The Cauvery Shear Zone, Southern Granulite Terrain, India: A crustal-scale flower structure

The Cauvery Shear Zone (CSZ) is a crustal-scale shear system within the Southern Granulite Terrain along the southern margin of the Archaean Dharwar craton. Structural interpretation of satellite data and field observations reveal four major shear zones within the CSZ system. They show dextral shear kinematics synchronous with a major Neoproterozoic tectono-metamorphic event (D2) associated with intracrustal melting and migmatisation. The disposition, geometry and contemporaneity of shear fabrics of the CSZ system are modelled in terms of a crustal-scale flower structure akin to transpressional and collisional orogens. In the light of recent seismic evidence for a displaced Moho structure and a mid- to lower-crustal low velocity zone, the flower structure across the CSZ may extend to mantle depths.     

Structure and evolution of the Cauvery Shear Zone system, Southern Granulite Terrain, India: Evidence from deep seismic and other geophysical studies

The Southern Granulite Terrain with exposed Archean lower crustal rocks is studied using various geophysical tools. The crustal structure derived from seismic reflection and refraction/wide-angle reflection studies is used to understand the tectonic evolution of the region. Deep seismic reflection section along the Kolattur–Palani segment shows an oppositely dipping reflection fabric near the Moyar–Bhavani shear zone, which is interpreted as a signature of collision between the Dharwar craton and another crustal block in the south. The thickened crust due to collision was delaminated during the orogenic collapse and modified the central part, covering the Cauvery Shear Zone system, located between the Moyar–Bhavani and Karur–Oddanchatram shear zones. The delaminated lower crust is altered by magmatic underplating as evidenced by the high velocity layer just above the Moho. The velocity model of the region indicates crustal thickening at the boundary of the Dharwar craton and Moyar–Bhavani shear zone and thinning further south. Back-scattered seismic wave field with negative moveout and the Moho-offset indicate the spatial location and strike-slip nature of the shear zones. Present study suggests that the late Archean collision and suturing of the Dharwar craton with the southern crustal block at the Moyar–Bhavani shear zone may be responsible for the evolution of late Archean granulites. Late Neoproterozoic rifting is observed along the paleo-fault zones. The seismic studies constrained by gravity, magnetic and magnetotelluric data suggest that the Moyar–Bhavani and Karur–Oddanchatram shear zones of the Cauvery Shear Zone system mark terrane boundaries/suture zones.     

Anticlockwise evolution of ultrahigh-temperature granulites within continental collision zone in southern India

We report three new localities of corundum and sapphirine-bearing hyper aluminous Mg-rich and silica-poor ultrahigh-temperature granulites formed during Late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian times within the Palghat–Cauvery Shear Zone system in southern India. From petrologic characteristics, mineral chemistry and petrogenetic grid considerations, the peak metamorphic conditions of these rocks are inferred to lie around 950–1000 °C (as suggested by Al in orthopyroxene thermometer) at pressures above 10 kbar (as indicated by the equilibrium orthopyroxene–sillimanite–gedrite ± quartz assemblage). These rocks preserve several remarkable reaction textures, the most prominent among which is the triple corona of spinel–sapphirine–cordierite on corundum, with the whole textural assembly embedded within the matrix of gedrite, suggesting the reaction: Ged + Crn = Spl + Spr + Crd. The formation of sapphirine–sillimanite assemblage/symplectite associated with relict corundum and porphyroblasitc cordierite is explained by the reaction: Crd + Crn = Spr + Sil. The association of sapphirine cordierite symplectite with gedrite–sillimanite assemblage as well as with aluminosilicate boundaries indicates the gedrite consuming reaction: Ged + Sil = Spr + Crd. Extensive growth of sapphirine–cordierite observed on the rim of gedrite porphyroblasts with spinel occurring as relict inclusions within the sapphirine indicates the reaction: Ged + Spl = Spr + Crd. The pressure–temperature (P–T) path defined from the observed mineral assemblages and reaction texture is characterized by anticlockwise trajectory, with a prograde segment of initial heating and subsequent deep burial, followed by retrograde near-isothermal decompression. Such an anticlockwise trajectory is being reported for the first time from southern India and has important tectonic implications since these rocks were developed at the leading edge of the crustal block that was involved in collisional orogeny and subsequent extension during the final phase of assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent. We propose that the rocks were subjected to deep subduction and rapid exhumation, and the extreme thermal conditions were attained either through input from underplated mantle-derived magmas, or convective thinning or detachment of the lithospheric thermal boundary layer during or after crustal thickening.     

Mega sheath fold of the Mahadevi hills, Cauvery Suture Zone, southern India: Implication for accretionary tectonics

The Mahadevi hills, located in the axial zone of Cauvery Suture Zone, comprise a sequence of granulite facies rocks represented by garnet-bearing pyroxene granulites and quartzo-feldspathic gneisess interfolded with banded iron formations. Structural mapping with hand held GPS reveals that the Mahadevi hills constitute a mega sheath fold structure exposing well developed easterly plunging extension lineations. Depressional and culmination surfaces are well demarcated in association with elliptical map patterns. The development of the mega sheath fold structure is genetically related to the regional thrust-nappe tectonics, supporting the model of subduction-accretion-collisional history for the evolution of the Cauvery Suture Zone.     

Precambrian iron formations from the Cauvery Suture Zone,Southern India: Implications for sub-marine hydrothermal origin in Neoarchean and Neoproterozoic convergent margin settings

Thick horizons of iron formations including Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) and Banded Silicate Formations (BSFs) occur as E–W trending bands in the eastern part of Cauvery Suture Zone (CSZ) in the Sothern Granulite Terrane of India. Some of these occur in close association with the Neoarchean-Neoproterozoic suprasubduction zone complexes, where as some others are associated with metamorphosed accretionary sequences including pyroxene granulites and other high grade rocks. The iron formations are highly deformed and metamorphosed under amphibolite to granulite facies conditions and are composed of quartz–magnetite–hematite–goethite–garnet–pyrite together with grunerite and pyroxene. Here we report the geochemical characteristics of twenty representative samples from the iron formations that reveal a widely varying composition with Fe₂O₃^(t) (22–65 wt.% as total iron) total- Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ (205–6532), MnO/TiO₂ (0.25–12.66) and SiO₂ (33–85 wt.%), broadly representing the two types of iron formations. These formations also show very low Al/(Al + Fe + Mn) ratio (0.001–0.01), Al₂O₃ (0.07–0.76 wt.%), Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratio (2.7–21), MgO (0.01–4.41 wt.%), CaO (0.1–1.24 wt.%), Na₂O (0.01–0.05 wt.%) and K₂O (0.01 wt.%) together with low total REE (3.38–31.63 ppm). The trace and REE elemental distributions show wide variation with high Ni (274 ppm), and Zn contents (up to 87 ppm) when compared to mafic volcanics of the adjoining areas. Tectonic discrimination plots indicate that the iron formations of the Cauvery Suture Zone are of hydrothermal origin. Their chondrite normalized patterns show slight positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = up to 1.77) and relatively less fractionation of REE with slight LREE enrichment compared to HREE. However, the PAAS (Post Archean Average of Australian Sediments) normalized REE patterns display significant positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* up to 2.32) with well represented negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 0.66–1.28). The above results together with petrological characteristics and available geochronology of the associated lithologies suggest that the iron formations can be correlated to Algoma-type. The Fe and Si were largely supplied by medium to high temperature sub-marine hydrothermal systems in Neoarchean and Neoproterozoic convergent margin settings.     

Petrography and geochemical characteristics of the sediments of the small River Hemavati, Southern India: Implications for provenance and weathering processes

Small rivers (≤ 100 km length) are likely to drain fewer rock types. Therefore, their solutes and sediments are good indicators of weathering environments typical of their basins and help constraining the nature of their source rocks. To understand this, the texture, mineralogy, major and trace element compositions of the sediments deposited by the River Hemavati, a northern upland tributary of the Cauvery River in southern India, are analyzed and discussed.

The Hemavati sediments are overall of fine sand size (mean 2–3), and have high concentrations of FeO (≤ 7 wt.%), TiO₂ (≤ 1.2 wt.%), Cr (≤ 350 ppm) and Ni (≤ 125 ppm). Major and trace element distribution call for a binary source for the sediments, and particularly point to contrasting climatic conditions of their provenances. The source areas in the upstream and downstream parts are exposed to sub-humid high relief and sub-arid low relief conditions, respectively, with distinct weathering characteristics. The CIA values (85–48) decrease from near the source to downstream, suggesting that the downstream rain-shadow part of the catchment suffered only minor chemical weathering.

On the other hand, the REE distribution in the Hemavati sediments indicates contrasting lithologies in their provenance, and is not controlled by chemical weathering. On the basis of REE patterns, the sediments are divided into two compositional groups. The Type 1 sediments have a REE chemistry similar to the upper continental crust, and have been derived from the > 3.2 Ga composite peninsular gneisses occurring in the low-lying, semi-arid Mysore Plateau. The Type 2 sediments, however, have dominantly intermediate to mafic granulite contributions from the tectonically uplifted Western Ghats, weathered under sub-humid conditions. High concentrations of FeO, TiO₂, Cr and Ni in the sediments suggest mafic-dominated source lithologies in the upper catchment, a feature also confirmed by field observations and petrographic study.     

青藏高原南部雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的时空分布特征及地质意义

雅鲁藏布江缝合带是青藏高原上重要的缝合带之一,位于青藏高原南部,蛇绿岩是该带的主体。雅鲁藏布江缝合带按蛇绿岩的出露规模、岩石层序以及侵位时间,大致可以分为东段、中段和西段。在蛇绿岩出露规模上存在显著差异,东段规模较小,中段次之,西段最大,并且在西段分成两支蛇绿岩带;蛇绿岩岩石层序出露比较齐全的是中段日喀则和东段罗布莎,其他地方的蛇绿岩均被肢解,不能组成完整的蛇绿岩岩石剖面;在蛇绿岩的形成和侵位时间上,也有着不同的特点,东段和西段集中形成于晚侏罗世—早白垩世,而中段形成时间较早,时代从中三叠世一直持续到早白垩世,主要集中形成于晚侏罗世—早白垩世。笔者系统研究雅鲁藏布江缝合带蛇绿岩在东西方向上所表现出来的差异性,对更全面深刻地了解新特提斯洋的产生、俯冲及其消亡过程和演化历史具有重要意义。     

Early Triassic Volcanic Rocks in the Western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone: Implications for the Opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean

In this study, zircon U-Pb dating of volcanic rocks from the Zhongba ophiolite of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) in southern Xizang (Tibet) yielded an age of 247 ± 3 Ma. According to whole rock geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data, the Early Triassic samples could be divided into two groups: Group 1 with P-MORB affinity, showing initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70253–0.70602, εNd(t) values of 4.2–5.3, (206Pb/204Pb)t ratios of 16.353–18.222, (207Pb/204Pb)t ratios of 15.454–15.564, and (208Pb/204Pb)t ratios of 35.665–38.136; Group 2 with OIB affinity, showing initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70249–0.70513, εNd(t) values of 4.4–4.9, (206Pb/204Pb)t ratios of 17.140–18.328, (207Pb/204Pb)t ratios of 15.491–15.575, and (208Pb/204Pb)t ratios of 36.051–38.247. Group 2 rocks formed by partial melting of the mantle source enriched by a former plume, and assimilated continental crustal material during melt ascension. The formation of Group 1 rocks corresponds to the mixing of OIB melts, with the same components as Group 2 and N-MORBs. The Zhongba Early Triassic rocks belong to the continental margin type ophiolite and formed in the continental–oceanic transition zone during the initial opening of the Neo-Tethys in southern Xizang (Tibet).     

Structure and tectonics of the Achankovil Shear Zone, southern India

An integrated approach to resolve the kinematics of the controversial Achankovil Shear Zone (AKSZ) has been attempted involving remote sensing data, shaded relief topo-maps, ground details of lithology and mesoscopic structures. An excellent correlation of structural trends exists on all scales of observation. The AKSZ is distinctly defined by NW–SE trending foliation fabrics with steep dips to southwest. The adjacent Madurai block and Trivandrum block show contrasting lithological and structural characteristics as shown in structural cross-sections.The mesoscopic structural studies reveal the presence of sub-horizontal stretching lineations, asymmetric structures like S–C′ fabrics, porphyroclasts, ‘S’ shaped folds and shear bands confirming the strike-slip component of shear along AKSZ. The deformation undergone by the AKSZ could be described in terms of an initial dextral deformation — D₁, reactivated and superimposed by sinistral kinematics — D₂, which is also supported by megascopic structural interpretation of remote sensing data. The megascopic structural interpretation of AKSZ displays en-echelon pattern of lineaments with right overstepping arrangement, which can be interpreted as an evidence of the latest sinistral transpressional deformation.     

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Signatures in Albian-Danian Limestones of Cauvery Basin, Southeastern India

The Albian-Danian limestones of Cauvery Basin show a wide range of d¹³C and d¹⁸O values (–13.2 to +1.1% and –9.0 to –2.5%, respectively). The cement samples show negative carbon and oxygen isotope values (–18.9 to –3.9% and –9.0 to –4.3%, respectively). The petrographic study reveals the presence of algae, molluscs, bryozoans, foraminifers and ostracods as major framework constituents. The limestones have microspar and equant sparry calcite cements. The pore spaces and vugs are filled with sparry calcite cement. The bivariate plot of d¹³C and d¹⁸O suggests that most of the samples fall in the freshwater limestone and meteoric field, while few samples fall in the marine limestone and soil calcite fields. The presence of sparry calcite cement, together with negative carbon and oxygen isotope values, indicates that these limestones have undergone meteoric diagenesis.     

雅鲁藏布江缝合带中部硅岩地球化学特征及构造环境制约

硅岩在雅鲁藏布江缝合带广泛发育。在 1∶ 2 5万萨嘎县幅、桑桑区幅区域地质调查中 ,在缝合带及其南侧宗卓组中识别出 3种硅岩沉积组合 :1嘎学群内与玄武岩伴生的硅岩 ;2构造混杂带内夹于页岩中的硅岩 ;3宗卓组内夹于页岩—岩屑石英杂砂岩的硅岩。在硅岩中分离出的放射虫组合时代为白垩纪。运用地球化学研究手段 ,对硅岩岩石组合、岩石化学、微量元素和稀土元素特征进行了综合分析 ,与玄武岩伴生的硅岩 Al/ (Al Fe Mn)为 0 .5 33～ 0 .5 4 6 <0 .6 19(除 9号样外 ) ,Ce/ Ce* 为 0 .6 7(平均 ) ,L an/ Ybn为 0 .83～ 1.37和 L an/ Cen为0 .82～ 2 .2 3;夹于页岩中的硅岩 Al/ (Al Fe Mn)为 0 .5 5 7～ 0 .6 19,Ce/ Ce*为 0 .995～ 1.35 0 ,L an/ Ybn为 0 .71～ 1.0 3和 L an/ Cen为 0 .6 8～ 0 .98;宗卓组内的硅岩 Al/ (Al Fe Mn)为 0 .6 15～ 0 .70 7>0 .6 19,Ce/ Ce* 为 0 .94～1.14 ,L an/ Ybn 为 1.4 4～ 1.6 6和 L an/ Cen 为 0 .85～ 1.0 7。研究证实 ,3种背景的硅岩均反映非热水或生物成因。嘎学群内与玄武岩伴生的硅岩具深水盆地沉积特征 ;宗卓组中的硅岩具典型大陆边缘沉积环境特征 ;构造混杂带内的硅岩形成于近大陆边缘环境中     

西藏雅鲁藏布江缝合带二叠纪灰岩体的动物群及其古地理意义

西藏雅鲁藏布江缝合带含有从砾石级到几十平方千米大小的二叠纪灰岩体，它们没有完整的地层层序，与围岩形成混杂或滑杂堆积，长期以来对其来源的解释存在争论。本文通过对灰岩体的动物群类型、古生物地理区系及其岩石学特征等方面进行研究和比较，认为雅鲁藏布江缝合线一带的二叠纪灰岩体总体上都呈现出冈瓦纳冷水型与华夏暖水型动物群混生特点，应形成于相同或类似的沉积环境。根据珊瑚、筵、腕足类等动物群大致分为与南方冈瓦纳大陆北缘内陆棚相动物群比较接近和与更靠近古赤道区的拉萨地块动物群较为接近两种类型，其时代从早二叠世晚期至长兴期不等。灰岩体主要由肉红色或灰色纯生物碎屑灰岩组成，不含或含有很少的陆源碎屑，均孤立地分散于中生代地层中，与围岩往往呈断层接触，断层带或灰岩夹层中经常有玄武岩或其他火山岩。因此，灰岩体可能为位于冈瓦纳大陆北缘外陆棚上小型碳酸盐台地或新特提斯洋最初裂解带上的海山型碳酸盐岩沉积，受后期印度-欧亚大陆板块碰撞作用而成为外来体夹于缝合带的其他海相沉积中。     

Genetic implications of Zn‐ and Mn‐rich Cr‐spinels in serpentinites of the Tidding Suture Zone,eastern Himalaya,NE India

Metamorphosed serpentinites of the Tidding Suture Zone (TSZ), eastern Himalaya, contain variably altered Cr‐spinels that are concentrically zoned from high‐Cr, low‐Fe³⁺ spinel at the core to Cr‐magnetite at the rim. Two types of Cr‐spinel have been recognized, based on back‐scattered electron imaging in conjunction with microprobe analytical profiles. Cr‐spinel type‐I is present in the least metamorphosed serpentinite (Cr# = 0.78–0.85, Mg# = 0.38–0.45) and Cr‐spinel type‐II is present in the most highly metamorphosed serpentinite (Cr# = 0.86–0.94, Mg# = 0.10–0.34). Primary igneous compositions are preserved in the type‐I chromites whereas these compositions have been partly or completely obscured by metamorphism and alteration in type‐II grains. The enrichment of Mn and Zn increases from the type‐I (MnO = 1.86–2.42 wt.%, ZnO = 0.77–1.67 wt.%) to type‐II (MnO = 2.72–4.04 wt.%, ZnO = 1.33–3.22 wt.%) and the strong similarity in their distribution patterns implies that these elements were introduced during low‐grade metamorphism and serpentinization. The abundance of Mg‐rich chlorite and serpentine minerals suggest that olivine was the predominant silicate phase before serpentinization. Zn and Mn enrichment in the core zone of the Cr‐spinel is due to the substitution of Mg²⁺ and in part of Fe²⁺, by Zn and Mn. These elements were probably supplied from olivine upon serpentinization during and after obduction of the ophiolitic mélange along the Tidding Suture Zone in the eastern Himalaya, NE India. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Southern Granulite Terrain, South of the Palghat-Cauvery Shear Zone: Implications for India-Madagascar Connection

The present paper correlates the southern Madgascar terrain, south of the Ranotsara shear with the granulite terrain of southern India, occurring south of the Palghat-Cauvery (P-C) shear zone. Both the terrains have witnessed high temperature to ultra high temperature granulite metamorphism at 550 Ma and are traversed by shear zones and deep crustal faults. The 550 Ma old granulite terrains of Madagascar and southern India have similar lithologies, in particular, sapphirine bearing pelitic assemblages. Graphite deposits and gem occurrences are common to both these terrains. The 550 Ma old southern granulite terrain of southern India comprises of different blocks, the Madurai and the Kerala Khondalite belt, but all the blocks have similar lithologies with pelite—calc silicate rocks inter-banded with two pyroxene granulite bodies. These lithologies occur amidst an essentially charnockitic terrain. The protolith ages of the southern granulite terrain, south of the P-C shear zone ranges between 2400–2100 Ma. The terrain as a whole has witnessed the 550 Ma old granulite event. The granulite metamorphism took place under temperatures of 800–1000°C and at pressures of 9.5 to 5 Kbar.The source of heat for the high temperature granulite event of the southern Madagascar terrain has been linked to advective heat transfer along mantle deep faults. The source for the high temperature granulite metamorphism for the southern granulite terrain may be attributed to high temperature carbonatite and alkaline intrusives in an extensional setting which followed an initial crustal thickening.Many workers have linked Madagascar to southern India by connecting the Ranotsara shear either to the P-C shear zone or to the Achankovil shear zone, further south. The important factor is the lithologies of the Madagascar terrain, south of Ranotsara shear zone and the 550 Ma. old southern Indian granulite terrain are similar in many aspects. It will be more appropriate to link the Ranotsara shear to the curvilinear lineament bounding the Anaimalai-Kodaikanal ranges and which merges with the southern margin of the P-C shear zone.However, north of the Ranotsara shear/fault, the northern Madagascar terrain comprises of a dominant Itremo sequence (< 1850 Ma) and 780 Ma old calc-alkaline intrusives. The latter have similarities with that of Aravallis and the Sirohi, Malani sequences occurring further north east. The Rajasthan terrain has witnessed igneous intrusive activity at 1000–800 Ma. If we can broaden the area of investigations and include the above areas, the Madagascar-India connection can be better understood.     

“秦岭-大别-苏鲁”造山带中“古特提斯缝合带”的连接

中国大陆西北部的"古特提斯缝合带"如何与东面的"秦岭-大别-苏鲁"造山带连接,是涉及中国大陆中部构造格架的关键问题之一。南秦岭造山带中的古特提斯蛇绿岩带和东秦岭-桐柏-大别-苏鲁造山带中三叠纪高压-超高压变质带的对比,以及一条位于两者之间的220~204 Ma的大型左行走滑剪切带的存在,提供了它们之间关系的新的视角,为此,我们提出南秦岭的勉略蛇绿岩带向东通过宁陕-湘河大型左行走滑剪切带,和大陆俯冲与深俯冲造成的"耀岭河-桐柏-大别-苏鲁"高压—超高压变质带北缘连接,构成"秦岭-大别-苏鲁"造山带中的古特提斯缝合带新模式。沿着这条边界,南秦岭构造单元可以分为南部的南秦岭被动陆缘单元和北部的南秦岭主动陆缘单元,后者向东的延伸由于南、北板块之间三叠纪的剪切碰撞而尖灭。     

Multistage tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Canavese Intracontinental Suture Zone: New constraints on the tectonics of the Inner Western Alps

The Canavese Intracontinental Suture Zone (CISZ) within the Inner Western Alps represents the remnant of a long-lived minor subduction zone involving a narrow, thinned continental crust/oceanic lithosphere seaway between two continental domains of the Adria microplate (i.e., the Sesia Zone and the Ivrea-Verbano Zone). As opposed to many suture zones, the CISZ mostly escaped pervasive tectonic deformation and metamorphism, thus preserving the original stratigraphy and allowing the relationships between tectonics and sedimentation to be defined. Through detailed geological mapping (1:5000 scale), structural analysis, stratigraphic and petrographic observations, we document evidences for the late Paleozoic to late Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the CISZ, showing that it played a significant role in the context of the tectonic evolution of the Inner Western Alps region from the early to late Permian Pangea segmentation, to the Jurassic Tethyan rifting, and up to the subduction and collisional stages, forming the Western Alps. The site of localization/formation of the CISZ was not accidental but associated with the re-use of structures inherited from regional-scale wrench tectonics related to the segmentation of Pangea, and from the subsequent extensional tectonics related to the Mesozoic rifting, as documented by crosscutting relationships between stratigraphic unconformities and tectonic features. Our findings document that evidences derived from stratigraphy, facies indicators, and relationships between tectonics and sedimentation in the shallow crustal portions of suture zones, such in the CISZ, are important to better constrain the tectonic history of those metamorphic orogenic belts around the world in which evolutionary details are commonly complicated by high-strain deformation and metamorphic transformations.     

Field report:Research along the Yarlung Suture Zone in Southern Tibet,a persistent geological frontier

The Yarlung Suture Zone in Southern Tibet marks the boundary between India and Asia-formerly separated by an ocean basin-and is a critical record of the tectonic processes that created the Tibetan Plateau. The Yarlung Suture Zone is also a frontier research area, as difficulty of access has limited research activity, providing ample opportunities for new discoveries. This paper documents field research conducted by the authors along the Yarlung suture zone in eastern Xigaze(Shigatse, Rikaze)County, ~250 km west of the city of Lhasa, in July 2017. The goal of this research was to map the Suture Zone structure in detail, and more specifically to understand the branching relationships between two major fault systems-the Great Counter Thrust and Gangdese Thrust. A summary of early geological exploration is included to provide context for this research.     

Geochemical characteristics of mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Naga Hills Ophiolite,India:Implications for petrogenesis

The Naga Hills Ophiolite(NHO) represents one of the fragments of Tethyan oceanic crust in the Himalayan Orogenic system which is exposed in the Phek and Kiphire districts of Nagaland, India. The NHO is composed of partially serpentinized dunite, peridotite, gabbro, basalt, minor plagiogranite,diorite dyke and marine sediments. The basalts are mainly composed of fine grained plagioclase feldspar, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene and show quenching and variolitic textures. The gabbros are characterized by medium to coarse grained plagioclase, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene with ophitic to sub-ophitic textures. The ultramafic cumulates are represented by olivine, Cpx and Opx.Geochemically, the basalts and gabbros are sub-alkaline to alkaline and show tholeiitic features.The basalts are characterized by 44.1-45.6 wt.% of SiO_2 with 28-38 of Mg#, and the gabbros by38.7-43.7 wt.% of SiO_2, and 26-79 of Mg#. The ultramafic rocks are characterized by 37.4-52.2 wt.% of SiO_2, and 80-88 of Mg#. In multi-element diagrams(spidergrams) both basalts and gabbros show fractionated trends with strong negative anomalies of Zr. Nb. Sr and a gentle negative anomaly of P.However, the rare earth element(REE) plots of the basalts and gabbros show two distinct patterns. The first pattern, represented by light REE(LREE) depletion, suggests N-MORB features and can be interpreted as a signature of Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust. The second pattern, represented by LREE enrichment with negligible negative Eu anomaly, conforms to E-MORB, and may be related to an arc tectonic setting. In V vs. Ti/1000, Cr vs. Y and AFM diagrams, the basalts and gabbros plot within Island Arc Tholeiite(IAT) and MORB fields suggesting both ridge and arc related settings. The ultramafic rocks exhibit two distinct patterns both in spidergrams and in REE plots. In the spidergram, one group displays highly enriched pattern, whereas the other group shows near flat pattern compared to primordial mantle. In the REE plot, one group displays steeper slopes [(La/Yb)N = 4.340-4.341], whereas the other displays moderate to flat slopes [(La/Yb)N = 0.97-1.67] and negative Eu-anomalies. Our study suggests that the ultramafic rocks represent two possible mantle sources(fertile and refractory).     

Ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism in the Achankovil Zone: Implications for the correlation of crustal blocks in southern India

The Achankovil Zone of southern India, a NW–SE trending lineament of 8–10 km in width and > 100 km length, is a kinematically debated crustal feature, considered to mark the boundary between the Madurai Granulite Block in the north and the Trivandrum Granulite Block in the south. Both these crustal blocks show evidence for ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism during the Pan-African orogeny, although the exhumation styles are markedly different. The Achankovil Zone is characterized by discontinuous strands of cordierite-bearing gneiss with an assemblage of cordierite + garnet + quartz + plagioclase + spinel + ilmenite + magnetite ± orthopyroxene ± biotite ± K-feldspar ± sillimanite. The lithology preserves several peak and post-peak metamorphic assemblages including: (1) orthopyroxene + garnet, (2) perthite and/or anti-perthite, (3) cordierite ± orthopyroxene corona around garnet, and (4) cordierite + quartz symplectite after garnet. We estimate the peak metamorphic conditions of these rocks using orthopyroxene-bearing geothermobarometers and feldspar solvus which yield 8.5–9.5 kbar and 940–1040 °C, the highest P–T conditions so far recorded from the Achankovil Zone. The retrograde conditions were obtained from cordierite-bearing geothermobarometers at 3.5–4.5 kbar and 720 ± 60 °C. From orthopyroxene chemistry, we record a multistage exhumation history for these rocks, which is closely comparable with those reported in recent studies from the Madurai Granulite Block, but different from those documented from the Trivandrum Granulite Block. An evaluation of the petrologic and geochronologic data, together with the nature of exhumation paths leads us to propose that the Achankovil Zone is probably the southern flank of the Madurai Granulite Block, and not a unit of the Trivandrum Granulite Block as presently believed. Post-tectonic alkali granites that form an array of “suturing plutons” along the margin of the Madurai Granulite Block and within the Achankovil Zone, but are absent in the Trivandrum Granulite Block, suggest that the boundary between the Madurai Granulite Block and the Trivandrum Granulite Block might lie along the Tenmalai shear zone at the southern extremity of the Achankovil Zone.     

Early cretaceous ophiolites of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone: insights from dolerites and peridotites from the Baer upper mantle suite,SW Tibet (China)

The Baer ophiolitic massif is located in the northern sub-belt of the western segment of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) and mainly consists of a lherzolite-dominant mantle suite, dolerite intrusions and limited crustal outcrops. The dolerites show sub-ophitic texture and light rare earth element-depleted chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns similar to normal-mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB); though, they display enrichments in fluid-mobile elements (Rb, Ba, and Sr) and marked depletions in Th and Nb. The U–Pb ages of several magmatic zircon grains recovered from two dolerite samples indicate that the intrusion of the dikes into the Baer lherzolitic mantle occurred at 125.6–126.3 Ma, consistent with the widespread mafic magmatism between 120 and 130 Ma in the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites. The dolerites have slightly more radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7043–0.7054) in comparison to N-MORB, whereas they show ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values (0.513067–0.513114) similar to N-MORB and high zircon Hf-isotope compositions. They have a limited range of Nd-isotope (ε_Nd(t) values: +8.2 to +9.1) and juvenile Hf-isotope compositions (ε_Hf(t) values: +8.4 to +14.2 and +10.0 to +15.1) indicating derivation from mantle melts. The moderate spread in the ε_Hf (t) values of zircons indicates derivation of the dolerites parental magma from a weakly contaminated spinel-bearing mantle source. This is also corroborated by the geochemical signatures of the Baer dolerites (enrichment in LILE and depletion in HFSE) suggesting minor slab input to the mantle source of the dike-filling melt. We suggest that the genesis of the dolerite dike-forming melt happened at a stage of subduction initiation in a sub-oceanic mantle domain mildly affected by fluids emanating from the downgoing slab. Our data combined with literature data allow us to presume that the intrusion of the dolerites into the Baer mantle corresponds to an early phase of subduction initiation beneath a developing forearc basin.