Western Dharwar Craton Research Articles

Sub-crustal LVZ below Dharwar craton, India: An evidence for mantle metasomatism and tectonothermal activity in the Archean crust

Improved knowledge of seismic structure of the continental crust provides deep insights into the mechanism of the crustal growth since the Archean times. Reprocessing of deep seismic sounding data, acquired over western Dharwar craton, India, reveals presence of (i) a high velocity magmatic layer (7.30km/s) at the base of the crust, (ii) a higher Pn velocity (8.35km/s) at a deeper depth of 45km than in an usual Archean crust and (iii) an unusually low velocity layer (7.40km/s) at a depth range of 48–60km in the upper mantle. Such shallow subcrustal lithospheric LVZs are rarely found in a stable Archean craton, which is associated with low surface heat flow and devoid of recent tectonic activities. Considering various geological, tectonic and geothermal scenarios, occurrence of such a low velocity zone has been ascribed to chemical alteration caused by mantle metasomatism, rather than mafic partial melts or high temperature sub-solidus. The derived velocity structure and distribution of volcanic rocks of different ages in the studied area indicate multiple crust–mantle thermal interaction in the Archean crust.

Spatial variation of coda wave attenuation in the Southern Indian Shield and its implications

During the recent past the Indian peninsular shield has experienced six damaging earthquakes of M 5.4-7.7 and compelled to readdress our understanding of the seismic attenuation characteristics for better evaluation of the seismic hazards in the so-called stable shield. We have performed the seismic attenuation study using coda waves of the broadband network from 1995 to 2009 for the shield region. About 400 local earthquakes M 2.5-4.0 within an epicentral distance of 250km are used in this study. The broadband seismic stations established are in different geological provinces, such as the Archaean Dharwar craton, the southern granulite terrain, the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, the Godavari graben, the Cretaceous-Eocene Deccan volcanic province and in the Cambay basin. This allows us to understand the fluctuation of Q0 in terms of spatial variations in the geologic and tectonic provinces. The results reflect a ubiquitous observation of frequency dependence of Qc in the different geologic provinces. The rift basins exhibit lower Q0, which suggests higher attenuation due to a more heterogeneous structure. Higher Q0 in the western Dharwar craton infers lower attenuation. Similarly the Deccan volcanic province is characterized by significantly higher Q0. The results show a good correlation with the observed heat flow. The study fills an important gap in knowledge about the Q factor as well as of crustal attenuation conditions in the whole southern peninsular shield of India.

Pb–Pb zircon ages of Archaean metasediments and gneisses from the Dharwar craton, southern India: Implications for the antiquity of the eastern Dharwar craton

207Pb–206Pb ages of zircons in samples of metasediments as well as ortho- and para-gneisses from both the western and the eastern parts of the Dharwar craton have been determined using an ion microprobe. Detrital zircons in metasedimentary rocks from both yielded ages ranging from 3.2 to 3.5 Ga. Zircons from orthogneisses from the two parts also yielded similar ages. Imprints of younger events have been discerned in the ages of overgrowths on older zircon cores in samples collected throughout the craton. Our data show that the evolution of the southwestern part of eastern Dharwar craton involved a significant amount of older crust (>3.0 Ga). This would suggest that crust formation in both the western and eastern parts of the Dharwar craton took place over similar time interval starting in the Mesoarchaean at ca. 3.5 Ga and continuing until 2.5 Ga. Our data coupled with geological features and geodynamic setting of the Dharwar craton tend to suggest that the eastern Dharwar craton and the western Dharwar craton formed part of a single terrane.

A Unified Model of Neoarchean-Proterozoic Convergence and Rifting of Indian Cratons: Geophysical Constraints

Neoarchean and Proterozoic sutures and collision zones are identified in the Indian Peninsular Shield based on high seismic velocity; gravity highs and high conductivity in the upper crust due to thrusting while sub- ducted side are demarcated based on geophysical signatures of crustal thickening and back arc type basins. Some of them appear to form triple junctions. The Bouguer anomaly map of the south Indian shield when transformed to apparent density map through harmonic inversion, provided high density linear zones coin- ciding with the shear zone and the transition zone-the Moyar Bhavani Shear Zone (MBSZ) between the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) and the Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and the Dharwar cratons and the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT), respectively. It is supported by high seismic velocity and high conductiv- ity suggesting them to be caused by high grade granulite rocks related to Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic su- tures and collision zones. These investigations also suggest thick crust (~40 - 50 km) under the WDC and the SGT forming crustal root of 50 - 52 km in the south western part and thin crust of 31 - 32 km under the EDC indicating direction of convergence and subduction as E-W and N-S between the EDC and the WDC and Dharwar cratons and the SGT, respectively. It gave rise to contemporary lower crustal granulite rocks in the northern part of the SGT and Cauvery shear zone (CSZ) as collision related central core complex of various deep seated intrusive rocks of Paleo-Mesoproterozoic period. The second case belonging to Meso-proterozoic period is related to the collision of the Bundelkhand craton and the Bhandara-Bastar craton (BBC) and the Dharwar craton (DC) in Central India along the Satpura Mobile Belt (SMB) and the BBC and the DC along the Godavari Proterozoic Belt due to N-S and NE-SW convergences, respectively. This process has given rise to lower crustal granulite rocks of high density, high velocity and high conductivity along the SMB and the GPB. An upper mantle conductor delineated south of the western part of the SMB under Dec- can Volcanic Province and a regional gravity gradient almost sub parallel to it indicate an interface with flu- ids separating rocks of different densities that appears to demarcate the trace of the Proterozoic subduction and suture related to the SMB collision zone during Mesoproterozoic period. High reflectivity of the lower crust along seismic profiles across the SMB indicate an extensional phase prior to this convergence. The SMB is connected to the Aravalli Delhi Mobile Belt (ADMB) in the western part that is another collision zone of Meso-proterozoic period, forming an arcuate shaped collision zone between the Bundelkhand craton and Rajasthan block with E-W convergence. There are indications of a prior phase of convergence during Paleo-Proterozoic period followed by rifting during Paleo-Meso-proterozoic period (~1.9 - 1.6 Ga) along the SMB, the ADMB and the GPB that gave rise to large scale contemporary intrusive in these sections. The contemporary Mahakoshal-Bijawar and Pakhal group of rocks of Paleo Proterozoic period (~1.9 - 1.6 Ga) were deposited over the rifted platform of the Bundelkhand craton along the SMB and cratons along the GPB, respectively during the extensional phase as suggested above based on high reflectivity of the lower crust. It is followed by deposition of the Vindhyan sediments of Meso-Neoproterozoic period (~1.6 - 0.7 Ga) along the SMB and the ADMB as foreland basins during Meso-Neoproterozoic convergence. Simultaneous N-S and E-W directed convergences in the two cases, viz., the SMB and the ADMB that are connected forming an arcuate shaped collision zone suggest NE-SW directed primary stress direction similar to the GPB that is supported by NW-SE oriented large lineaments in Bundelkhand craton and Peninsular shield. The Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt (EGMB) also shows signatures of E-W or NE-SW directed Mesoproterozoic (~1.5 - 1.0 Ga) convergence with East Antarctica. This convergence was preceded by Paleo-Mesoproterozoic rifting (~1.9 - 1.6 Ga) that gave rise to contemporary activities of the EGMB and large scale volcanic activity that formed several basins west of it.

A translithospheric suture in the vanished 1-Ga lithospheric root of South India: Evidence from contrasting lithosphere sections in the Dharwar Craton

Garnet xenocrysts and eclogite xenoliths from 15 kimberlites (1.0–1.1 Ga in age) have been used to map the composition and structure of the lithospheric mantle along an 80-km traverse across the eastern margin of the Closepet Granite in Andhra Pradesh. The SCLM at the SW end of the traverse is more depleted (abundant harzburgites, mean X Mg of olivine ≈ 93.5, mean whole-rock Al 2O 3 ≈ 1.5%) than that at the NE end (fewer harzburgites, X Mg ≈ 92, Al 2O 3 > 2%). The depleted layer is ca 195 km thick in the SW, and ca 170 km in the NE, though geotherms are similarly low (ca 35–37 mW/m 2). The middle of the traverse is underlain by a strongly refertilised SCLM with a higher geotherm (ca 40 mW/m 2) and extensive evidence of metasomatism. At the SW end of the traverse, abundant eclogites are tightly concentrated in a layer from 175 to 190 km depth, coinciding with a zone of melt-related metasomatism. In the central part, eclogites are distributed through the highly metasomatised section from 90 to 160 km depth. These data suggest that the kimberlites at either end of the traverse sampled two distinct lithospheric blocks, perhaps coinciding with the Eastern and Western Dharwar Cratons. The zone of refertilised SCLM between them is interpreted as the cratonic suture, metasomatised by mafic melts (now eclogites). If this suture dips 70–80° to the east, its surface outcrop lies within the Closepet Granite. The “tilt” of the proposed cratonic suture may reflect overthrusting of the Eastern Dharwar Craton crust up to 100 km to the west. Recent geophysical data (seismic, MT) suggest that the depleted lithospheric root beneath the Dharwar Craton that was sampled by the 1.1 Ga kimberlites is no longer present. The removal or major modification of this root could have occurred during the breakup of Gondwanaland, and may help to explain India's rapid northward drift. India thus joins the North China Craton as an example of the destruction of an Archean continental keel.

REE-HFSE distribution/partitioning between garnetiferous restites and TTG from Nademavinapura area, Western Dharwar craton

The major part of the Peninsular Gneiss in Dharwar craton is made up of Trondjhemite-Tonalite-Granodiorite (TTG) emplaced at different periods ranging from 3.60 to 2.50 Ga. The sodic-silicic magma precursors of these rocks have geochemical features characteristic of partial melting of hydrated basalt. In these TTGs, enclaves of amphibolites (± garnet) are abundant. These restites are considered to be the residue of a basaltic crust after its partial melting. A detailed study of these (residue) enclaves reveals textures formed due to the process of partial melting. Major, trace and REE analysis of these residue enclaves and the melt TTGs and microprobe analysis of the coexisting minerals show partitioning of REE and HFSE between the precursor melt of TTGs and the upper amphibolite facies residues. Formation of garnetiferous amphibolites with biotite, Cpx and plagioclase consequent to melting, has squeezed the original MORB type of basaltic crust and given rise to the TTGs, depleted in Y, Yb, K2O, MgO, FeO, TiO2 and enriched in La, Th, U, Zr and Hf. Coevally during the process of melting, the hydrated basalt was depleted in Na2O, Al2O3, LREE, Th, U and enriched in K2O, MgO, Nb, Ti, Yb, Y, Sc, Ni, Cr and Co. Mineral chemistry of co-existing garnet-biotite and amphibole-plagioclase in these amphibolitic (restite) enclaves indicates an average temperature of 700 ± 50° C and pressure of 5 ± 1 Kbar. These data are inferred to indicate that during the garnet stability field metamorphism, effective fractionation of HREE and HFSE has taken place between the restites having Fe-Mg silicates, ilmenites and the extracted melt generated from the MORB type of hydrated basalt. These results are strongly substantiated by the reported melting experiments on hydrated basalts.

Precambrian mafic magmatism in the Western Dharwar Craton, southern India

Mafic rocks of Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) belong to two greenstone cycles of Sargur Group (3.1-3.3 Ga) and Dharwar Supergroup (2.6-2.8 Ga), belonging to different depositional environments. Proterozoic mafic dyke swarms (2.4, 2.0-2.2 and 1.6 Ga) constitute the third important cycle. Mafic rocks of Sargur Group mainly constitute a komatiitic-tholeiite suite, closely associated with layered basic-ultrabasic complexes. They form linear ultramaficmafic belts, and scattered enclaves associated with orthoquartzite-carbonate-pelite-BIF suite. Since the country rocks of Peninsular Gneiss intrude these rocks and dismember them, stratigraphy of Sargur Group is largely conceptual and its tectonic environment speculative. It is believed that the Sargur tholeiites are not fractionated from komatiites, but might have been generated and evolved from a similar mantle source at shallower depths. The layered basic-ultrabasic complexes are believed to be products of fractionation from tholeiitic parent magma. The Dharwar mafic rocks are essentially a bimodal basalt-rhyolite association that is dominated by Fe-rich and normal tholeiites. Calc-alkaline basalts and andesites are nearly absent, but reference to their presence in literature pertains mainly to carbonated, spilitized and altered tholeiitic suites. Geochemical discrimination diagrams of Dharwar lavas favour island arc settings that include fore-, intra- and back-arcs. The Dharwar mafic rocks are possibly derived by partial melting of a lherzolite mantle source and involved in fractionation of olivine and pyroxene followed by plagioclase. Distinctive differences in the petrography and geochemistry of mafic rocks across regional unconformities between Sargur Group and Dharwar Supergroup provide clinching evidences in favour of distinguishing two greenstone cycles in the craton. This has also negated the earlier preliminary attempts to lump together all mafic volcanics into a single contemporaneous suite, leading to erroneous interpretations. After giving allowances for differences in depositional and tectonic settings, the chemical distinction between Sargur and Dharwar mafic suites throws light on secular variations and crustal evolution. Proterozoic mafic dyke swarms of three major periods (2.4, 2.0-2.2 and 1.6 Ga) occur around Tiptur and Hunsur. The dykes also conform to the regional metamorphic gradient, with greenschist facies in the north and granulite facies in the south, resulting from the tilt of the craton towards north, exposing progressively deeper crustal levels towards the south. The low-grade terrain in the north does not have recognizable swarms, but the Tiptur swarm consists essentially of amphibolites and Hunsur swarm mainly of basic granulites, all of them preserving cross-cutting relations with host rocks, chilled margins and relict igneous textures. There are also younger dolerite dykes scattered throughout the craton that are unaffected by this metamorphic zonation. Large-scale geochemical, geochronological and palaeomagnetic data acquisition through state-of-the-art instrumentation is urgently needed in the Dharwar craton to catch up with contemporary advancements in the classical greenstone terrains of the world.

Geochemistry of late Archaean metagreywackes from the Western Dharwar Craton, South India: Implications for provenance and nature of the Late Archaean crust

Late Archaean metagreywackes of the Ranibennur Formation, Dharwar Supergroup, in the Dharwar–Shimoga schist belt of the Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) are texturally and mineralogically immature of the quartz-intermediate type. The SiO 2 content in them ranges from 60.58 to 65.26 wt.%. Chemical Index of weathering (CIW) values varies between 50 and 65. 4 indicating a low degree of chemical alteration of the provenance rocks. A high degree of correlation between K 2O and Al 2O 3 ( r = − 0.73) and low Rb/Sr ratios also suggest a low degree of alteration of provenance rocks. Abundances of transition group elements (Cr = 118–221; N = 89–154; V = 89–192 and Sc = 11–16 ppm) as well Zr (132–191 ppm) suggest a mixed mafic–felsic provenance for the metagreywackes. Low HREE and Y content, and low Tb/Yb ratios (0.23–0.41) suggest the presence of tonalite as an important component in the provenance areas. Values of Eu/Eu⁎(0.78) and Th/Sc (0.55) suggest that the granodioritic upper crust had evolved prior to serving as the provenance. Mixing calculations suggest 50–55 vol.% tonalite, 20–25 vol.% granite, 18–20 vol.% basalt and ~ 5 vol.% komatiite composition for the provenance. Geochemical characteristics of the Ranibennur metagreywackes suggest that sedimentary basin formed in the vicinity of a magmatic arc in a continental island arc setting, and the detritus were shed from the arc rock.

Precambrian continental strain and shear zone patterns: South Indian case

This study addresses the tectonic and mechanical significance of crustal‐scale strain and shear zone patterns in the South Indian Precambrian lithosphere. It is based on a tectonic map of the Dharwar craton derived from LANDSAT imagery, existing documentation, and our own field observations. We document the contrasted responses of the two main parts of the craton to late Archean (2.56–2.51 Ga) shortening. The old (>3 Ga) lithosphere of the Western Dharwar craton stabilized at 2.61 Ga underwent moderate shortening and strain localization along spaced shear zones. The Eastern Dharwar craton, rejuvenated by late Archean juvenile magmatic accretion, responded to shortening by flowing laterally against the Western Dharwar craton. Shortening operated without significant thickening because of the high buoyancy of the juvenile crust and the very low strength of its mantle lithosphere. The late Archean crustal‐scale shear zone network did not accommodate large displacements and only contributed to smoothing out of strain heterogeneities during the latest stages of flow. The shear zone pattern only reflects the symmetry of the regional finite strain field of a wide hot orogen. It does not result from terrain amalgamation but accompanies crustal flow and does not compare with those of modern active margins, which accommodate unidirectional transpression. Our analysis further suggests that the shear zones bounding the craton did not record large horizontal displacements during final assembly of Gondwana but rather transverse shortening and vertical extrusion.

Lithosphere of the Dharwar craton by joint inversion ofPandSreceiver functions

SUMMARY The Archean Dharwar craton in south India is known for long time to be different from most other cratons. Specifically, at station Hyderabad (HYB) the Ps converted phases from the 410and 660-km mantle discontinuities arrive up to 2 s later than in other cratons of comparable age, which implies lower upper mantle velocities. To resolve the unique lithosphere‐asthenosphere system of the Dharwar craton, we inverted jointly P and S receiver functions and teleseismic P and S traveltime residuals at 10 seismograph stations. This method operates in the same depth range as long-period surface waves but differs by much higher lateral and radial resolution. We observe striking differences in crustal structures between the eastern and western Dharwar craton (EDC and WDC, respectively): crustal thickness is of around 31 km, with predominantly felsic velocities, in the EDC and of around 55 km, with predominantly mafic velocities, in the WDC. In the mantle we observe significant variations in the P velocity with depth, practically without accompanying variations in the S velocity. In the mantle S velocity there are azimuthdependent indications of the Hales discontinuity at a depth of ∼100 km. The most conspicuous feature of our models is the lack of the high velocity mantle keel with the S velocity of ∼4.7 km s −1 , typical of other Archean cratons. The S velocity in our models is close to 4.5 km s −1 from the Moho to a depth of ∼250 km. There are indications of a similar upper mantle structure in the northeast of the Indian craton and of a partial recovery of the normal shield structure in the northwest. A division between the high S-velocity western Tibet and low S-velocity eastern Tibet may be related to a similar division between the northeastern and northwestern Indian craton.

3.35 Ga komatiite volcanism in the western Dharwar craton, southern India: Constraints from Nd isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry

We present field, petrographic, Sm–Nd whole-rock isochron and whole-rock geochemical data for komatiites from Sargur Group greenstone belts of the western Dharwar craton. Field evidence such as pillow structure indicates their eruption in a marine environment. Petrographic data reveal that the igneous mineralogy has been altered during post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration processes corresponding to greenschist- to lower amphibolite facies conditions with rarely preserved primary olivine and orthopyroxene. A 16-point Sm–Nd whole-rock isochron gives an age of 3352 ± 110 Ma for the timing of eruption of komatiite lavas. About 60% of the studied komatiite samples show Al-depletion whilst the remaining are Al-undepleted. The Al-depleted komatiites are characterised by high CaO/Al 2O 3 ratios (1.01–1.34) and low Al 2O 3/TiO 2 (5–16) whereas Al-undepleted komatiites show lower CaO/Al 2O 3 ratios (0.59–0.99) and higher Al 2O 3/TiO 2 (17–26). Trace element distribution patterns of komatiites suggest that most of the primary geochemical and Nd isotopic compositions are preserved with only minor influence of post-magmatic alteration processes and negligible crustal contamination. The chemical characteristics of Al-depleted komatiites, such as high (Gd/Yb) N together with lower HREE, Y, Zr and Hf, imply their derivation from deeper upper mantle with garnet (majorite?) involvement, whereas lower (Gd/Yb) N slightly higher HREE, Y, Zr and Hf suggest derivation from shallower upper mantle without garnet involvement. The observed chemical characteristics (CaO/Al 2O 3, Al 2O 3/TiO 2, MgO, Ni, Cr, Nb, Zr, Y, Hf, REE) indicate derivation of the komatiite magmas from different depths in a plume setting, whereas sub-contemporaneous felsic volcanism and TTG accretion can be attributed to an arc setting. In order to explain the spatial association of komatiite volcanism with contemporaneous mafic-felsic volcanism and TTG accretion we propose a combined plume-arc setting. Nd isotope data of the studied komatiites indicate depleted mantle reservoirs which may have evolved by early (>4.53 Ga) global differentiation of the silicate Earth as suggested by Boyet and Carlson [Boyet, M., Carlson, R.W., 2005. 142Nd evidence for early (>4.53 Ga) global differentiation of silicate Earth. Science 309, 577–581] or extraction of continental crust during the early Archaean.

Crustal growth processes as illustrated by the Neoarchaean intraoceanic magmatism from Gadwal greenstone belt, Eastern Dharwar Craton, India

Geochemical studies on metavolcanic rocks of the Gadwal greenstone belt (GGB), eastern Dharwar craton, have documented several rock types that are indicative of subduction zone tectonics reflecting on the crustal growth processes in the Dharwar craton. The dominance of komatiites in the western Dharwar craton (WDC) and the arc volcanics in the eastern Dharwar craton (EDC) is an indication for the predominance of plume magmatism in the WDC and the intraoceanic subduction zone processes in EDC which together played a significant role in the growth and evolution of continental crust in the Dharwar craton. Boninites of GGB are high calcic type with high MgO (13–24 wt.%) and a characteristic MREE depleted U-shaped REE patterns whereas the basalts have flat REE patterns with no Eu anomalies. Nb-enriched basalts exhibit slightly fractionated REE patterns with high Nb (8–26 ppm) content compared to arc basalts. Adakites of GGB are Sr depleted with highly fractionated REE patterns and no Eu anomaly compared to rhyolites. The occurrence of boninites along with arc basalts, Nb-enriched basalts–basalt–andesite–dacite–rhyolites and adakites association in Gadwal greenstone belt indicate the intraoceanic subduction zone processes with a clear cut evidence of partial melting of metasomatized mantle wedge (boninites), melting of subducting slab (adakites) and residue of adakite–wedge hybridization (Nb-enriched basalts) which have played a significant role in the growth of continental crust in the Dharwar craton during the Neoarchaean.

Geochemistry of black shales from the Neoarchaean Sandur Superterrane, India: First cycle volcanogenic sedimentary rocks in an intraoceanic arc–trench complex

The ∼2.7 Ga Sandur Superterrane (SST), of the western Dharwar craton, is a collage of greenstone terranes having distinct lithotectonic associations; volcanic associations are prevalent. Fine-grained metasedimentary rocks, which are optimal for provenance studies, are sparse in greenstone terranes of this craton. However, extensive shale sequences are present in the eastern volcanic terrane (EVT) and the eastern felsic volcanic terrane (EFVT) of the SST. Within the EVT, the black shales are stratigraphically associated with black cherts, metabasalt and banded iron formation (BIF), and underlain by greywackes. Shales have compositions of tholeiitic basalt in terms of TiO 2, Cr, Co, Ni, V, and Sc contents, and plot near the arc basalt endmember on the Th/Sc versus Sc mixing hyperbola. In contrast, Archean average upper continental crust of Taylor and McLennan [Taylor, S.R., McLennan, S.M., 1985. The Continental crust: Its Composition and Evolution. Blackwell, Oxford, 307p.; Taylor, S.R., McLennan, S.M., 1995. The geochemical evolution of the continental crust. Rev. Geophys. 33, 241–265], plots mid-hyperbola indicative of bimodal arc magma provenance. Accordingly, the Sandur shales likely had a catchment in an oceanic arc or back-arc dominated by tholeiitic basalts. Specifically, Nb/Th ratios 1.5–2.5 in shales are close to those of Archean arc basalts (1–4), so a plateau or ocean island basalt source, where Nb/Th >8, can be ruled out. Compositionally, cherts are shale highly diluted by silica, with positive Eu anomalies, and are interpreted to be hydrothermal sediments precipitated from reduced fluids during periods of limited siliciclastic input. In the shales, variable SiO 2 and Fe 2O 3 contents, depletions of MnO, MgO, and Na 2O, and positive to negative Eu anomalies, but gains of K relative to arc basalt compositions, are interpreted as due to hydrothermal alteration. Greywackes underlying the shales have two compositions. Type I is similar to the shales, whereas Type II has fractionated REE with negative Eu anomalies consistent with a cratonic granitoid catchment [Manikyamba, C., Naqvi, S.M., Moeen, S., Gnaneswar Rao, T., Balaram, V., Ramesh, S.V., Reddy, G.L.N., 1997a. Geochemical heterogeneities of metagreywackes from the Sandur schist belt: implications for active plate margin processes. Precambrian Res. 84, 117–138]. Collectively, the results are in keeping with an intraoceanic arc outboard of a continental margin. During transgression the trench has a low energy shale facies with dominant arc contribution, but for regression high energy greywackes are deposited from a cratonic provenance.

2.61 Ga potassic granites and crustal reworking in the western Dharwar craton, southern India: Tectonic, geochronologic and geochemical constraints

We present combined field, structural data and spot image analysis, petrographic data, U–Pb zircon ages, Nd isotopes and whole-rock geochemical data for the late Archaean granite plutons from Arsikere–Banavara (AB suite) and Chitradurga–Jampalnaikankote–Hosdurga (CJH suite), in the western Dharwar craton (WDC). AB plutons are syn-kinematic with respect to the development of dome-and-basin patterns resulting from partial crustal diapiric overturn (D1), whilst CJH suite plutons show deformation patterns resulting from the superimposition of large-scale regional strike-slip shearing (D2) onto D1 syn-emplacement fabrics. SIMS U–Pb zircon ages of 2614±10Ma for the Chitradurga pluton (CJH) and of 2617±3Ma for the Arsikere pluton (AB) define the minimum age of the D1 strain pattern.The CJH and AB suites are mainly high-K granites whose origin is to be sought in partial melting of an old (>3.0Ga) depleted lower crust of intermediate composition. The CJH and AB suites correspond mainly to the CA1- and CA2-types of Archaean calc-alkaline granites and some facies to the transitional TTG. Their heterogeneous chemical compositions indicate involvement of various sources and also significantly different depths of partial melting to produce these granites.These results allow documenting regional partial reworking of the WDC 2615Ma ago, requiring an HT event to have taken place before 2.61Ga and thus different from the 2.55 to 2.51Ga granulite facies metamorphic episode associated to regional-scale strike-slip shearing (D2) that affected the entire craton. Partial reworking of the older lower crust at 2.61Ga and associated deformation would result from heat advection and/or crustal thickening that may relate to voluminous mafic greenstone volcanism and moderate shortening at that time.

Analysis of airborne magnetic and gravity anomalies of peninsular shield, India integrated with seismic and magnetotelluric results and gravity anomalies of Madagascar, Sri Lanka and East Antarctica

Modelling of gravity and airborne magnetic data integrated with seismic studies suggest that the linear gravity and magnetic anomalies associated with Moyar Bhavani Shear Zone (MBSZ) and Palghat Cauvery Shear Zone (PCSZ) are caused by high density and high susceptibility rocks in upper crust which may represent mafic lower crustal rocks. This along with thick crust (44–45 km) under the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) indicates collision of Dharwar craton towards north and SGT towards south with N–S directed compression during 2.6–2.5 Ga. This collision may be related to contemporary collision northwards between Eastern Madagascar–Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC). Arcuate shaped N and S-verging thrusts, MBSZ-Mettur Shear and PCSZ-Gangavalli Shear, respectively across Cauvery Shear zone system (CSZ) in SGT also suggest that the WDC, EDC and SGT might have collided almost simultaneously during 2.6–2.5 Ga due to NW–SE directed compressional forces with CSZ as central core complex in plate tectonics paradigm preserving rocks of oceanic affinity. Gravity anomalies of schist belts of WDC suggest marginal and intra arc basin setting. The gravity highs of EGFB along east coast of India and regional gravity low over East Antarctica are attributed to thrusted high-density lower crustal/upper mantle rocks at a depth of 5–6 km along W-verging thrust, which is supported by high seismic velocity and crustal thickening, respectively. It may represent a collision zone at about 1.0 Ga between India and East Antarctica. Paired gravity anomalies in the central part of Sri Lanka related to high density intrusives under western margin of Highland Complex and crustal thickening (40 km) along eastern margin of Highland Complex with several arc type magmatic rocks of about 1.0 Ga in Vijayan Complex towards the east may represent collision between them with W-verging thrust as in case of EGFB. The gravity high of Sri Lanka in the central part falls in line with that of EGFB, in case it is fitted in Gulf of Mannar and may represent the extension of this orogeny in Sri Lanka.

Aeromagnetic Image of a part of Peninsular India and its Relation to Geology and Structure

The total intensity aeromagnetic image of a part of peninsular India, published recently (GSI, 2000) by the Geological Survey of India, covers the area between the latitudes 8° N to 25° N and the longitudes 74° E and 89° E, exclusive of a major portion of the Deccan Volcanic Province, which is yet to be covered by aeromagnetic surveys. The aeromagnetic coverage over most of the area was at a nominal line spacing of 400 m and at a flight height varying between 1500 m and 2700 m above mean sea level. Over areas such as the Cuddapah Basin and parts of the Singhbhum Craton, drape-flown data with 1000 m and 250 m line spacing were included in the image. Because of the varying flight heights, we continued all the data either upward or downward to a common altitude of 2100 m to produce a consistent contiguous image.As the inclination of the Earth’s field varies between 0° and 35°, we produced a Reduced to Pole (RTP) image, which gives a better understanding of the magnetic anomalies, by transforming the total magnetic intensity data by parts and then stitching them together. We also provide the first vertical derivative image of the RTP data, which provides a better insight to near-surface structures. Our interpretation, based on the images of total magnetic intensity, RTP, and first vertical derivative data is presented in this paper.In general, the total magnetic intensity image brought out the regional geology and structure very well. The southern granulite terrain differentiates itself from the rest of the area by means of high amplitude and high frequency anomalies. The boundary between the western and eastern Dharwar Cratons appears to be the eastern boundary of the Chitradurga Schist Belt. The boundary of the Karimnagar Granulite Terrain could be established from the image. Several major lineaments that were previously unknown could be identified from this image. A major lineament, starting from the west coast and extending about 1500 km to Bhuvaneswar in the east, cuts across other major trends and might be of tectonic significance. The image supports the proposition that the Peninsular Shield is an agglomeration of land masses that came together and were sutured in the course of geological time. The image also provides clues to the intracratonic tectonic elements or subdivisions with characteristic cross trends. The Godavari, Mahanadi, and Damodar Rift Systems appear to have been connected together and joined to the Narmada Rift, and this is another new inference from the image.

Relative timing of deformation and two-stage gold mineralization at the Hutti Mine, Dharwar Craton, India

Gold mineralization at Hutti is confined to a series of nine parallel, N–S to NNW–SSE trending, steeply dipping shear zones. The host rocks are amphibolites and meta-rhyolites metamorphosed at peak conditions of 660±40°C and 4±1 kbar. They are weakly foliated (S1) and contain barren quartz extension veins. The auriferous shear zones (reefs) are typically characterized by four alteration assemblages and laminated quartz veins, which, in places, occupy the entire reef width of 2–10 m, and contain the bulk of gold mineralization. A <1.5 m wide distal chlorite-sericite (+biotite, calcite, plagioclase) alteration zone can be distinguished from a 3–5 m wide proximal biotite-plagioclase (+quartz, muscovite, calcite) alteration zone. Gold is both spatially and temporally associated with disseminated arsenopyrite and pyrite mineralization. An inner chlorite-K-feldspar (+quartz, calcite, scheelite, tourmaline, sphene, epidote, sericite) alteration halo, which rims the laminated quartz veins, is characterized by a pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, ilmenite, rutile, and gold paragenesis. The distal chlorite-sericite and proximal biotite-plagioclase alteration assemblages are developed in microlithons of the S2–S3 crenulation cleavage and are replaced along S3 by the inner chlorite-K-feldspar alteration, indicating a two-stage evolution for gold mineralization. Ductile D2 shearing, alteration, and gold mineralization formed the reefs during retrograde evolution and fluid infiltration under upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies conditions (560±60°C, 2±1 kbar). The reefs were reactivated in the D3 dextral strike-slip to oblique-slip environment by fault-valve behavior at lower greenschist facies conditions (ca. 300–350°C), which formed the auriferous laminated quartz veins. Later D4 crosscutting veins and D5 faults overprint the gold mineralization. The alteration mineralogy and the structural control of the deposit clearly points to an orogenic style of gold mineralization, which took place either during isobaric cooling or at different levels of the Archean crust. From overlaps in the tectono-metamorphic history, it is concluded that gold mineralization occurred during two tectonic events, affecting the eastern Dharwar craton in south India between ca. 2550 – 2530 Ma: (1) The assemblage of various terranes of the eastern block, and (2) a tectono-magmatic event, which caused late- to posttectonic plutonism and a thermal perturbation. It differs, however, from the pre-peak metamorphic gold mineralization at Kolar and the single-stage mineralization at Ramagiri. Notably, greenschist facies gold mineralization occurred at Hutti 35–90 million years later than in the western Dharwar craton.

Radioelements and heat production of an exposed Archaean crustal cross-section, Dharwar craton, south India

The Dharwar craton (DC) in south India exposes a tilted ∼30-km-thick crustal section equivalent to upper, middle and lower Archaean continental crust. The DC is composed of poly-magmatic–metamorphic terrains such as the Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) whose contact is marked by the Closepet Granite batholith (CG). In-situ gamma-ray spectrometric analysis has been carried out to measure K, U and Th abundance at 1023 sites covering all major rock formations of the DC. The data show that the greenschist and amphibolite facies tonalite–trondhjemite–granodioritic (TTG) gneisses of the WDC are poorer in radioelements compared to granodioritic gneisses of the EDC. Similarly, the WDC granites of the amphibolite facies region have lower abundance indicating their derivation from a depleted lower crust, which had suffered an earlier crustal differentiation. The elemental data on the gneisses in the WDC and EDC do not show a difference between the greenschist and amphibolite facies, but there is a marked depletion in the granulite facies. The depletion reaches a maximum in the high- P granulites in the southernmost part of the DC. The elongate CG is an I-type, calc-alkaline, metaluminous granite, which exposes a ∼12-km-thick batholith, where K is remarkably uniform but U and Th show several fold increase with decreasing crustal levels. Heat production was calculated from the radioelemental data. For estimating the radiogenic heat contribution of crust to heat flow, we arrive at a present-day crustal configuration comprising four northerly dipping metamorphic facies layers: greenschist, amphibolite, metasomatized granulite and depleted granulite. Gross heat production of each layer is computed from heat production of constituent rocks and their abundance. The crustal contribution is found to decrease, from greenschist to granulite facies regions, from 23 to 18 mW m −2 in the WDC, 27 to 7 mW m −2 in the EDC. Surface heat flow and the crustal contribution models indicate that mantle heat flow of the WDC is lower (7–10 mW m −2) compared to the EDC (17–24 mW m −2) in the greenschist and amphibolite facies regions. High mantle heat flow of 29 mW m −2 beneath the depleted granulite facies region of the EDC appears anomalous in the Dharwar craton.

Chipping of cratons and breakup along mobile belts of a supercontinent

Probably one of the most significant heterogeneities of a continental lithosphere is the noticeable difference in the thickness and properties of its cratonic and mobile parts. The trans-continental mobile belts (Paleoorogens/ paleo-sutures) represent a relatively thinner, warm, wet and weak lithosphere, which makes it more vulnerable to episodic mantle (or plume) upwellings and compressional forces. Here evidence is presented from the Indian continental lithosphere to show that these properties of mobile belts (MB) facilitate channeling of thermomagmatic fluxes (TMF) in both lateral as well as vertical directions. This, to a major extent, can account for the observed concentration (or focusing) of geophysical anomalies, tectonomagmatic features and strain along these MBs. In addition, a closer examination of the three continental breakups of Greater India since the Cretaceous reveals that the combination of a sufficiently weakened MB and mantle plume could become ‘fatal’ for the supercontinental stability. On the other hand, the thick (>200 km) or deep-rooted continental lithosphere beneath cratons is characterized by a relatively cold and dry lithosphere, which resists remobilization. From this relative impenetrability, TMFs are channeled mostly through the MBs following the long-term stability of the cratonic lithosphere. This difference in cratonic and MB regimes results in strongly heterogeneous thermal blanketing. However, in certain situations, the edge of a cratonic region may also get chipped-off following a number of thermotectonic rejuvenations of adjoining MBs—as exemplified by the breakup of the Antongil and Masora cratonic blocks (now lying on the Madagascar) from the Western Dharwar craton (India) during the India- Madagascar separation. From the study of supercontinental dispersals, it seems that the processes of breakup along pre-existing mobile belts may be globally applicable. This is, at times, also accompanied by chipping of cratons.

Unusual lithospheric structure and evolutionary pattern of the cratonic segments of the South Indian shield

The southern Indian shield, characterised by several prominent geological and geophysical features, can be divided into three distinct tectonic segments: Western Dharwar craton (WDC), Eastern Dharwar craton (EDC) and Southern Granulite terrain (SGT). With the exception of WDC, the entire crust beneath EDC and SGT has been remobilized several times since their formation during the mid- to late Archeans (3.0–2.5 Ga). In order to understand the evolutionary history of these segments, a multiparametric geological and geophysical study has been made which indicates that the south Indian shield, characterized by a reduced heat flow of 23–38 mW/m2 has a much thinner (88–163 km) lithosphere compared to ∼200–450 km found in other global shields. In the EDC-SGT terrain, high velocity upper crust is underlain by considerably low mantle velocity with a thick high conductive/low velocity zone sandwiched at mid crustal level. Our study reveals that the entire EDC region is underlain by granulite facies rocks with a density of about 2.85 to 3.16 g/cm3 at a shallow depth of about 8 km in the southern part and at even shallower depth of about 1 to 2 km below the Hyderabad granitic region in the north. Cratonic mantle lithosphere beneath EDC may contain a highly conductive, anisotropic and hydrous metasomatic zone between the depth of 90 and 105 km where estimated temperatures are in the range of 850–975°C. It is likely that before the early Proterozoic, the entire south Indian shield was a coherent crustal block which subsequently got segmented due to persistent plume-induced episodic thermal reactivations during the last 2.7 Ga. These reactivations led to self destruction of cratonic roots giving rise to negative buoyancy at deeper levels which may have been responsible for crustal remobilisations, followed by regional uplifting and erosion of once substantially thick greenstone belts. Consequently, the crustal column beneath the EDC has become highly evolved and now corresponds closely to SGT at depth.