrounded by low-lying plains. The eastern part of the basin has a diverse landscape comprising the Wagad uplift, Banni plain, Island Belt uplift and the Rann of Kutch. This area is bounded by major faults like the South Wagad Fault (SWF), Gedi fault and the Island Belt Fault. The lineaments/faults present in the region at different depth levels and the propagation of these features through the different sedimentary layers are studied using the semi-detailed aeromagnetic data collected over the basin. The aeromagnetic anomaly map depicts several major E–W, NE–SW and NW–SE oriented lineaments/faults, which probably represent structural trends associated with different stages of evolution of this rift basin. Power spectral analysis of the differential reduced to pole magnetic data indicates the presence of four magnetic interfaces. The slopes identified from the 1D power spectra were used for designing matched bandpass filters for isolating and enhancing the magnetic signatures present within those interfaces. Different edge detection techniques were used to delineate the magnetic contacts/faults/lineaments present in those interfaces. In addition, we have computed the radially averaged power spectrum of 121 subset grids each with a dimension of 20 km × 20 km from which three magnetic interfaces were delineated and compared with the stratigraphic sequence of the Wagad uplift and adjoining regions. A major NE–SW fault is delineated from this analysis and suggests that this fault has depth persistence as it dislocates the different magnetic interfaces. Integration with stratigraphic data suggests that this fault was formed prior to the deposition of Miocene Kharinadi formation. We have interpreted that this fault, forming the eastern limit of the Banni basin, might have formed during the passage of the Indian plate over the Reunion hotspot. Based on the results of the aeromagnetic data analysis and other published data, we propose a generalised evolutionary model for the study region.

Defining the Limits of Greater India

AbstractGreater India comprises a part of the Indian plate that subducted under Asia to help form the Tibetan Plateau. Defining the size of the Greater India is thus a key constraint to model the India‐Asia collision, growth of the plateau, and the tectonic evolution of the Neo‐Tethyan realm. We report Early Cretaceous paleomagnetic data from the central and eastern Tethyan Himalaya that yield paleolatitudes consistent with previous Early Cretaceous paleogeographic reconstructions. These data suggest Greater India extended at least 2,675 ± 720 and 1,950 ± 970 km farther north from the present northern margin of India at 83.6°E and 92.4°E, respectively. An area of lithosphere ≥4.7 × 106 km2 was consumed through subduction, thereby placing a strict limit on the minimum amount of Indian lithosphere consumed since the breakup of Gondwanaland.

Indopolystoma n. gen. (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) with the description of three new species and reassignment of eight known Polystoma species from Asian frogs (Anura, Rhacophoridae).

The polystomes (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) radiated across semi-aquatic tetrapods including all three amphibian orders, freshwater turtles and the hippopotamus. Prior to this study, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the most diverse and widespread genus, Polystoma, was not monophyletic; a lineage comprising four undescribed species from the bladder of Zhangixalus spp. (Rhacophoridae) in Asia occupied a deep phylogenetic position. Regarding vicariance biogeography and molecular dating, the origin of this lineage is correlated with the breakup of Gondwanaland in the Mesozoic period. Based on a Bayesian analysis of four concatenated genes (18S, 28S, COI and 12S) and morphological evidence, one new genus, Indopolystoma n. gen., and three new species, sampled in Japan and China, are described here: Indopolystoma viridi n. sp. from Z. viridis of Japan, Indopolystoma elongatum n. sp. from Z. arboreus of Japan, and Indopolystoma parvum n. sp. from Z. omeimontis of China. Indopolystoma is unique amongst polystome genera infecting anurans by possessing a small haptor relative to the body size, posteriormost marginal hooklet C1 much bigger than hooklets C2–C8 with conspicuous broad blade and guard and a pair of hamuli lacking a deep notch. Eight species of Asian Polystoma, all from rhacophorids, are transferred as Indopolystoma carvirostris (Fan, Li & He, 2008) n. comb., I. hakgalense (Crusz & Ching, 1975) n. comb., I. indicum (Diengdoh & Tandon, 1991) n. comb., I. leucomystax (Zhang & Long, 1987) n. comb., I. mutus (Meng, Song & Ding, 2010) n. comb., I. pingbianensis (Fan, Wang & Li, 2004) n. comb., I. rhacophori (Yamaguti, 1936) n. comb., and I. zuoi (Shen, Wang & Fan, 2013) n. comb.

Role of basaltic magmatism within the Parnaíba cratonic basin, NE Brazil

Abstract The sedimentary fill of the Parnaíba basin in NE Brazil is punctuated by two episodes of basaltic magmatism in Jurassic and Cretaceous times, known as the Mosquito and Sardinha formations, respectively. A quantitative understanding of the depth and degree of melting that generated these basalts should provide useful constraints on the history of vertical motions in this cratonic basin. We carried out forward and inverse modelling of major, trace and rare earth element concentrations for primitive melts from both igneous provinces. We calculated the melt fraction as a function of depth to determine the melt volumes and mantle potential temperatures. Our results suggest that both episodes of magmatism resulted from shallow decompression melting within the asthenospheric mantle. The Mosquito basalts record an excess temperature of 55–75°C and are probably related to the widespread Central Atlantic Magmatic Province associated with the initial break-up of Gondwanaland. By contrast, the Sardinha basalts record localized lithospheric thinning to less than half its original thickness with excess temperatures of 15–25°C. This younger activity is probably part of the Paraná–Etendeka large igneous province, which is linked to rifting between South America and Africa. We suspect that these magmatic episodes are associated with phases of regional epeirogenic uplift affecting the Parnaíba basin.

Status of Karur-Kambam-Painavu-Trichur Shear Zone, Southern Granulite Terrain in the Context of Late Mesozoic Dynamic Evolution of Western Ghats:A Geophysical-Geological Perspective

Detailed magnetic and gravity surveys in the Periyar Plateau and adjoining coastal tract (central Kerala) have brought to light a family of four major geophysical lineaments. These include the NNW-SSE trending Idamalayar lineament (LM-1) and the Kerala lineament (LM-2); both housing gabbroic and doleritic dykes dated ~90 Ma and geochemically related to the Marion plume and the NW trending Periyar lineament (LM-3) and Todupuzha lineament (LM-4) housing in part dolerite dykes dated 65 Ma and chemically related to the Reunion plume. The lineaments largely cut across the litho-tectonic framework of the Precambrian basement. Integrating geological evolution of the region, these lineaments seem to have been formed by reactivation of the deep-seated distensional fractures, that facilitated magmatic emplacements during the episodic breakup of Gondwanaland under distinctive mantle thermal regimes of the Late Mesozoic. Possibly, later in the Cenozoic, these lineaments were enlarged to their present dimensions during the uplift of Western Ghats.

Petrogenesis of Middle Triassic volcaniclastic rocks from Balochistan, Pakistan: Implications for the break-up of Gondwanaland

Basaltic volcanic conglomerates near the Wulgai village in Balochistan occur in the undivided sedimentary rock unit of the Bagh complex which is the melange zone beneath the Muslim Bagh ophiolite. The presence of Middle Triassic grey radiolarian chert within the upper and lower horizon of the conglomerates suggests that the lavas, from which these conglomerates were principally derived, were eroded and re-deposited in the Middle Triassic. The Wulgai conglomerate contains several textural and mineralogical varieties of volcanic rocks, such as porphyritic, glomerophyric, intersertal and vitrophyric basalts. The main minerals identified in these samples are augite, olivine, plagioclase (An35-78) leucite and nosean, with apatite ilmenite, magnetite and hematite occurring as accessory minerals. These rocks are mildly to strongly-alkaline with low Mg# and low Cr, Ni and Co contents suggesting that their parent magma had undergone considerable fractionation prior to eruption. Trace element-enriched mantle-normalized patterns with marked positive Nb anomalies are consistent with 10%-15% melting of an enriched mantle source in a within-plate tectonic setting. It is proposed that this Middle Triassic intra-plate volcanism may represent mantle plume-derived melts related to the Late Triassic rifting of micro-continental blocks (including Afghan, Iran, Karakorum and Lhasa) from the northern margin of Gondwana.

Southward trench migration at ∼130–120 Ma caused accretion of the Neo-Tethyan forearc lithosphere in Tibetan ophiolites

The preservation of ultrahigh-pressure and super-reduced phases (diamond, moissanite, etc.) in the harzburgites and chromitites of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites (South Tibet, China) has major implications for mantle recycling and lithosphere evolution in the tectonic system related to the closing of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean. However, important aspects of the genesis of these enigmatic ophiolites and the related geodynamic evolution are still unclear. In the Zedang ophiolite of the eastern Yarlung Zangbo Suture, detailed mineral chemical data reveal that the harzburgite domain in the east [spinel Cr# (mole Cr3+/(Cr3+ + Al3+) = 0.62–0.33] is more depleted than the lherzolite domain in the west (spinel Cr# = 0.30–0.17) and shows much lower equilibration temperatures (by ∼250–150 °C) than the lherzolites. Clinopyroxene trace-element compositions indicate that the harzburgites underwent pervasive metasomatism after melt extraction, while the lherzolites did not. New zircon U–Pb ages show that the harzburgites were intruded by dolerite dykes with chilled margins at ∼130–128 Ma, consistent with the widespread mafic magmatism at ∼130–120 Ma in the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites. Nd–Hf isotopic data indicate that the Zedang lherzolites subcreted the pre-emplaced harzburgites concurrently with the intrusion of the dolerite dykes into the harzburgites, and that the lherzolites and dolerites both were derived from upwelling asthenosphere with minor slab input. Available zircon geochronology and Hf-isotope data show that juvenile magmatism in the adjacent Gangdese Arc was almost completely interrupted from ∼130–120 Ma.We suggest that the extension of the overlying harzburgitic lithosphere, subcretion of lherzolites, intrusion of mafic dykes, and the waning of Gangdese-Arc magmatism all reflect a southward trench migration in the Neo-Tethyan subduction system from the Gangdese Arc to the oceanic forearc lithosphere. This magmatic relocation and tectonic linkage are inferred to be the far-field effects of plate reorganization related to the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision and the breakup of Gondwanaland in the early Cretaceous. This model provides a solution for the global “ophiolite conundrum”: supra-subduction-zone type ophiolites with mid-ocean-ridge features.