K. N. Prakash Narasimha

Geochemistry of Lower Jurassic sandstones of Shemshak Formation, Kerman basin, Central Iran: Provenance, source weathering and tectonic setting

Lower Jurassic sandstones of Shemshak Formation of Kerman basin, central Iran were analyzed for major and select trace elements to infer their provenance, palaeoweathering of source rocks and tectonic setting. Average modal framework components (Qt: F: L= 67.25: 2.41: 30.48) and chemical composition of the sandstones classify them as litharenites. The sandstones are quartz-rich (∼ 67% quartz; 75.34 wt.% SiO2) and derived from a recycled orogen composed of quartzose sedimentary rocks. Average CIA, PIA and CIW values (69%, 76% and 80%, respectively) indicate moderate to intense chemical weathering of the source material. The inferred index of weathering/alteration is the sum total of intensities of weathering witnessed by the lithocomponents during atleast two cycles of sedimentation involving (1) chemical weathering of the source rocks («ultimate» granodiorite source and «proximal» quartzose sedimentary source), (2) chemical weathering during fluvial transport of the detritus, (3) chemical weathering of the detritus in depocenters, and (4) chemical weathering during diagenesis. Sandstones exhibit moderate maturity and were deposited under humid climatic conditions. Plots of the chemical analyses data on tectonic setting discrimination diagrams indicate active continental margin setting, which is in agreement with the tectonic evolutionary history of the Central Iran during Jurassic period.

Granulites of Bhopalpatnam and Kondagaon belts, Bastar craton, M. P.: petrological and fluid inclusion studies

Abstract The Bhopalpatnam and Kondagaon granulite belts (BGB, KGB) occur surrounding the Bastar craton of central India. This paper deals with the geology, mineralogy and the fluid characteristics of these two belts. The geology of the two belts indicate that they abound in metasedimentary swathes. The metamorphic P-T conditions of the BGB range from 6 to 9 kbar at temperatures of 750°C, whilst those of the KGB vary from 4 to 6 kbar at temperatures of 700°C. The BGB shows an IBC path, while the KGB exhibits a dominant ITD path. These trends, based on mineral chemistry, are corroborated by fluid-inclusion studies. The lithologies of the BGB exhibit high-density CO 2 inclusions that represent the remnants of peak metamorphism. In contrast, the CO 2 inclusions of the KGB are of low density, indicative of post-peak conditions. The studies suggest that the CO 2 -rich fluids may not have come from the supracrustal sediments. An external source, possibly underplated basalt, could have supplied the heat and the supercritical fluids. Based on lithological similarities, it can be stated that the BGB is an extension of the late Archaean Karimnagar granulite belt. The important problem which is still to be solved is the junction of the late Archaean BGB with the Eastern Ghats granulite belt.

Kaveri crater – An impact structure in the Precambrian terrain of southern India

The region to the east of Palghat gap is of low elevation and nearly circular in shape. It forms a part of the Kaveri river basin. The predominantly gneissic terrain is surrounded by the charnockitic hill ranges, prominent among which are Nilgiris and Biligirirangan to the north; and Anaimalai and Kodaikanal to the south. The charnockite massifs have a steep slope facing the circular feature and a gentler slope in the opposite direction. Fractures/faults/shear zones are noticed in many parts. The Bouguer anomaly in the gneissic terrain is elliptical in shape and positive, relative to the surrounding elevated region. The magnetic contours are also elliptical and the magnetic basement is deeper by about one km compared to regions in the periphery. The shallow seismic velocity picture from Chennimalai to Palani indicates a graben structure. The velocity structure also depicts a 4–5 km Moho upwarp near Chennimalai. Junction between the gneissic and charnockitic terrain and even beyond, is marked by the presence of pseudotachylites and breccia. Field and petrographic studies indicate presence of suevite, Planar Deformation Features (PDF), Planar Fractures, diaplectic glass of quartz and plagioclase and spherical inclusion in suevite. These evidences taken together point to an extra-terrestrial impact which created a crater of approximately 120 km in diameter. Several lines of indirect evidences point to Neoproterozoic age for the impact. Kaveri Crater is the fourth largest crater on the surface of the Earth; other larger craters being Vredefort (160 km), Chicxulub (150 km) and Sudbury (130 km).