Dehydration--Melting Phenomena in Leptynitic Gneisses and the Generation of Leucogranites: a Case Study from the Kerala Khondalite Belt, Southern India

Pan-African high-grade metamorphism in the Kerala KhondaliteBelt (South India) led to the in situ formation of garnet-bearingleucosomes (L1) in sodic quartz—alkali feldspar—biotitegneisses. Microtextures, mineralogy and the geochemical characteristicsof in situ leucosomes (L1) and gneiss domains (GnD) indicatethat the development of leucosomes was mainly controlled bythe growth of garnet at the expense of biotite. This is documentedby the selective transfer of FeO, MgO, , Sm and the heavy rareearth elements into the L1 domains. P-T constraints (T>800C,P>6kbar, aH₂O0.3) suggest that the leucosomes were formedthrough complete melting of biotite in fluid-absent conditions,following the model reaction Biotite+Alkali feldspar+QuartzlGarnet+Ilmenite+Melt.The fraction of melt generated during this process was low (<10vol.%). The identical size of the leucosomes as well as theirhomogeneous and isotropic distribution at outcrop scale, whichlacks any evidence for melt segregation, suggest that the migmatiteremained a closed system. Subsequent to migmatization, the leptyniticgneisses were intruded by garnet-bearing leucogranitic melts(L2), forming veins parallel and subperpendicular to the foliation.The leucogranites are rich in potassium (K₂O5.5 wt%), (Ba400p.p.m.) and Sr (300 p.p.m.), and exhibit low concentrationsof Zr (40 p.p.m.), Th (<1 p.p.m.) and (<10 p.p.m.). Thechondrite-normalized REE spectra show low abundances (La_N20,Lu_N3) and are moderately fractionated (La_N/Lu_N7). An Eu anomalyis absent or weakly negative. The higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio at550 Ma (0.7345) compared with the migmatite (0.7164) precludesa direct genetic relationship between leptynitic gneisses andleucogranites at Manali.Nevertheless, the chemical and mineralogicalcompositions of the leuocogranites strongly favour a derivationthrough fluid-absent biotite melting of isotopically distinctbut chemically comparable Manali-type gneisses. The undersaturationof Zr, Th and REE, a typical feature of leucogranitic meltsgenerated during granulite facies anatexis of psammo-peliticlithologies and attributed to disequilibrium melting with incompletedissolution of accessory phases (zircon, monazite), is weaklydeveloped in the leucogranites of Manali.It is concluded thatthis is mainly due to the sluggish migration of the melts instatic conditions, which facilitated equilibration with therestitic gneisses. ^*Fax: 0228-732763; e-mail: ingo.braun{at}uni-bonn.de     

Hydrometeor structure of a composite monsoon depression using the TRMM radar

This paper addresses the use of a satellite-based radar for obtaining the composite structure (from several monsoon depressions) of the distribution of precipitation elements in the horizontal and the vertical. This composting is based on the use of a simple elliptical layout of coordinates along the major and minor axes of each storm as it passed over north central India. This satellite, called the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), carries onboard a microwave instrument known as the Precipitation Radar (PR). The vertical structure of hydrometeors provided by the radar is somewhat of the same quality as the ground-based Doppler radar units. The PR could identify many features such as the melting layers, height of convection, extent of anvils and types of precipitation over different sections of the composited monsoon depression. Furthermore, the asymmetric nature of surface rainfall that intensifies around the composited monsoon depression has also been mapped, which could provide several more details than was possible from other satellite-based estimates. It is found that the most intense precipitation occurs in the south-southwest region of the monsoon depression. The preponderance of stratiform rain and the coverage of fewer deep convective elements, especially over the orographic upslope region, are some other noticeable features obtained using the TRMM PR. The stratiform rain was noted to arise where the melting layers (in the radar reflectivity signatures) were located near 5 km. In those few occasions where tall rain clouds were discernible, the cloud tops were seen to extend all the way from 12 to 15 km. Rainfall amounts across the composite monsoon depression range from 10 to 100 mm d⁻¹. The 3–4 d passage time of one of those disturbances resulted in local rainfall totals of the order of 200–300 min d⁻¹.     

TRANSFORMATION OF DIPOLE TO SCHLUMBERGER SOUNDING CURVES BY MEANS OF DIGITAL LINEAR FILTERS*

Linear relationship between dipole and Schlumberger sounding resistivities leads to the use of digital filters to transform the former to the latter. This transformation is of importance from the viewpoint that Schlumberger interpretational techniques and know-how could then be applied to the pseudo-Schlumberger field curve. Filters for this transformation are presented for the radial, perpendicular, and parallel (30°) dipole method. The characteristics of these filters are similar to the ones for transforming dipole data to the kernel and are favourable in that they do not amplify noise. A sampling interval of (In 10) /6 has been used in determining the filter yielding good accuracy. Like previous filters the present one is handy and fast in operation.     

THE CORRELATION REFRACTION METHOD AS APPLIED TO WEATHERED ZONE STUDIES IN A GRANITE TERRAIN*

The combined observation of first and later arrivals in shallow seismic refraction surveys, particularly on hard rock terrains, is discussed. Details of experimental weathered-zone investigations by the correlation refraction method in a granite terrain (i.e. field procedure, seismograms obtained, plotting of the data, and identification of the waves are presented). Complete travel time data and interpreted subsurface sections of a few test refraction surveys are included. In one instance the interpreted results of normal and converted refracted wave data have been tested by drilling at three points along a 220 m long profile.     

Garnetiferous Metabasites from the Sausar Mobile Belt: Petrology, P-T Path and Implications for the Tectonothermal Evolution of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone

A suite of garnetiferous amphibolites and mafic granulites occuras small boudins within layered felsic migmatite gneiss in thenorthern part of the Sausar Mobile Belt (SMB), the latter constitutingthe southern component of the Proterozoic Central Indian TectonicZone (CITZ). Although the two types of metabasites are in variousstages of retrogression, textural, compositional and phase equilibriastudies attest to four distinct metamorphic episodes. The earlyprograde stage (M_o) is represented by an inclusion assemblageof hornblende₁ + ilmenite₁ + plagioclase₁ ± quartz andgrowth zoning preserved in garnet. The peak assemblage (M₁)consists of porphyroblastic garnet + clinopyroxene ±quartz ± rutile ± hornblende in mafic granulitesand garnet + quartz + hornblende in amphibolites and stabilizedat pressure–temperature conditions of 9–10 kbarand 750–800°C and 8 kbar and 675°C, respectively.This was followed by near-isothermal decompression (M₂), andpost-decompression cooling (M₃) events. In mafic granulites,the former resulted in the development of early clinopyroxene_2A–hornblende_2A–plagioclase_2Asymplectites at 8 kbar and 775°C (M_2A stage), synchronouswith D₂ and later anhydrous clinopyroxene_2B–plagioclase_2B–ilmenite_2Bsymplectites and coronal assemblages at 7 kbar, 750°C (M_2Bstage) and post-dating D₂. In amphibolites, ilmenite + plagioclase+ quartz ± hornblende symplectites appeared during M₂at 6·4 kbar and 700°C. During M₃, coronal garnet+ clinopyroxene + quartz ± hornblende-bearing symplectitesin metabasic dykes and hornblende₃–plagioclase₃ symplectitesembaying garnet in mafic granulites were formed. P–T estimatesshow near-isobaric cooling from 7 kbar and 750°C to 6 kbarand 650°C during M₃. It is argued that the decompressionin the mafic granulites is not continuous, being punctuatedby a distinct heating (prograde?) event. The latter is alsocoincident with a period of extension, marked by mafic dykeemplacement. The combined P–T path of evolution has aclockwise sense and provides evidence for a major phase of earlycontinental subduction in parts of the CITZ. This was followedby a later continent–continent collision event duringwhich granulites of the first phase became tectonically interleavedwith younger lithological units. This tectonothermal event,of possibly Grenvillian age, marks the final amalgamation ofthe North and the South Indian Blocks along the CITZ to producethe Indian subcontinent. KEY WORDS: Central Indian Tectonic Zone; clockwise P–T path; continental collision; metabasite     

Plant studies in the first Himalayan Biosphere Reserve: a review

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve(NDBR) was declared as the first Himalayan Biosphere Reserve owing to its unique biological and cultural wealth. Its core zones, Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park, are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. In spite of lying at a high altitude, interplay of factors such as unique geographical location, climate, topography and wide altitudinal variations have endowed NDBR with a rich and diverse flora. Proportionately high percentage of endemic and near endemic plants makes NDBR a very important protected area from conservation point of view. However, its floristic wealth is facing unprecedented threats in the form of climate change and growing anthropogenic pressure. Hence, a need was felt to assess the directionality, quality and sufficiency of past and ongoing research for the conservation of floral and ethnobotanical wealth of NDBR in the absence of any such previous attempt. Based on an extensive review of more than 150 plant studies on NDBR, this communication provides a detailed account of the current state of knowledge and information gaps on flora, vegetation ecology, rare, endangered, threatened(RET) and endemic plants and ethnobotany. Priority research areas and management measures are discussed for the conservation of its unique floral wealth. Incomplete floral inventorization, lack of biodiversity monitoring, meagre studies on lower plant groups, population status of medicinal plants, habitat assessment of threatened taxa and geo-spatial analysis of alpine vegetation were identified as areas of immediate concern.     

Field evidences showing rapid frontal degeneration of the Kangriz glacier,western Himalayas,Jammu & Kashmir

Life cycle of glaciers in the Himalayan region has notably changed due to the climatic variability since last few decades. Glaciers across the world and specially the Himalayan glaciers have shown large scale degeneration in the last few decades. Himalayan glaciers serve as an important fresh water resource for the downstream communities, who are dependent on this water for domestic and other purposes. Therefore, glacier shrinkage and the associated hydrological changes pose a significant problem for regional-scale water budgets and resource management. These issues necessitate the regular and rigorous monitoring of the wastage pattern of the Himalayan glaciers in field and using satellite remote sensing data. In this work, we report rapid and enhanced degeneration of the frontal part of the Kangriz glacier, Jammu and Kashmir(J K), in terms of surface melting, debris cover, snout characteristics and meltwater discharge. Ablation data acquired during 2016-2017 shows the average lowering of the frontal part of the glacier to be ~148 ± 34 cm, one-third of which was found to have occurred within a 13 day time period in September, 2017. Also, the quantum of ice melt was found to be inversely influenced(r =-0.84) by the debris thickness. 15 day meltwater discharge measurement revealed its strong relationship with snout disintegration pattern, evidenced twice during the said time period. Volume of water discharged from the glacier was estimated to be 7.91×10~6 m~3 for the measurement duration. Also, mean daily discharge estimated for the 15 days interval showed good positive correction(r = 0.78) with temperature indicating the direct dependency of the former on land surface temperature conditions of the region. Besides the lowering and discharge observations, the frequent ice-block break-offs at the glacier snout further enhance its overall drastic degeneration. The study suggests that, being the largest glacier in the Suru basin, the Kangriz glacier needs to be continuously monitored in order to understand its glacio-hydrological conditions.