Geochemistry, geothermics and relationship to active tectonics of Gujarat and Rajasthan thermal discharges, India

Most thermal spring discharges of Rajasthan and Gujarat in northwestern India have been sampled and analysed for major and trace elements in both the liquid and associated gas phase, and for ¹⁸O/¹⁶O, D/H (in water), ³He/⁴He and ¹³C/¹²C in CO₂ (in gas) isotopic ratios. Most thermal springs in Rajasthan are tightly associated to the several regional NE–SW strike-slip faults bordering NE–SW ridges formed by Archaean rocks at the contact with Quaternary alluvial and aeolian sedimentary deposits of the Rajasthan desert. Their Ca–HCO₃ immature character and isotopic composition reveals: (1) meteoric origin, (2) relatively shallow circulation inside the crystalline Archaean formations, (3) very fast rise along faults, and (4) deep storage temperatures of the same order of magnitude as discharging temperatures (50–90°C). Thermal spring discharges in Gujarat are spread over a larger area than in Rajasthan and are associated both with the NNW–SSE fault systems bordering the Cambay basin and the ENE–WSW strike-slip fault systems in the Saurashtra province, west of the Cambay basin. Chemical and isotopic compositions of springs in both areas suggest a meteoric origin of deep thermal waters. They mix with fresh or fossil seawater entering the thermal paths of the spring systems through both the fault systems bordering the Cambay basin, as well as faults and fractures occurring inside the permeable Deccan Basalt Trap in the Saurashtra province. The associated gas phase, at all sampled sites, shows similar features: (1) it is dominated by the presence of atmospheric components (N₂ and Ar), (2) it has high crustal ⁴He enrichment, (3) it shows crustal ³He/⁴He signature, (4) it has low CO₂ concentration, and (5) the only analysed sample for ¹³C/¹²C isotopic ratio in CO₂ suggests that CO₂ has a strong, isotopically light organic imprint. All these features and chemical geothermometer estimates of spring waters suggest that any active deep hydrothermal system at the base of the Cambay basin (about 2000–3000 m) has low-to-medium enthalpy characteristics, with maximum deep temperature in the storage zone of about 150°C. In a regional overview, both thermal emergences of Rajasthan and Gujarat could be controlled by the counter-clockwise rotation of India.     

Crustal thickness along the western Galápagos Spreading Center and the compensation of the Galápagos hotspot swell

Wide-angle refraction and multichannel reflection seismic data show that oceanic crust along the Galápagos Spreading Center (GSC) between 97°W and 91°25′W thickens by 2.3 km as the Galápagos plume is approached from the west. This crustal thickening can account for ∼52% of the 700 m amplitude of the Galápagos swell. After correcting for changes in crustal thickness, the residual mantle Bouguer gravity anomaly associated with the Galápagos swell shows a minimum of −25 mGal near 92°15′W, the area where the GSC is intersected by the Wolf-Darwin volcanic lineament (WDL). The remaining depth and gravity anomalies indicate an eastward reduction of mantle density, estimated to be most prominent above a compensation depth of 50-100 km. Melting calculations assuming adiabatic, passive mantle upwelling predict the observed crustal thickening to arise from a small increase in mantle potential temperature of ∼30°C. The associated thermal expansion and increase in melt depletion reduce mantle densities, but to a degree that is insufficient to explain the geophysical observations. The largest density anomalies appear at the intersection of the GSC and the WDL. Our results therefore require the existence of compositionally buoyant mantle beneath the GSC near the Galápagos plume. Possible origins of this excess buoyancy include melt retained in the mantle as well as mantle depleted by melting in the upwelling plume beneath the Galápagos Islands that is later transported to the GSC. Our estimate for the buoyancy flux of the Galápagos plume (700 kg s⁻¹) is lower than previous estimates, while the total crustal production rate of the Galápagos plume (5.5 m³s⁻¹) is comparable to that of the Icelandic and Hawaiian plumes.     

Gravity and magnetic investigation on the distribution of volcanic rocks in the Qinggelidi area,north‐eastern Junggar Basin (north‐west China)

A detailed investigation on the location of magmatic intrusions in the Carboniferous strata of the Qinggelidi area, north‐eastern Junggar Basin, is presented based on the interpretation of gravity and magnetic data constrained by petrophysical data, seismics and surface geology. The wavelet multi‐resolution analysis based on the discrete wavelet transform is adopted to the regional‐residual separation of gravity and magnetic anomalies. A power spectrum analysis is applied to estimate the source depths corresponding to different scales. A comparative analysis on the characteristics of local gravity and magnetic anomalies improved our understanding of volcanic rock distribution in the Carboniferous strata. Generally speaking, in total 75 anomalies are recognized, among which 23 are inferred to be the responses of basalts, diabases and andesites with high density and strong magnetization. Twelve anomalies are assumed to be caused by andesites, rhyolites and volcanic breccias with medium‐low density and high magnetization. There are still five anomalies that are believed to be generated by volcanic tuffs with low density and weak magnetization. Lastly, four cross‐sections in 3D gravity and magnetic modelling are displayed to provide a more thorough image of volcanic rocks in our study area.     

Gravity and aeromagnetic constraints on the structure of the Woods Mountains volcanic center, southeastern California

 The Woods Mountain volcanic center is a well-exposed, mildly alkaline volcanic center that formed during the Miocene in southeastern California. Detailed geologic mapping and geochemical studies have distinguished three major volcanic phases: precaldera, caldera forming, and postcaldera. Geologic mapping indicates that caldera formation occurred incrementally during eruptions of three large ignimbrites and continued into a period of voluminous intracaldera lava-flow eruptions. Rhyolitic ignimbrites and lava flows within the caldera are associated with large amplitude, circular gravity, and magnetic minima that are among the most prominent gravity and magnetic anomalies in southeastern California. Analysis of a Bouguer gravity anomaly map, reduced-to-the-pole magnetic intensity map, and three-dimensional gravity and magnetic models indicates that there is a single, funnel- to bowl-shaped caldera approximately 4 km thick and approximately 10 km wide at the surface. This model is consistent with other siliceous, pyroclastic-filled calderas on continental crust, except that most siliceous volcanic centers associated with more than one eruption are characterized by more than one caldera. Received: 20 December 1997 / Accepted: 15 October 1998     

New paleomagnetic constraints on the late Cretaceous and early Cenozoic tectonic history of the Eastern Pontides

The Pontides are characterized by a series of Mesozoic-Cenozoic fold belts comprising a N-vergent foreland fold and thrust belt in the Western Pontides and a concave, upward-shaped fold belt in the Eastern Pontides. The curvature of the fold belt follows the Caucasus which may imply a phase of oroclinal bending. In order to test whether the fold curvature represents a phase of oroclinal bending, a paleomagnetic study has been carried out in the Eastern Pontides on late Cretaceous and middle Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks from 29 sites. Rock magnetic studies reveal medium-temperature components with an unblocking temperature of 400–580 °C, indicating pseudo-single domain titanomagnetite as the most abundant carrier of magnetic remanence in the middle Eocene rocks studied here. In the upper Cretaceous rocks, a high-temperature component with an unblocking range of 580–650 °C was isolated. Stepwise thermal and alternating field demagnetization isolated two components of remanent magnetization in middle Eocene rocks comprising a low unblocking temperature/coercivity component near the present field direction and a characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) component of D_s = 332.3°, I_s = 49.9° (k = 33.3, α₉₅ = 9.2°, N = 15 sites). A positive fold test at a 95% confidence level and a reversal test indicate a primary magnetization. Component analysis of the upper Cretaceous rocks identifies a stable ChRM D_s = 160.3°, I_s = −45.0°, (k =  85.6, α₉₅ = 6.0°, N =  8 sites) following removal of secondary remanence. Their ChRM direction passes fold and reversal tests at a 95% confidence level. Both the upper Cretaceous and middle Eocene paleomagnetic data from the Eastern Pontides and the Lesser Caucasus clearly demonstrate evidence of oroclinal bending that occurred contemporaneouslywith the convergence between Arabia and Eurasia in the Paleocene.     

Magnetic study of the dolerite dyke near Amarpur,Dhanbad (Bihar)

Summary The dolerite dyke of post-lower Gondwana age reported earlier by the authors [5]²) has been taken for detailed magnetic study. Seven magnetic traverses have been taken across the dyke using Schmidt vertical force variometer. Negative anomalies varying from 1400 to 2200 gammas have been observed. Magnetic susceptibility of samples from the dyke has been determined on both cores and crushed material, using the Model MS-3 susceptibility bridge. The average susceptibility of 20 samples has been found to be 1930x10^–6 C.G.S. units. Direction and intensity of remanence on 10 oriented samples have been determined by an Astatic magnetometer. The average intensity of remanence has been found to be 3.13x10^–3 C.G.S. units and the average direction has a declination of 323° and inclination-68° (up dip). The Koenigsberger ratio varies from 1.6 to 5.6. The high negative magnetic anomalies have been explained in terms of remance-that more than 80% of the anomaly is due to remance and that negative anomalies are due to negative inclination of remanent direction of the rocks. The magnetic direction for the dyke gave the position for Dhanbad as 51° south latitude in Jurassic period. This is in conformity with the deductions made by other workers from the palaeomagnetic studies of the Deccan and Rajmahal traps. The virtual geomagnetic pole in Jurassic period as deduced from the palaeomagnetism of the dyke has a position of latitude 8 1/2°N and longitude 71°W, in the southern Carribean. On palaeomagnetic evidence this dyke has been correlated with Rajmahal traps of eastern Bihar.     

A 3D magnetic structure of Izu-Oshima Volcano and their changes after the eruption in 1986 as estimated from repeated airborne magnetic surveys

A 3D magnetic inversion method using a conjugate gradient method (CG method) was developed for constructing 3D magnetization models of a volcanic edifice and applied to aeromagnetic anomalies of Izu-Oshima Volcano surveyed in 1986 and in 1997. The calculated results of the 1986 data show that the volcanic edifice of Izu-Oshima Volcano has a mean magnetization intensity ranging from 10.4 to 12.1 A/m. The derived 3D magnetic structure shows low magnetization zones beneath the west-northwest of the western caldera rim, beneath the west-southwest of Mt. Mihara and beneath Mt. Shiroishi. These features may be related with demagnetizations, reflecting a high thermal state due to magma activities in the 1986 eruption. The comparison between 3D magnetization models in 1986 and in 1997, indicates meaningful changes beneath the C-craters erupted in 1986, suggesting a recovery process of demagnetizations and a considerable decrease of magnetization intensities in the foot of Mt. Futago, indicative of demagnetizations. A derived magnetization model including Izu-Oshima Volcano and its surrounding sea areas clarifies the submerged volcanic edifices around Izu-Oshima Island, and suggests that the old volcanic edifices of Fudeshima, Gyojyanoiwaya, and Okata Volcanoes have been affected by eastward migrations due to massive intrusions of a dike-like structure inferred at the base of Izu-Oshima Volcano.     

Magnetic anomalies — India and Antarctica

Magnetic anomalies over the continental shelf off the east coast of India (Orissa) suggest the presence of a highly magnetic rock type magnetized with an intensity of 900 nT in a direction, azimuth(A) = 150° and inclination(I) = +65°. This suggest the occurrence of igneous volcanic rocks which is confirmed from samples found below Tertiary sediments from a few boreholes in this region. The depth of this rock type as estimated from magnetic anomalies varies from approximately 1–2 km near the coast to 4–4.5 km towards the shelf margin. This direction of magnetization is the reverse of the reported direction of magnetization for the Rajmahal Traps of the Cretaceous period (100–110 m.y). A small strip of the body near the continental shelf margin appears, however, to possess normal magnetization suggesting the occurrence of normal and reversed polarities side by side, a characteristic typical for oceanic magnetic anomalies. The reversed polarity of the rocks on the continental shelf suggests that they correspond probably to the MO reversal (115 m.y.) on world magnetostratigraphic scale and provide a paleolatitude of 47°S for the land mass of India which agrees with the palaeoreconstruction of India and Antarctica. In this reconstruction, the Mahanadi Gondwana graben on the Indian subcontinent falls into line with the Lambert Rift in Antarctica, suggesting a probable common ancestry. The volcanic rocks on the continental shelf off the east coast of India might represent a missing link, that is, rocks formed between India and Antarctica at the time of the break-up of Gondwanaland. Satellite magnetic anomalies (MAGSAT) recorded over the Indian shield and interpreted in terms of variations in the Curie point geotherm provide a direction of magnetization which also places this continent close to Antarctica. As such MAGSAT anomalies recorded over eastern Antarctica are found compatible with those recorded over the Indian shield.     

3D upper crustal density structure of the Deccan Syneclise,Central India

A constrained 3D density model of the upper crust along a part of the Deccan Syneclise is carried out based on the complete Bouguer anomaly data. Spectral analysis of the complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map of the study region suggests two major sources: short wavelength anomalies (<100 km) caused primarily due to the density inhomogeneities at shallow crustal level and long wavelength anomalies (>100 km) produced due to the sources deeper than the upper crust. A residual map of the short wavelength anomalies is prepared from the complete Bouguer anomaly using Butterworth high‐pass filter (100 km cut‐off wavelength). Utilizing the constraints from deep resistivity sounding, magnetotellurics and deep seismic sounding studies, 2.5D density models have been generated along 39 profiles of this region. The mismatch between the calculated response of the a priori 2.5D model with the residual (short wavelength) gravity anomalies is minimized by introducing high‐density intrusive bodies (≥2.81 g/cm³) in the basement. With these 2.5D density models, the initial geometry of our 3D density model, which includes alluvium, Deccan trap, Mesozoic sediment and high‐density intrusive bodies in the basement up to a depth of 7 km (upper crust), is generated. In the final 3D model, Deccan trap extends from 200 m to nearly 1700 m below the 90–150 m thick Quaternary sediment. Further down, the sub‐trappean Mesozoic sediment is present at a depth range of 600–3000 m followed by the basement. The derived 3D density model also indicates six intrusive bodies of density 2.83 g/cm³ in the basement at an average depth of about 4–7 km that best fits the residual gravity anomaly of the study area.     

Distortion of the geomagnetic field in volcanic terrains: an experimental study of the Mount Etna stratovolcano

The inclination (I), declination (D) and total intensity (F) of the geomagnetic field were measured on Mount Etna in 1989-1991 at a dozen sites previously sampled for archeomagnetic studies. The purpose of the work was to determine the variations of these parameters at 30 cm above ground level, and how the distortion from the main field can affect the archeomagnetic record of volcanic rocks. Ten measurements were usually performed at each site with a three-component flux-gate magnetometer, whose estimated precision is ±0.2° on direction and ±50 nT on intensity. This was considered sufficient on volcanic areas with highly magnetized rocks and where the geomagnetic gradient may be in excess of 1000 nT/m. Results averaged for each site generally show small variations in intensity (±3% of the total field) and direction (±1.5°). The averaged values of the 12 sites (I=52.6°, D=0.3°, F=44010 nT) are very close to those measured in sedimentary terrain away from the volcano (I=52.9°, D=0.35°, F=44110 nT), themselves consistent with the interpolated IGRF in eastern Sicily. The largest deviations of the geomagnetic direction have been observed on four sites, three of them located on the South flank between 1900 and 700 m elevation. It is suggested that these anomalies are mainly related to dyke swarms which are common within the South Rift Zone of Mount Etna. Our findings show that reliable archeomagnetic results can be obtained from volcanic rocks, provided that lavas of the same eruption are sampled on several sites distributed over the largest possible area.     

Study of the Deccan Traps of Cambay Basin by geophysical methods

In the attempt to study the buried Deccan Trap layers in the Cambay Basin, the ground magnetic surveys have not been very useful as the data combine the effect due to the crystalline basement and the Trap thickness. In some parts of the basin, some reflections in the seismograms obtained in the course of seismic surveys, could be correlated to the Trap surface. These can be tied with wells drilled in the basin upto the Traps. The synthesis of the gravity and seismic data has enabled us to prepare a map of the Trap surface in the Cambay basin. The depth of the Trap surlace increases from about 2000 m in the northern part of the basin to about 600 m in its deepest part near Broach. The Trap surface rises gradually south of Narbada in an average direction of SE with depths running from 2500 m to 500 m. The interpretation of the gravity anomalies, assuming their cause to be the variations in the thickness of the Trap, has enabled the determination of the average thickness of the Traps in the basin. The maximum thickness of the Trap is in the central part of the basin and is estimated to be about 2.4 km. The Traps appear to gradually taper towards the flanks of the basin.     

Surface exposure dating of Holocene basalt flows and cinder cones in the Kula volcanic field (Western Turkey) using cosmogenic 3He and 10Be

The Kula volcanic field in Western Turkey comprises about 80 cinder cones and associated basaltic lava flows of Quaternary age. Based on geomorphological criteria and K-Ar dating, three eruption phases, β2–β4, were distinguished in previous studies. Human footprints in ash deposits document that the early inhabitants of Anatolia were affected by the volcanic eruptions, but the age of the footprints has been poorly constrained. Here we use ³He and ¹⁰Be exposure dating of olivine phenocrysts and quartz-bearing xenoliths to determine the age of the youngest lava flows and cinder cones. In the western part of the volcanic field, two basalt samples from a 15-km-long block lava flow yielded ³He ages of 1.5 ± 0.3 ka and 2.5 ± 0.4 ka, respectively, with the latter being in good agreement with a ¹⁰Be age of 2.4 ± 0.3 ka for an augen gneiss xenolith from the same flow. A few kilometers farther north, a metasedimentary xenolith from the top of the cinder cone Çakallar Tepe gave a ¹⁰Be age of 11.2 ± 1.1 ka, which dates the last eruption of this cone and also the human footprints in the related ash deposits. In the center of the volcanic field, a basalt sample and a metasedimentary xenolith from another cinder cone gave consistent ³He and ¹⁰Be ages of 2.6 ± 0.4 ka and 2.6 ± 0.3 ka, respectively. Two β4 lava flows in the central and eastern part of the volcanic province yielded ³He ages of 3.3 ± 0.4 ka and 0.9 ± 0.2 ka, respectively. Finally, a relatively well-preserved β3 flow gave a ³He age of ∼13 ka. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the penultimate eruption phase β3 in the Kula volcanic field continued until ∼11 ka, whereas the youngest phase β4 started less than four thousand years ago and may continue in the future.     

A geophysical approach to the granite batholith under the eastern Southern Uplands,Scotland

From our interpretation of the Bouguer gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies in south-east Scotland, we conclude that a massive granite batholith underlies the greater part of the eastern Southern Uplands. The granite model which we computed earlier from gravity anomalies in the Tweeddale area fits the observed magnetic anomalies closely, if a normal magnetization of 0.095 A m^–1 is assigned, similar to values found for exposed local granites. Further gravity modelling shows that, apart from the Tweeddale boss, the granite shallows to less than 1 km near Lammer Law in East Lothian and extends north of the Lammermuir Fault. A model for the East Lothian volcanics was computed from their aeromagnetic anomalies, then their gravitational effect was combined with that estimated for the Devonian and Carboniferous sediments and the result stripped off the observed gravity field. The residual gravity anomalies were used to generate a two-dimensional model for the granite north of the Lammermuir Fault. The expected tectonic consequences of a massive granite batholith in the eastern Southern Uplands are compared with the known development of faults and sedimentary basins around its margins.     

Morphology of rubbly pahoehoe (simple) flows from the Deccan Volcanic Province: Implications for style of emplacement

Lava flows with preserved bases and brecciated upper crusts constitute a morphological type that differs in character from typical pahoehoe and a'a: such flows have been reported from many provinces around the world. Previous studies had referred to these flows informally as ‘pahoehoe flows with rubbly tops’, ‘broken-top pahoehoe’ and ‘rubbly pahoehoe’. Recent studies have formally applied the latter term to describe parts of the well-studied Laki flow in Iceland as well as flows from the Columbia River Basalt province. Rubbly pahoehoe flows are abundant in the upper stratigraphic formations of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), and are more commonly known as simple flows. This study presents detailed observations of such flows from various parts of the DVP and discusses their implications for understanding flow emplacement. These flows, which appear to be single units at the outcrop-scale, are generally much thicker and significantly more extensive than individual pahoehoe lobes that dominate the lower formations of the Deccan stratigraphy. They are characterised by preserved, gently undulating tachylitic bases but variably disrupted crustal zones that grade into flow-top breccias. The breccias are constituted of highly vesicular and oxidised fragments of varying sizes that appear to have been derived from previously formed pahoehoe crusts. Previous work has indicated that the morphology of these flows might be related to initial inflation, accompanied by rapid volatile exsolution and an increase in effusion rate and/or viscosity with time. This agrees reasonably well with the qualitative and quantitative models of emplacement developed for the Laki flow. The abundance of such flows in the upper formations of the Deccan stratigraphy clearly hints at a significant shift in the nature of the Deccan eruptions; this could be indicative of higher eruption rates during this period. This, in turn, raises the possibility of hazardous impact on the climate during the eruption of these flows, which is also discussed in the paper.     

Subaqueous volcanism in the Paleo-Pacific Ocean based on Jurassic basaltic tuff and pillow basalt in the Raohe Complex,NE China

On-land records of subaqueous explosive volcanic eruptions are rarely reported.To understand this phenomenon and discuss its global significance,we studied the geochronology and geochemistry of basaltic tuff and pillow basalt in the Raohe Complex,NE China.The basaltic tuff consists of well-sorted vitreous,crystal(mostly clinopyroxene),and minor lithic fragments.It is characterized by a high Mg O(15.7–15.9%)content and zero Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu~*=99–102).The tuff erupted at 172±1 Ma based on SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating,coeval with the previously reported age of the pillow basalt.The pillow basalt has intermediate Mg O content and weakly negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu~*=90–99).Based on immobile trace element discrimination,the basaltic tuff and pillow basalt belong to alkali basalt displaying an OIB-type trace element pattern,and consistent Nd isotope signatures ofε_(Nd)(t)=4.4–6.2,indicating an identical mantle source.The pillow basalt has coupled Sr-Nd isotopic values,whereas the basaltic tuff has significantly higher initial~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values that are similar to synchronous seawater.This indicates that the elemental exchange between the mantle-derived material and seawater most likely occurred in a subaqueous explosive volcanic eruption,rather than in an effusive eruption.Detailed calculations suggest that the high efficiency of the Sr-isotope exchange between seawater and the mantle-derived material triggered by a subaqueous explosive volcanic eruption is likely one of the main reasons for the rapid decrease of the global seawater~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr value.     

Magma convection and mixing dynamics as a source of Ultra-Long-Period oscillations

Many volcanic eruptions are shortly preceded by injection of new magma into a pre-existing, shallow (<10 km) magma chamber, causing convection and mixing between the incoming and resident magmas. These processes may trigger dyke propagation and further magma rise, inducing long-term (days to months) volcano deformation, seismic swarms, gravity anomalies, and changes in the composition of volcanic plumes and fumaroles, eventually culminating in an eruption. Although new magma injection into shallow magma chambers can lead to hazardous event, such injection is still not systematically detected and recognized. Here, we present the results of numerical simulations of magma convection and mixing in geometrically complex magmatic systems, and describe the multiparametric dynamics associated with buoyant magma injection. Our results reveal unexpected pressure trends and pressure oscillations in the Ultra-Long-Period (ULP) range of minutes, related to the generation of discrete plumes of rising magma. Very long pressure oscillation wavelengths translate into comparably ULP ground displacements with amplitudes of order 10⁻⁴–10⁻² m. Thus, new magma injection into magma chambers beneath volcanoes can be revealed by ULP ground displacement measured at the surface.     

Phase petrology with special reference to pyroxenes of the acid igneous complex of Barda hills,Western Saurashtra (Gujarat)

The Barda igncous complex of western Saurashtra (Gujarat) consists of a group of volcanic and subvolcanic igneous rocks, viz., pitchstone, rhyolite, felsite, granophyre and dioritic rocks. They are generally grouped under the Deccan Trap series and have been emplaced through the Deccan Trap basalt flows. Using different varieties of clinopyroxenes as characteristic phases several units of felsites and granophyres have been distinguished in the southeastern part of the Barda hills. The augites of the adjacent Deccan Trap basalt flows range between Ca₃₃Mg₆₁Fe₆ and Ca₄₁Mg₄₄Fe₁₅. (All compositions of minerals are derived from optical data). The clinopyroxene of a monzodiorite is Ca₄₁Mg_42.5Fe_16.5. In the felsites and granophyres the clinopyroxenes range from salite (Ca₄₆Mg₃₁Fe₂₃) through ferrosalite (Ca₄₆Mg₂₀Fe₃₄) and ferroaugite (Ca₄₃Mg₁₇Fe₄₆) to hedenbergite (Ca₄₆Mg₉Fe₄₅). Beyond that a peralkaline trend is indicated by common occurrence of aegirine-augite granophyre in which the clinopyroxene is alkalic with 20 percent of NaFe³ Si₂O₆ (acmite) molecule. Several bodies of acmite-riebeckitebearing granophyres have been found; they also indicate a high degree of oxidation. A fayalitic olivine-bearing granophyre is of interest as it shows the strongest iron enrichment with 13 weight percent FeO + Fe₂O₃; its mineralogy indicates a very low oxygen fugacity of 10¹³ atmospheres during crystallization.     

Mafic alkalic magmatism in central Kachchh,India: a monogenetic volcanic field in the northwestern Deccan Traps

Magmatism in Kachchh, in the northwestern Deccan continental flood basalt province, is represented not only by typical tholeiitic flows and dikes, but also plug-like bodies, in Mesozoic sandstone, of alkali basalt, basanite, melanephelinite and nephelinite, containing mantle nodules. They form the base of the local Deccan stratigraphy and their volcanological context was poorly understood. Based on new and published field, petrographic and geochemical data, we identify this suite as an eroded monogenetic volcanic field. The plugs are shallow-level intrusions (necks, sills, dikes, sheets, laccoliths); one of them is known to have fed a lava flow. We have found local peperites reflecting mingling between magmas and soft sediment, and the remains of a pyroclastic vent composed of non-bedded lapilli tuff breccia, injected by mafic alkalic dikes. The lapilli tuff matrix contains basaltic fragments, glass shards, and detrital quartz and microcline, with secondary zeolites, and there are abundant lithic blocks of mafic alkalic rocks. We interpret this deposit as a maar-diatreme, formed due to phreatomagmatic explosions and associated wall rock fragmentation and collapse. This is one of few known hydrovolcanic vents in the Deccan Traps. The central Kachchh monogenetic volcanic field has >30 individual structures exposed over an area of ∼1,800 km² and possibly many more if compositionally identical igneous intrusions in northern Kachchh are proven by future dating work to be contemporaneous. The central Kachchh monogenetic volcanic field implies low-degree mantle melting and limited, periodic magma supply. Regional directed extension was absent or at best insignificant during its formation, in contrast to the contemporaneous significant directed extension and vigorous mantle melting under the main area of the Deccan flood basalts. The central Kachchh field demonstrates regional-scale volcanological, compositional, and tectonic variability within flood basalt provinces, and adds the Deccan Traps to the list of such provinces containing monogenetic- and/or hydrovolcanism, namely the Karoo-Ferrar and Emeishan flood basalts, and plateau basalts in Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Patagonia.     

MAGSAT data and Curie-depth below Deccan flood basalts (India)

Ground and airborne magnetic data are severely disturbed due to random susceptibility variations in Deccan flood basalts. However, Magnetic Satellite (MAGSAT) data over the Deccan flood basaltic region of the Indian subcontinent exhibit filtering of surficial noise. Three passes over Deccan traps show a low at about 20°N latitude and a high at about 23°N latitude. Spectral analysis of these passes and an available 2-D MAGSAT vertical intensity map indicate a deep (40±4 km) magnetic interface. It is interesting to note that the determination of Curie-depth from MAGSAT matches and confirms the geothermal data model. The estimates correspond to the Moho depth derived from gravity and deep seismic sounding studies. The study suggests a continental shield-like geothermal gradient of about 14°C/km below the area.     

Continuous wavelet transform,theoretical aspects and application to aeromagnetic data at the Huanghua Depression,Dagang Oilfield,China

We use the continuous wavelet transform based on complex Morlet wavelets, which has been developed to estimate the source distribution of potential fields. For magnetic anomalies of adjacent sources, they always superimpose upon each other in space and wavenumber, making the identification of magnetic sources problematic. Therefore, a scale normalization factor, a^?n, is introduced on the wavelet coefficients to improve resolution in the scalogram. By theoretical modelling, we set up an approximate linear relationship between the pseudo‐wavenumber and source depth. The influences of background field, random noise and magnetization inclination on the continuous wavelet transform of magnetic anomalies are also discussed and compared with the short‐time Fourier transform results. Synthetic examples indicate that the regional trend has little effect on our method, while the influence of random noise is mainly imposed on shallower sources with higher wavenumbers. The source horizontal position will be affected by the change of magnetization direction, whereas the source depth remains unchanged. After discussing the performance of our method by showing the results of various synthetic tests, we use this method on the aeromagnetic data of the Huanghua depression in central China to define the distribution of volcanic rocks. The spectrum slices in different scales are used to determine horizontal positions of volcanic rocks and their source depths are estimated from the modulus maxima of complex coefficients, which is in good accordance with drilling results.