Abstract
Fragmentation of the Protocontinental masses along the orthogonal type of mega-fractures during cratonisation processes is responsible in breaking-up of the Indian shield into major crustal blocks. Narmada-Son-Tapti (SONATA) geofracture is one such prominent megafracture dissecting the Indian shield across Central India that has given rise to a number of grabens, viz., Mahanadi, Godavari and Damodar. The E-W trending Damodar graben at the eastern Indian shield margin, has developed along the central axis of the Chhotanagpur Gneiss Granulitic Complex (CGGC, >2.0 Ga), which served as a basement for Gondwana sedimentation since Upper Carboniferous to Mesozoic period. This zone is marked by prolonged magmatic activity since Paleo-Proterozoic time, culminating into eruption of Rajmahal basalt during Early Cretaceous (116 Ma). The development of contrasting igneous rock association on either side of Damodar graben in a rift setting, suggest generation of magma from diverse source rock composition and depth. The emplacement of syenite, nepheline syenite, alkali granite, basic, ultrabasic rocks and massif anorthosite at the southern part of rift, and mafic (gabbro-anorthositetroctolite) and ultramafic magmatism together with rapakivi granite in the northern part, are manifestations of mid-Proterozoic events. The basic magmatic activity was followed by pervasive emplacement of K-rich peraluminous granites. However, the dyke swarms of dolerite, lamprophyre and lamproite of Early Cretaceous age in the Gondwana sediments of Damodar Valley Coal Field and the adjoining Bengal Basin give testimony to reactivation of deep seated basement dislocations. Such igneous rock kindreds of mantle origin are known for rift generated magmatism during Mesozoic period in the adjoining continental margins of Western Australia and East Antarctica which were once joined together with Eastern India, prior to the fragmentation of Gondwanaland. The phases of tholeiitic, anorthositic, granitic, alkaline and ultrapotassic magmatism in space and time through Paleo-Proterozoic to Early Tertiary age in Damodar graben are comparable with the Oslo graben of Norway and the Rhine graben of Germany. The geological history of CGGC is, therefore, controlled by magmatism in an intra-continental rift setting which shows reactivation over a period of about 2 billion years.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashwal, L. D. (1993) Anorthosites. Springer-Verlog, Berlin.
Acharya, S. K. (1969) A note on the geology of Darjeeling coal field and its bearing on the structure of the Eastern Himalayas, Rec Geol Surv Ind 97, 91–101.
Agrawal, O.P. and Ghose, N.C. (1986) Geology and stratigraphy of the Naga Hills ophiolite between Meluri and Awankhoo, Phek district, Nagaland, India, in N.C. Ghose and S. Varadarajan (eds.), Ophiolites and Indian Plate Margin, Sumna Publ & Distrib, Patna, 163–195.
Baksi, A. K. (1986) 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating study of whole rock samples from the Rajmahal and Bengal traps, eastern India, Terra Cognita 6, 161.
Barman, T.R., Paul, D.K., and Ferrar, E. (1987) Widespread Early Cretaceous flood basalt volcanism in eastern India: geochemical data from the Rajmahal-Bengal-Sylhet traps, Chem Geol 63, 133–141.
Basu, A., Bhattacharya, A. K., and Paul, D.K. (1997) Petrology and geochemistry of the lamprophyric rocks from the Bokaro coal field, Bihar and their economic potential, J Geol Soc Ind 50, 255–266.
Bhattacharya, U. (1980) The Gariadih rapakivi granite of the Bihar Mica Belt, Hazaribagh district, Bihar, J Geol Soc Ind 21, 21–29.
Bhaumik, T., Mukherjee, S., and Basu, A. (1990) Petrology of the nepheline syenite from Santuri, Purulia district, West Bengal, India, J Geol Soc Ind 36, 589–606.
Bose, M.K. (1979) On the eastern ghats Precambrian granulite belt and associated anorthosites, Ind J Earth Sci 6, 200–219.
— and Chakraborti, M.K. (1981) Fossil marginal basin from the Indian shield: a model for the evolution of Singhbhum Precambrian belt, Eastern India, Geol Rundsch 70, 504–518.
Basaltic Volcanism Study Project (1981) Basaltic Volcanism on the Terrestrial Planets. Pergamon Press, N.Y. Chatterjee, G.C. and Ghose, P.K. (1970) Tectonic frame-work of the Peninsular Gondwanas of India, Rec Geol Surv India 98, 1–15.
Funaki, M. (1983) Paleomagnetic investigation of Ferrar dolerite in the McMurdo Sound region, Antarctica Rec 77, 20–22.
Ghose, N.C. (1967) On the origin of hornblendite occurring at Demu, District Palamau, Bihar, J Geochem Soc Ind 2, 5–9.
— (1970) On the occurrence of peridotite dyke from Richughuta, Palamau and its bearing on the composition of upper mantle, Second Upper Mantle Symp., National Geophy Res Inst, Hyderabad, 349–359.
— (1976) Composition and origin of Deccan basalts, Lithos 3, 55–73
— (1983) Geology, tectonics and evolution of the Chhotanagpur granite gneiss complex, Eastern India, in S. Sinha-Roy (ed.), Structure and Tectonics of Precambrian Rocks, Recent Resear Geol 10, Hindustan Publ Corp., Delhi, 211–247.
— (1992) Chhotanagpur gneiss granulite complex, Eastern India: Present status and future prospect, Ind J Geol 64, 100–121.
—, Shmakin, B.M., and Smirnov, V.N. (1973) Some geochronological observations on the Precambrians of Chhotanagpur, Bihar, Geol Mag 110, 481–484.
Ghose, N.C. and Chakraborty, S.K. (1978) Petrology of the McCluskieganj granites, district Palamau, Bihar, Recent Resear Geol 7, 33–52.
Ghose, N.C. and Singh, R.N. (1980) Occurrence of blueschist facies in the ophiolite belt of Naga Hills, East of Kiphire, N.E. India, Geol Rundsch 69, 41–43.
Ghose, N.C, Chakraborty, S.K., and Srivastava, S.C. (1984) Mineralogy and chemistry of the metabasic rocks around McCluskieganj, District Hazaribagh, Bihar, Geol Surv Ind Rec 114, 25–42.
Ghose, N.C. and Acharyya, S.K. (1992) Petrology across the central part of Rajmahal basalt, eastern India, 29 Intern Geol Cong, Kyoto, Symp 11, 8–6.
Ghose, N.C, Singh, S.P., Singh R.N., and Mukherjee, D. (1996) Flow stratigraphy of selected sections of the Rajmahal basalts, eastern India, in N.C. Ghose et al. (eds.), Mesozoic Magmatism of Eastern Margin of India, J Southeast Asian Earth Sciences 13, 83–93.
Ghosh, S. K. and Mukhopadhyay, A. (1985) Tectonic history of the Jharia basin — An intracratonic Gondwana basin Eastern India, Quar J Geol Min Met Soc Ind 57, 33–38.
Holmes, A. (1955) Dating the Precambrian of Peninsular India and Ceylon, Proc Geol Assoc Canada 7, 81–106.
Johnson, B.D., Powell, C. McA., and Veevers, J.J. (1980) Early spreading history of the Indian ocean between India and Australia, Earth Planet Sci Lett 47, 131–143.
Kaila, K.L. (1986) Tectonic frame work of Narmada-Son lineament: A continental rift system in Central India from deep seismic soundings, Geodynamic Series, Am Geophys Un 13, 133–150.
—, Reddy, P.R., Dixit, M.M., and Koteswara Rao, P. (1995) Crustal structure across the Narmada-Son lineament, Central India, from deep seismic soundings, J Geol Soc Ind 26, 465–480.
Kent, R.W., Ghose, N.C, Paul, P.R., Hassan, M.J., and Saunders, A.D. (1992) Coal-magma interaction: an integrated model for emplacement of cylindrical intrusions, Geol Mag 129, 753–762.
Kent, R.W., Storey, M., Saunders, A.D., Kempton, P.D., Kelley, S.P., and Ghose, N.C. (1994) Origin of lamproite and alnoite magmas emplaced above the Kerguelen plume Geochemical and isotopic evidence, Earth Planet Sci Lett (commun.).
Kent, R.W., Saunders, A.E., Storey, M., and Ghose, N.C. (1996) Petrology of Early Cretaceous flood basalts and dykes along the rifted volcanic margin of eastern India, in N.C. Ghose et al. (eds.), Mesozoic Magmatism of the Eastern Margin of India, J Southeast Asian Earth Sciences 13, 95–111.
Kent, R.W., Saunders, A.D., Kempton, P.D., and Ghose, N.C. (1997a) Rajmahal basalt, Eastern India: Mantle sources and melt distribution at a volcanic rifted margin, in J. J. Mahoney and M.F. Coffin (eds.), Large Igneous Province: Continental, Oceanic, and Planetary Flood Volcanism, Geophys Monograph 100, Am Geophy Un, 145–182.
Kent, R.W., Kelly, S. P., and Pringle, M. S. (1997b) Mineralogy and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of orangeites (Group II kimberlites) from the Damodar valley, eastern India, Mineral Mag (in press).
Mahadevan, T.M. (1994) Deep continental structure of India: A review, Geol Soc Ind Mem 28, 469p.
Mall, A.P. and Prasad, A. (1986) Petrology and geochemistry of meta-gabbro and associated basic rocks from Mathurapur, District Santhal Paraganas, Bihar, Ind J Earth Sci 13, 243–255.
McBirney, A.R. (1993) Igneous Petrology, Jones and Bartlett, Boston.
McDougall, I. (1963) Potassium-argon age measurements on dolerites from Antarctic and South Africa, J Geophy Res 68, 1535–1545.
McLelland, J. and Whitney, P. (1990) Anorogenic, bimodal emplacement of anorthosite, charnockitic and related rocks in the Adirondack Mountains, New York, Geol Soc Am Sp Paper 246, 301–315.
Mukherjee, D. (1995) Geochemical and tectonic evolution of Bengal anorthosite, Ph.D. Thesis (unpub.), Patna University, Patna.
Mukherjee, D. and Ghose, N.C. (1992a) Conglomerate at the base of Bihar Mica Belt metasediments, east of Kodarma, District Hazaribagh, Bihar, Ind Min (in press).
Ghose, N.C.— (1992b) Subsurface geology and geochemistry of massif anorthosite of Bengal, Eastern India, 29 Intern Geol Cong Kyoto, 516–517 (Abst).
Ghose, N.C.— (1992c) Crystallization history of Bengal anorthosite based on subsurface drill core data, IGCP 290, Rogaland Meeting, 8 (Abst.).
Ghose, N.C.— (1992d) Precambrian anorthosites within the Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex in Eastern Indian Shield, Ind J Geol 64, 143–150.
Ghose, N.C.— (1995) Borehole litho-stratigraphy of Bengal anorthosite massif, Eastern India, IGCP 315 Meeting, Brazil, 58–59 (Abst).
Mukherjee, S., De, S.K., and Bhaumik, T. (1984) Geology of the nepheline syenites occurring in the area around Kushunda, Purulia district, West Bengal, Rec Geol Surv India 114, 59–62.
Mukhopadhyay, A. (1986) Faults in Jharia coal basin, Eastern India, Ind Min 40, 22–38.
Mukhopadhyay, D. (1989) Precambrian plate tectonics in the Eastern Indian shield, in S.P.H. Synchanthavong (ed.), Crustal Evolution and Orogeny, Oxford & IBH Pub Co., New Delhi, 75–100.
Mukhopadhyay, M. (1987) Gravity field and its significance to the origin of the Bengal anorthosite, J Geol Soc India 29, 489–499.
—, Verma, R.K., and Ashraf, M.H. (1986) Gravity field and structure of the Rajmahal hills: Example of the Palaeo-Mesozoic continental margin in eastern India, Tectonophysics 131, 353–367.
Naqvi, S.M., Divakara Rao, V., and Hari Narain (1974) The protocontinental growth of Indian shield and the antiquity of the rift valleys, Precamb Res 1, 345–398.
Negi, J.G., Pandey, O.P., Agrawal, P.K. (1986) Supermobility of hot Indian lithosphere, Tectonophysics 131, 147–156.
Pandey, B.K., Gupta, J.N., and Lal, Y. (1986) Whole-rock and mineral Rb-Sr isochron ages for the granites from Bihar Mica Belt of Hazaribagh, Bihar, Ind J Earth Sci 12, 157–162.
Pearce, J.A. and Cann J.R. (1973) Tectonic setting of basic volcanic rocks determined using trace element analysis. Earth Planet Sci Lett 19, 290–300.
Radhakrishna, B.P. (1989) Suspect tectono-stratigraphic terrane elements in the Indian subcontinent, J Geol Soc Ind 34, 1–24.
Radhakrishna, B.P. and Naqvi, S.M. (1986) Precambrian continental crust of India and its evolution, J Geol 94, 145–166.
Rakshit, A.M. and Rao, P.P. (1989) Megalineaments on the face of the Indian sub-continent and their geological significance, in M.N. Qureshy and WJ. Hirge (eds.), Regional Geophysical Lineaments: Their tectonic and economic significance, Geol Soc Ind Mem 12, 17–24.
Rao, R.U.M. and Rao, G.V. (1982) Heat flow in Indian Gondwana basins and heat production of their basement rocks, Tectonophysics 91, 105–117.
Ravi Shankar (1998) Geothermal regime in the Son-Narmada-Tapti lineament zone, Project Crumansonata, Geol Surv India Sp Pub 10, 249–284.
Ray Barman, T., Bishui, P.K., Mukhopadhyay, K., and Ray, J.N. (1990) Rb-Sr geochronology of the high grade rocks from Purulia, West Bengal and Jamua-Dumka sector, Bihar, Ind Min 49, 45–60.
Rock, N.M.S., Griffin, B.J., Edgar, A.D., Paul, D.K., and Hergt, J.M (1992) Olivine lamproites, lamproites and minettes from Jharia coal field, Eastern India: A spectrum of potentially diamondiferous lamproites and minettes from the Jharia coal field, eastern India, J Volcan Geotherm Res 50, 55–83.
Rogers, J. J.M. (1986) The Dharwar craton and the assembly of Peninsular India, J Geol 94, 129–143.
Sarkar, A., Paul, D.K., Balasubrahmanya, M.N, and Sengupta, N.R. (1980) Lamprophyres from Indian Gondwanas: K-Ar ages and Chemistry, J Geol Soc Ind 21, 188–193.
Sarkar, A., Datta, A.K., Poddar, B.C., Bhattacharyya, D.K., Kollapuri, V.K., and Sanwal, R. (1996) Geochronological studies of Mesozoic igneous rocks from Eastern India, in N.C. Ghose et al. (eds.), Mesozoic Magmatism of the Eastern Margin of India, J Southeast Asian Earth Sciences 13, 77–81.
Sarkar, A.N. (1982) Precambrian tectonic evolution of eastern India: a model of converging microplates, Tectonophysics 36, 363–397.
— (1988) Tectonic evolution of the Chhotanagpur plateau and Gondwana basins in Eastern India: An interpretation based on supra-subduction geological processes, Geol Soc Ind Mem 3, 127–146.
Sarkar, A.N. and Jha, B.N. (1985) Structure metamorphism and granitic evolution of the Chhotanagpur granite gneiss complex around Ranchi, Rec Geol Surv India 113, 1–12.
Sarkar, S.N. (1968) Precambrian stratigraphy and geochronology of Peninsular India: A synopsis, Dhanbad Publ, Dhanbad.
Schilling, J.G., Zajae, M., Evans, I., Johnson, T., White, W., Devine, J.D., and Kingsley, R. (1983) Petrologic and geochemical variations along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from 27°N to 73°N, Am J Sci 283, 510–586.
Scott Smith, B.H. (1989) Lamproites and kimberlites in India, Neues Yb Miner Abh 161, 193–225.
Srivastava, S.C. and Ghose, N.C. (1992) Petrology of the high-grade gneisses and granites around Chianki, South of Daltonganj, District Palamau, Bihar. Ind J Geol 64, 122–142.
Storey, M., Kent, R.W., Saunders, A.D., Salters V.J., Hergt, J., Whitechurch, J.H., Sevigny, M.F., Thirwell, M.F., Leat, P., Ghose, N.C, and Gifford, M. (1992) Lower Cretaceous volcanic rocks on continental margins and their relationship to the Kerguelen Plateau, in S.W. Wise et al., (eds.), Proc ODP Sci Res Leg 120, College Station, Texas, 33–53.
Subrahmanyam, C. and Verma, R.K. (1986) Gravity field, structure and tectonics of the Eastern Ghats, Tectonophysis 126, 195–212.
Sun, S.S. and McDonough, W.E. (1989) Element concentrations (in ppm) for chondrites, normal enriched-type, mid-oceanic ridge basalts (N-and E-MORB), and ocean island basalt (OIB), in A.D. Saunders and M.J. Norry (eds.), Magmatism in the Ocean Basin, Geol Soc Am Sp Publ 42, 313–345.
Verma, R.K. (1985) Gravity field, seismicity and tectonics of the Indian peninsula and the Himalayas, Allied Pub Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.
—, Ghosh, D., Roy, S.K., and Ghosh, A. (1975) Gravity survey over Bankura anorthosite complex, West Bengal, J Geol Soc Ind 16, 361–369.
Verma, R.K., and Ghosh, D. (1977) Gravity field, structure and tectonics of some Gondwana basins of Damodar valley, India, Geophy Case Histories Ind 1, Hyderabad, 97–112.
Verma, R.K., Mukhopadhyay, M., Ashraf, M.H., Nag, A.K., and Satyanarayana, Y. (1988) Analysis of gravity field over Chhotanagpur plateau and Bihar Mica Belt, Geol Soc Ind Mem 3, 194–198.
Verma, R.P., Jaipuriar, A.M., and Paul, P.R. (eds.) (1989) Compendium of updated and revised geology of Jharia coal field, Ranchi, Bihar: Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd. (in press).
Viladkar, S.G. (1996) Geology of the carbonatite-alkalic diatreme of Amba Dongar, Gujarat, GMDC Science & Research Centre, Ahmedabad.
Weaver, B.L. and Tarney, J. (1981) Lewisian geochemistry and Archean crustal development models, Earth Planet Sci Lett 55, 171–190.
Whitechurch, H., Montigny, R., Sevigney, J., Storey, M., and Salters, V.J. (1992) K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar ages of central Kerguelen Plateau basalts, in S.W. Wise et al. (eds.), Proc. Ocean Drilling Prog Sci Res Leg 120, College Station, Texas, 71–77.
Yoshida, M., Funaki, M., and Vitange, P.W. (1989) A Jurassic-Cretaceous dolerite dyke from Sri Lanka, J Geol Soc lnd 33, 71–75.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Mukherjee, D., Ghose, N.C. (1999). Damodar Graben: A Centre of Contrasting Magmatism in the Eastern Indian Shield Margin. In: Sinha, A.K. (eds) Basement Tectonics 13. Proceedings of the International Conferences on Basement Tectonics, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4800-9_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4800-9_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6015-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4800-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive