• J V RAMA RAO

Articles written in Journal of Earth System Science

• Gravity–magnetic appraisal at the interface of Cuddapah Basin and Nellore Schist Belt (NSB) for shallow crustal architecture and tectonic settings

Cuddapah Basin (CB) is an intracontinental, Proterozoic basin Canked by Eastern Dharwar Craton(EDC) in the west, Nellore Schist Belt (NSB) and Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt (EGMB) in the east,represents second largest Proterozoic basin of India. Gravity and magnetic surveys were carried out at the interface of Cuddapah Basin (CB) and Nellore Schist Belt (NSB) covering $\sim 2880 \rm{km}^{2}$ area. Gravity map has brought out some distinct zones. The thrusted contact of NSB and Cuddapah sediments has been well delineated from the gravity map by NE–SW trending steep gradient of contours. Relatively high gravity values are observed over NSB in the southeastern part, moderately high values are observed over Cumbum Formation, but distinct low is observed over Baironkonda Formation. These gravity highs and lows are mainly the manifestation of basement characteristics and intrusives. The magnetic map shows two distinct domains, viz., moderate to low zone in the southern part, and moderate to high zone in the northern part. Regional gravity map suggests a change in basement characteristics from felsic to mafic from NW to SE. Presence of mafic basement may be representing EGMB group of rocks underneath the Cuddapah sediments at the eastern part of the study area. The joint gravity and magnetic modelling reveal varied nature of sedimentary units in terms of density and susceptibility and change in basement characteristic.

• Tectonic divisions and accretionary model within Dharwar Craton: New insights from gravity surveys on status of Chitradurga Schist Belt

The eastern margin of the Chitradurga Schist Belt is widely believed as the dividing line of Dharwar Craton (DC) into Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC). This study aims at re-defining the division of DC based on pronounced gravity high encompassing Chitradurga Schist Belt of WDC and Closepet granite to Ramgiri–Penackacherla Schist Belt of EDC. The newly acquired high-resolution gravity data by the Geological Survey of India covering the Chitradurga Schist Belt and adjoining areas coupled with the available regional gravity data gives ample opportunity to understand divisions and opens up the possibility of grouping Chitradurga Schist Belt with the transitory block between WDC and EDC. This new data clearly suggests that there is a crustal sub-block between WDC and EDC and the boundaries are characterized with significant gravity signatures. Further, this data indicates that the first division should be at the end of Shimoga–Bababudan Schist Belts up to the arms of Chitradurga Schist Belt, with a significant and corroborative observation of deep crustal rocks in the form of the Sargur group of rocks. From this division to a narrow corridor of gravity lows bounded with high gravity gradients, representing a possible suture zone near Ramagiri–Penackacherla Schist Belt, is the suggested geographic disposition of Central Dharwar Craton (CDC). Similarly, a corridor of gravity lows bounded with gravity high gradients is identified as a possible subducting zone separating CDC and EDC between Ramagiri–Penackacherla Schist Belt and Kolar Schist belt. The above postulation has evidence from the five long profiles of 330 km (75$^{\circ}$–78$^{\circ}$E), separated with 30$^{\prime}$ interval, from the gridded new data. It is clearly seen that the major changes in the crustal architecture are around the intervening portions of Shimoga–Chitradurga Schist belts and end of RPSB, characterized with sharp paired anomalies. In comparison, only small changes were highlighting the eastern margin of the Chitradurga Schist Belt. Processed maps suggested the possibility of hitherto unknown ancient suture zone east of Ramagiri–Penackacherla Schist Belt in the form of a narrow zone of gravity lows, not related to surface geology. Accordingly, gravity models are proposed after fixing the regional field from the 5th order polynomial. A comparative study is made with the published seismic studies. Accretionary models of DC along 14$^{\circ}$N and 14$^{\circ}$30$^{\prime}$N are proposed from the gravity signatures.

• What lies beneath the Deccan volcanic province? Perspective on tectonic elements and sub-trappean geology from gravity signatures

The Deccan volcanic province (DVP) is one of the largest igneous provinces of the world and occupies almost 15% of the landmass of India. It is fascinating not only because of its size, but also due to its varied nature of basement and potentiality for mineral resources. The analysis of regional and residual gravity anomalies indicated sub-surface geology on which traps are resting, and also importantly, they depicted the extent, depth and form of magma chambers, which have implications on the tectonic framework of India. Some of the salient features that emerged out of the analysis of regional Bouguer gravity data of southern and central India indicated the presence of granite–greenstone rocks, akin to the geology of eastern Dharwar craton, beneath most of the main Deccan plateau and extensions of the Bhima–Kaladgi Proterozoic sedimentary basins in the southern part of the DVP around Belgaum. In the eastern DVP, gravity signatures indicated the imprints of the Godavari rift zone and the possible presence of younger sedimentary basins. A westward extension of the central Indian tectonic zone and the possibility of a Betul-like supracrustal belt under the DVP is postulated in this study. In the Malwa plateau, discrete gravity lows aligned in the Narmada–Tapti rift zone depict the disposition of Mesozoic sediments. Major lows aligned in the E–W direction are inferred as granitic horizons as the basement for the DVP. Linear gravity highs of this region are attributed to concealed mafic bands/supracrustal belts. The Saurashtra part of the DVP is characterised by relatively higher frequency anomalies indicating the shallow nature of the causative sources. Gravity lows south of the Kachchh rift zone under the DVP could be a continuity of the rift zone-associated features of central India. Three gravity models under the DVP across broad highs are presented, suggesting the possibility of high-density and solidified magmatic rock formations at the mid-crustal levels of the main DVP and shallow mafic crustal rocks of the Malwa plateau.

• # Journal of Earth System Science

Volume 132, 2023
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Continuous Article Publishing mode

• # Editorial Note on Continuous Article Publication

Posted on July 25, 2019