Late Devonian and Triassic basalts from the southern continental margin of the East European Platform, tracers of a single heterogeneous lithospheric mantle source
Franc¸oise Chalot-Prat1,∗, Petr Tikhomirov2 and Aline Saintot3,4
1Centre de Recherches Petrographiques et Geochimiques – Nancy University, BP20, 15 rue Notre Dame des
Pauvres, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France.
2Geological Faculty of Moscow State University; Vorobiovy Gory, 117311 Moscow, Russia.
3Vrije Universiteit, Instituut voor Aardwetenschappen, Tektoniek afdeling, De Boelelaan 1085,
1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
4Geological Survey of Norway, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
∗e-mail: chalot@crpg.cnrs-nancy.fr

Abstract : In Late Devonian and Early-to-Late Triassic times, the southern continental margin of the Eastern European Platform was the site of a basaltic volcanism in the Donbas and Fore-Caucasus areas respectively. Both volcanic piles rest unconformably upon Paleoproterozoic and Late Paleozoic units respectively, and emplaced during continental rifting periods some 600 km away from expected locations of active oceanic subduction zones. This paper reports a comparative geochemical study of the basaltic rocks, and views them as the best tracers of the involved mantle below the Eastern European Platform. The Late Devonian alkaline basic rocks differ from the calc-alkaline Triassic basic rocks by their higher alkali-silica ratio, their higher TiO2, K2O, P2O5 and FeO contents, their higher trace element contents, a higher degree of fractionation between the most and the least incompatible elements and the absence of Ta-Nb negative anomalies. These general features, clearly distinct from those of partial melting and fractional crystallization, are due to mantle source effects. With similar Nd and Sr isotopic signatures indicating mantle-crust mixing, both suites would originate from the melting of a same but heterogeneous continental mantle lithosphere (refertilized depleted mantle). Accordingly the Nd model ages, the youngest major event associated with mantle metasomatism occurred during Early Neoproterozoic times (∼650Ma).

Origin of Cretaceous phosphorites from the onshore of Tamil Nadu, India
V Purnachandra Rao1,∗, Pratima M Kessarkar1,
R Nagendra2 and E V S S K Babu3
1National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India.
2Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India.
3National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
∗e-mail: vprao@nio.org

Abstract : Cretaceous phosphorites from the onshore of Tamil Nadu have been investigated for their origin and compared with those in the offshore. Cretaceous phosphorites occur as light brown to yellowish brown or white nodules in Karai Shale of the Uttatur Group in the onshore Cauvery basin. Nodules exhibit phosphatic nucleus encrusted by a chalky shell of carbonate. The nucleus of the nodules consists of light and dark coloured laminae, phosphate peloids/coated grains and detrital particles interspersed between the laminae. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies reveal trapping and binding activity of microbial filaments. A mat structure with linearly arranged microbial filaments and hollow, cell-based coccoid cyanobacterial mat are present. Nodules contain abundant carbonate fluorapatite, followed by minor calcite, quartz and feldspar. The P2O5 content of the phosphorites ranges from 18 to 26%. The CaO/P2O5, Sr and F contents are higher than that of pure carbonate fluorapatite. Concentrations of Si, Al, K, Fe, and Ti are low. We suggest that the nuclei of the nodules represent phosphate clasts related to phosphate stromatolites formed at intertidal conditions. At high energy levels the microbial mats were disintegrated into phosphate clasts, coated with carbonate and then reworked into Karai Shale. On the other hand, Quaternary phosphorites occur as irregular to rounded, grey coloured phosphate clasts at water depths between 180 and 320m on the continental shelf of Tamil Nadu. They exhibit grain-supported texture. Despite Quaternary in age, they also resemble phosphate stromatolites of intertidal origin and reworked as phosphate clasts onto the shelf margin depressions. Benthic microbial mats probably supplied high phosphorus to the sediments. Availability of excess phosphorus seems to be a pre-requisite for the formation of phosphate stromatolites.


Effect of initial stress on reflection at the free surface of anisotropic elastic medium
M D Sharma
Department of Mathematics, Kurukshetra University, India 136 119.
e-mail: mohan−here@rediffmail.com

Abstract : The propagation of plane waves is considered in a general anisotropic elastic medium in the presence of initial stress. The Christoffel equations are solved into a polynomial of degree six. The roots of this polynomial represent the vertical slowness values for the six quasi-waves resulting from the presence of a discontinuity in the medium. Three of these six values are identified with the three quasi-waves traveling in the medium but away from its boundary. Reflection at the free plane surface is studied for partition of energy among the three reflected waves. For post-critical incidence, the reflected waves are inhomogeneous (evanescent) waves. Numerical examples are considered to exhibit the effects of initial stress on the phase direction, attenuation and reflection coefficients of the reflected waves. The phase velocities and energy shares of the reflected waves change significantly with initial stress as well as anisotropic symmetry. The presence of initial stress, however, has a negligible effect on the phase directions of reflected waves.



Detecting areal changes in tidal flats after sea dike construction using Landsat-TM images
Moon Seong Kang1, Sang June Im2,∗, Tae Il Jang3,
Seung Woo Park3 and Sang Min Kim4
1Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, 200 Tom E. Corley Building,
Auburn, AL36849, USA.
2Department of Forest Sciences/RIALS, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno,
Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea.
3Department of Rural Systems Engineering/RIALS, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno,
Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea.
4Department of Agricultural Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, 900, Gajwa-dong,
Jinju, Gyeongnam, 660-701, Republic of Korea.
∗e-mail: junie@snu.ac.kr.

Abstract : The main objective of this study was to estimate changes in the area of tidal flats that occurred after sea dike construction on the western coast of South Korea using Landsat-TM images. Applying the ISODATA method of unsupervised classification for Landsat-TM images, the tidal flats were identified, and the resulting areas were quantified for each image. The area of tidal flats from a topographic map published in one year differs significantly from that shown in another, which appears to be attributable to the tide levels at the time of aerial photography. During the study period, the area of tidal flats, as estimated from Landsat-TM images, increased by 4.57 km2 per year in the study areas. The tidal flats in the inner sea of Chunsu Harbor area increased by 200m2 per zone, while the accumulation for a number of inner sea areas within Asan Harbor area occurred at over 50m2 per zone. The results of this research may serve as the basis of an environmentallyfriendly development plan for tidal flats.


Features of discrete VLF emissions observed at Gulmarg, India during the magnetic storm of 6–7 March, 1986
R Singh1, A K Singh2,∗, D Siingh3,4 and R P Singh2
1Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, New Panwel, Navi Mumbai 410 218, India.
2Department of Physics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
3Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune 411 008, India.
4Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Tartu, 18, Ulikooli Street, Tartu 50090, Estonia.
∗e-mail: abhay−s@rediffmail.com

Abstract : During the analysis of archived VLF data from Indian low latitude ground stations, some discrete VLF emissions recorded at the low latitude ground station Gulmarg (geomagnetic latitude 24◦26N; geomagnetic longitude 147◦09E, L = 1.28) during moderate magnetic storm activity (K−P = 32, KP index varies from 4 to 6 during the observation period) on 6/7 March,  1986 are presented in this paper. The dynamic spectra of these discrete VLF emissions were observed along with tweeks and its harmonics, which is interesting and complex to explain. In most of the events the harmonic frequency of tweeks correlates with the starting frequency of harmonics of discrete emissions. In order to explain the observed features of discrete VLF emissions, we propose cyclotron resonance interaction between whistler mode wave and energetic electrons of inner radiation belt as possible generation mechanism. An attempt is also made to determine parallel energy, anisotropy and wave growth relevant to the generation process of VLF emissions.


FT-IR and XRD analysis of coal from Makum coalfield of Assam
Binoy K Saikia1,∗, R K Boruah2 and P K Gogoi3
1Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur 784 028, India.
2Analytical Chemistry Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Jorhat 785 006, India.
3Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786 004, India.
∗e-mail: binoyrrl@yahoo.com

Abstract : High sulphur coal sample from Ledo colliery of Makum coalfield, Assam, India was studied using FT-IR and XRD methods. FT-IR study shows the presence of aliphatic –CH, –CH2 and –CH3 groups, aliphatic C–O–C stretching associated with –OH and –NH stretching vibrations and HCC rocking (single and condensed rings). XRD pattern of the coal shows that it is amorphous in nature. Function of Radial Distribution Analysis (FRDA) indicates that coal is lignite in type and there is no evidence of graphite-like structure. The first maximum in the G(r) plot of FRDA at r = 0.14 nm relates to the aliphatic C–C bond (Type C–CH=CH–C), the second maximum at r = 0.25 nm relates to the distance between carbon atoms of aliphatic chains that are located across one carbon atom. The curve intensity profiles obtained from FRDA show quite regular molecular packets for this coal. The coal was found to be lignite in nature.


Geology and geochemistry of palaeoproterozoic low-grade metabasic volcanic rocks from Salumber area,
Aravalli Supergroup, NW India
L S Shekhawat1, M K Pandit2,∗ and D W Joshi1
1Geological Survey of India, Jhalana Dungari, Jaipur 302 004, India.
2Department of Geology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302 004, India.
∗e-mail: mpandit−jp1@sancharnet.in

Abstract : The Palaeoproterozoic Aravalli Supergroup in Salumber region includes a basal unit of metabasic volcanic rocks (Salumber volcanic rocks) overlain by a volcaniclastic/conglomerate one. Although these volcanic rocks have been metamorphosed to green-schist facies, some primary volcanic features are still preserved. This metabasic volcanic sequence can be further differentiated on the basis of textural variations, and the mineral assemblages are: (a) oligoclase + actinolite + chlorite + epidote; and (b) oligoclase + hornblende+ chlorite + biotite + Fe-Ti oxides. The SiO2 content ranges from ∼47.7 to 55.8% and MgO from ∼4.2 to 12.8%. Geochemical characteristics allow their subdivision into high Mg and Fe tholeiites. Inverse relationship of MgO with silica, alkalis and Zr is generally consistent with fractionation mechanism, also suggested by a change in colour of the rocks from dark greenish to light greenish towards the upper parts of the sequence. These metabasic volcanic rocks are enriched in incompatible trace elements and LREE (La = 30 − 40 × chondrite, Lu = 2 − 5 × chondrite), and demonstrate affinity mainly with MORB and within plate settings in geochemical tectonic discrimination schemes. The geochemical characteristics suggest a complex evolutionary history envisaging derivation of the melt from an enriched heterogeneous lithospheric source.


Geology and geochemistry of giant quartz veins from the Bundelkhand Craton, central India and their implications
J K Pati1,∗, S C Patel2, K L Pruseth3, V P Malviya1, M Arima4,
S Raju5, P Pati1 and K Prakash1
1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Nehru Science Centre, University of Allahabad,
Allahabad 211 002, India.
2Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Mumbai 400 067, India.
3Department of Earth Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605 014, India.
4Graduate School of Environmental and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University,
Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240 8501, Japan.
5Geological Survey of India (SR), Chennai 605 014, India.
∗e-mail: jkpati@yahoo.co.in

Abstract : Giant quartz veins (GQVs; earlier referred to as ‘quartz reefs’) occurring in the Archean Bundelkhand Craton (29, 000 km2) represent a gigantic Precambrian (∼2.15 Ga) silica-rich fluid activity in the central Indian shield. These veins form a striking curvilinear feature with positive relief having a preferred orientation NE–SW to NNE–SSW in the Bundelkhand Craton. Their outcrop widths vary from ≤1 to 70m and pervasively extend over tens of kilometers along the strike over the entire craton. Numerous younger thin quartz veins with somewhat similar orientation cut across the giant quartz veins. They show imprints of strong brittle to ductile–brittle deformation, and in places are associated with base metal and gold incidences, and pyrophyllite-diaspore mineralization. The geochemistry of giant quartz veins were studied. Apart from presenting new data on the geology and geochemistry of these veins, an attempt has been made to resolve the long standing debate on their origin, in favour of an emplacement due to tectonically controlled polyphase hydrothermal fluid activity.