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Dharwar craton; Gadag schist belt; gravity method; inversion

Semi-detailed gravity investigations were carried out over an area of approximately 2750 sq km with maximum N-S and E-W extents of 55 and 50 km respectively in the Gadag region in the Dharwar craton with a view to obtain a clearer perception of the structural configuration of the region.

From qualitative analysis of the gravity data, several tectonic features are inferred: the high density Gadag schist belt is characterized by a gravity high and occurs in two discontinuous segments — the main N-S trending segment, and its thinner NW-SE trending extension, the two separated by a NE-SW trending deep seated fault. While the N-S trend of the Gadag schist belt is bounded on its east by the NW-SE trending Chitradurga thrust fault and on its west by another major NNWSSE trending fault, the NW-SE extension is likewise bounded by two other NW-SE major faults.

Quantitative evaluation from forward modeling/inversion of five profiles in the region, assuming a density contrast of 0.29gm/cc of the anomalous schistose body with the gneissic host rocks indicated a synclinal structure plunging to the southeast along its axis for the Gadag schist belt. The maximum width and depth from surface of the schist belt are 22 km and 5.6 km respectively.

G Ramadass¹ D Himabindu¹ N Srinivasulu¹

1. Center of Exploration Geophysics, Osmania University, Hyderabad - 500 007, India

Published

December 2003

Manuscript received

16 September 2002

Manuscript revised

11 May 2003