A ${\sim}$60 km long Veldurti–Kalva–Gani (VKG) fault is one of the identified strike-slip faults extending from Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) to Cuddapah basin in South Indian Shield. The recorded recent seismic activity during year 2012–2016 show occurrences of three microseismic events (<$M_{w}$ 2.0) in the vicinity of this fault. Historically, no major seismic events are recorded near this fault except magnitude of 5.0–5.9 (1843) earthquake at about ${\sim}$80 km west of this fault near Bellary. In the present study, analysis of available gravity, aeromagnetic and newly acquired ground gravity and magnetic data in the vicinity of the fault has been carried out to understand subsurface characteristics of this VKG fault and nearby structural features related to recent seismic activity. Analysis of aeromagnetic and gravity data shows shallow origin of the fault and earthquakes are associated with the zone of intersection like cross faults/lineaments which are parallel and perpendicular to the VKG fault. The calculated log normalized radially averaged power spectrum of the available gravity and aeromagnetic data shows four average depths $h_{0}$ (12.7 km), $h_{1}$ (6 km), $h_{2}$ (2.0 km) and $h_{3}$ (0.5 km). These estimated depths are possibly, bottom of the upper crust, thickness of the Cuddapah basin sediments, horizon of the basic sills, flows and the ferruginous quartzites and cumulative stratigraphic thickness of the Tadpatri shales and the Kurnools in the areas, respectively. The jointly inverted 2-D model from the ground gravity and aeromagnetic data along 2.7 km profile across VKG fault shows, faulting between Banganapalli Quartzite and Tadpatri Shales. The estimated average focal depth from the observed microseismic events is around 13 km. It is concluded from the present study that the observed microseismic events in the vicinity of VKG fault are associated with the intersection zones of cross faults/lineaments near the VKG fault and originated at an average depth of 13 km might be bottom of the upper crust. The estimated depths from the present analysis are well corroborated with previous geophysical studies.

$\bf{Highlights}$

$\bullet$ Mapping of Veldurti–Kalva–Gani fault through gravity, magnetic and aeromagnetic data which is associated with recent seismic activity.

$\bullet$ Understanding of origin of the seismic activity through spectral analysis.

$\bullet$ Estimation of depth to the basement, upper crust and thickness of Cuddapah basin sediments in the study region.

$\bullet$ Estimation of focal depth from seismological data and corroboration with spectral analysis of gravity and aeromagnetic data.

The exposed granite gneissic complex to the west of Cuddapah basin in Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) is studied to understand the magnetic character of various plutons in this region with more emphasis on a part of Closepet Granite (CG). The NW–SE trending plutons in this region show gradual decrease in magnetic intensities from southwest to northeast; CG in the southwest corner of the study area have high mafic content, and there onwards show a depletion in mantle enrichment towards NE. Parts of the CG namely, the main mass and northern intrusions separated by a gap zone are differentiated based on magnetic character deduced by processing the aeromagnetic data. Reduced to the pole (RTP) and its upward continued maps revealed NNW trending eastward convex anomaly highs inferring the magnetic nature of CG due to Porphyritic Monzogranite (PMG). Gap zone is identified to be structurally significant, bounded by deep ENE faults and inferred to be associated with PMG at relatively deeper levels. 2.5D modelling of magnetic anomaly profile substantiated our qualitative analysis of magnetic anomalies over CG, inferring magnetic and non-magnetic units of CG. Known shear zones running north–south are identified with a few inferred shears revealed from magnetic data interpretation within CG.

$\bf{Highlights}$

$\bullet$ Understanding the magnetic character of various plutons in the regions using aeromagnetic data with a detailed study over a part of Closepet Granite.

$\bullet$ The NW–SE trending plutons in this region show gradual decrease in magnetic intensities from southwest to northeast.

$\bullet$ Parts of the CG namely, the main mass and northern intrusions separated by a gap zone are differentiated based on magnetic character deduced by processing the aeromagnetic data, reduced to the pole (RTP) and its upward continued maps.

$\bullet$ Gap zone is identified to be structurally significant, bounded by deep ENE faults and inferred to be associated with PMG at relatively deeper levels.

$\bullet$ 2.5D modelling of magnetic anomaly profile substantiated our qualitative analysis of magnetic anomalies over CG, inferring magnetic and non-magnetic units of CG.