Journal of Geosciences, Osaka City University

Vol. 38. Art. 6. p.IIS-ISI

March, 1995

Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern Peninsular

India During 1993-1994

Masaru YOSHIDA I , Makoto ARIMA 2 , Takashi KAN0 3 , Yasuhiro KAT0 3 ,

Keitaro KUNUGIZA 4 , Hiroshi SHIRAHATA 5 , Tsuneo SOHMA 4 ,
Kanenori SUWA 6, Yoshiaki TAINOSHO 7, YasutakaTANI 1 ,
Unnikrishnan-WARRIER, C. I , Venkata-RAO, M. l ,
Hideki WADAS, Yoshiaki YAMAGUCHI 9
and Shin-ichi YOSHIKURA 10

(with 17 Figures and 1 Table)

Abstract

Geological field survey in southern to southeastern India was conducted during November 1993 to March
1994, as the second year field program supported by the Monbusho Fund of the Japanese Government. The
aim of the research was to study the Precambrian tectonothermal history of these parts of Peninsular India
and to compare it with East Antarctica. The field survey was mostly conducted by three groups during
different periods and in different survey areas. The field teams consisted of 15 scientists from Japan and 13
scientists from India. In the Bangalore-Trivandrum area, the earliest Proterozoic granites in the Bangalore
area, and the granulites and granites in the Kerala-Tamilnadu area were specifically surveyed. In the Karnataka
area, survey areas included the Sargur area, the area surrounding Tiptur, the Holenarsipur Belt, and Bababudan,
where Archaean to early Proterozoic migmatite, granites and greenstone-belt rocks were observed. In the
Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam area, survey areas included various outcrops where Archaean to early Proterozoic
migmatite, granite and schists, Mesozoic to Cainozoic Gondwana Sediments and trap basalt, and Proterozoic
metasediments, syenites, charnockites and khondalites were observed. About 3000 kg of rock samples were
collected, which will be studied in future in both Indian and Japanese laboratories under Japan-India
collaboration programs. Samples collected are under laboratory examination mostly in Japan. They include
petrogr.phy, microstructure, mineral chemistry, mineral-phase petrology, and carbon, oxygen, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr,
and Pb-Pb isotope studies.

INTRODUCTION

In continuation of the 1992 field survey in India (YOSHIDA et al., 1994), we conducted
field work in southern to eastern Peninsular India during late 1993 to early 1994. In

1. Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science,Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan

2. Faculty of Education, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan
3. Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Faculty of Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
4. Faculty of Education, Toyama University, Toyama, Japan
5. Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran, Japan
6. Nihon Fukushi University, Mihama-cho, Chita-gun, Aichi Pref., Japan
7. Faculty of Education, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
8. Institute of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
9. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan
10. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
116 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

o
N
Geochronotectonic Framework
of
Precambrian Peninsular India

-----~

SOkm 100 200km

~I=;l;;;;;;;;;;;l;;;=!o'=;b;;;;;;'

INDEX

~ Younger Cover

c=:J MetasupracruB1a1s

1-;,v",:,v,".1 Northern Granuile Segment

Southern Granulite Segment.

n:nn Eastem Ghats Granoite Segment

I···,······) Closepel Gran/Ie

c=J Greoostone Termirl

./ Proterozoic shear zone

- - - Orthopyroxene loograj

Fig. 2

Fig. 1. Geochronotectonic framework of Precambrian Peninsular India and areas of the present survey
(modified from Unnikrishnan-WARRIER et al., 1993).
Frame with figure numbers are major survey areas. KKB: Kerala Khondalite Belt, EGS:
Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt. Squared numeral indicates as follows. 1: Kabbaldurga-
Birigirirangam Granulite Belt, 2: Nilgiri Granulite Block, 3: Madras Granulite Block, 4: Periyar
Granulite Block,S: Madurai Granulite Block, 6: Trivandrum Granulite Block, 7: Karimnagar
Granulite Block.

the fiscal year 1993, the field program was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education,
Culture and Science (MONBUSHO). The aim of the present field survey was the
same as that of the previous year, viz., to obtain advanced understanding of the granulite
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern Peninsular India 117

Table 1. Geological field survey in southern to eastern Peninsular India during 1993-1994

Survey areas Survey period Scientists

Surrounding Nov. 10-24, TAINOSHO (leader), SOHMA, SUWA, WADA

Trivandrum and 1993. YAMAGUCHI, KURUMA, TABATA
Bangalore (M. SANTOSH, RADHI-D-MENON, B.MAHABALESWAR)

Kerala- Nov.25-Dec.6, WADA

Tamil Nadu. 1993 (M. SANTOSH, U.P. RADHIKA, M. SATISH-KUMAR)

South Feb.30-Mar.14, KANO (leader), K.Jl.To, KUNUGIZA, TSUNEMATSU

Karnataka 1994 (N. S. SWAMY, B. MAHABALESWAR)

Hyderabad- jan.6-Feb.7 YOSHIDA (leader), SHIRAHATA, YosHrKuRA, TANI

Visakhapatnam 1994 (M. SANTOSH, T. RAJESHAM, B. MAHABALESWAR,
and nearby areas A.T. RAO, K. GHATAK, R.S. DrvI, R. MOHAN)

Visakhapatnam jan. 4-8 ARrMA

1994 (A.T. RAO)

Dharwar Craton jan. 16-23, SHIRAHATA

1994 (T. RAJESHAM)

Kerala jan. 15-30 Unnikrishnan-WARIUER

1994

Tamil Nadu and jan. 15-30 M.V. RAO

Orissa 1994 (N.P. NATHAN)

terrains of southern to eastern Peninsular India and to compare them with those of East
Antarctica. The field survey was conducted mostly by three groups in different areas
during different periods. In addition to this, five scientists from Japan conducted field
surveys by themselves in different periods (Fig. 1 and Table 1). This report describes
observations made during the field survey so that future laboratory studies by each
member may be facilitated.

GRAPHITE IN THE KERALA KHONDALITE BELT

General

The southern Indian granulite terrain has received much attention In the last
several years, particularly because of the widely accepted theory on large-scale CO 2
influx at the base of the crust proposed for the origin of charnockites in this terrain
(NEWTON et al., 1980). The mechanisms of granulite formation are, however, highly
debated in many of the Proterozoic and Archaean terrains (e.g., LAMB and VALLEY, 1984;
BAKER and FALLICK, 1989; JACKSON and SANTOSH, 1992). The Kerala Khondalite Belt
(KKB) in the southern margin of South India is a high-grade metamorphic terrain
where granulite facies supracrustal sequences are dominant. In this region, evidence
118 M.asaru YOSHIDA et al.

025
02
I. Paranlhal
2. Kottavattom 3. 4
3. Korani
• •6

. ··8
4. Madampara
5. Kappi vila 9.5 • •7
6. Vedathipara
7. Pallinada 10 .
021e
8. Chittikara TRIVAN U~ 11 .18
9. Koliakkode 14,15,16,17 023 12
10. Maniyancode
II. PuthumangaJam •
12. Nuliyam 20 Amali
13. Arumanellur .
2 L Kottavilapalti
14. Kattayikkonam 22. Mannanlhala 50 Kms
15. Mukkunnimala 23. MaJayankil
16. Myladumpara 24. Putletti
17.0ottukuzhi 25 NellikkaJa
J 8. Vallioor .
I 9 . Uchamkuylam
26. Kadakamon
• Graphite localities

. BangaJort'".·
~ Phanerozoic Sediments
~

D Kerala Khondalite Belt

E3
CJ

CI
INDEX
Phanerozoic cover
Granite-Greenstone
terratn
Granulite Blocks
-
D........
Nagercoil Block

Madurai Block

~
• Achancovil shear zone
l<>J Transcruslal Shears N

Fig. 2. Locality map of field survey in the Kerala Khondalite Belt, southern India.
Solid circles are localities visited by H. \VADA for graphite survey and open circles are localities
visited by Tainosho and others.

for the introduction of CO 2 -rich fluids along structural pathways is provided by the
local alteration of amphibolite facies gneisses into desiccated veins and patches of
orthopyroxene-bearing granulites (incipient charnockites) (JANARDHAN et at., 1982;
SANTOSH, 1991; SANTOSH et at., 1990). In this terrain, different types of graphite
occurrences are identified, associated with highly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks,
pegmatite veins and incipient charnockites (Fig. 2). RADHIKA et at. (1994) reported the
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern PeYfinsular India 119

occurrences of graphite deposits of southern Kerala and their genesis. The occurrences
of graphite deposits in these localities are important to the study of the deep to middle
crustal processes in Archaean to Proterozoic era. The main purposes of the study in
the KKB are to clarify the origin of these graphites and to understand its relationship
with the fluid processes in the lower and middle crust. Considering these important
themes, a field survey was carried out. This report concerns the field survey conducted
during November-22 to December-S, 1993, by H. WADA, and M.SANTOSH; U. P. RADHIKA
and M. SATISH-KuMAR of the Centre for Earth Science Studies, India, were the
collaborating scientists.

Field Survey in Kerala and Tamil N adu

Graphite Associated with Khondalite Localities in the Kerala Khondalite
Belt. At Vedathippara Quarry, a typical khondalite occurrence, with alternating gneiss
bands of garnet-biotite-sillimanite gneiss, and quartz-feldspathic gneiss occur. Tiny
graphite flakes occur in khondalites. Garnet porphyroblasts are enriched in leucosome.
Partially migmatized, me socratic, foliated khondalitic gneisses occur in parts of the
quarry. Many cordierite-biotite-bearing pegmatitic veins cut the foliation of the
khondalites (Fig. 3A). At Pallinada quarry, graphite-bearing, foliated khondalitic gneisses
were observed. Big garnet porphyroblasts (up to 5 cm across) were found in the
leucosome. Three different occulTences of graphite flakes are identified: 1) disseminated
graphite flakes In the foliated khondalite; 2) large, flaky graphite crystals In

quartzo-feldspathic veins along mesoscopic shear zones; 3) graphite flakes along mesoscopic
shears/faults. At Koliakkode quarry, coarse cordierite-bearing khondalite occurs. Large,
scaly graphite crystals were found in a shear zone in the banded khondalite, banded
khondalitic gneisses occur and at Kattayikkonam quarry. Snowball structure of large
garnet porphyroblasts was observed in the mesocratic lithofacies. Graphite occurs as
disseminations. At Mukkunnimala quarry, well-foliated, cordierite-bearing khondalites
are distributed. According to the occurrences of graphite, three types were identified:
1) disseminated graphite in banded gneisses; 2) graphite along the segregation veins
which probably formed during deformation processes; 3) graphite in some pegmatite
veins coexisting with quartz and feldspars. The occurrence of cordierite crystals is
categorized into two types: 1) disseminated cordierite crystals In the banded
khondalite-gneisses; 2) cordierite coexisting with graphite in the segregation veins.
At Myladumpara quarry, massive charnockites showing leucocratic, quartzo-
feldspathic segregations, were found. Pegmatites intrude into the massive charnockites,
and are principally composed of quartz and feldspar. At Oottukuzhi quarry, banded
khondalite with migmatite structure occurs. In some places, pegmatitic veins were
found. In them, coarse graphite assemblages having random orientation are present
towards the core portion of the pegmatite, and the margins are characterized by small
flakes oriented parallel to the contact zone of the pegmatite with the host metapelites
(Fig. 3B). At Vallioor quarry, well-foliated khondalitic gneisses with microfolds were
120 Masaru YOSHIDA et ai.

observed. Coarse graphite flakes were also found in the pegmatitic part of the migmatites.
Systematic sampling from these khondalite localities was carried out, especially on
the different types of graphite occurrences, for further laboratory studies. These studies
may provide new information and ideas on the evolution of this supracrustal belt.

Marble/Calc-silicate Quarries in Arnbasarnudrarn. Extensive marble and calc-

silicate sequences are distributed in Ambasamudram. Holocrystalline humite-chondro-
dite-spinel-magnesian calcite assemblages occurs in the marble (KmsHNANATH, 1981).
Graphite occurs as disseminated flakes, up to 1 mm in size. The gray, banded limestone
contains fine-grained graphite. The graphite-calcite isotope thermometer in carbonate-
dominant marble can be a useful tool which will give the maximum temperature of the
metamorphism.
At Uchankulam quarry, marbles found beneath the lateritic soil of about 2 meters
in thickne~s are well foliated and highly contorted (Fig. 4A, B). Fine, scaly,
graphite-bearing marble bands containing blue spinel, yellowish humite, and chondrodite
are characteristic. At Amali quarry, in the vicinity of Uchankulam, massive and incipient
charnockite and biotite-garnet gneiss occur. Some pegmatitic veins cut across the gneisses
and contain large flaky graphites. Graphite occurring in these quartz-feldspathic
pegmatites appeared to be enriched as segregations. The field relationship between
marbles, calc-silicates, incipient charnockites, pegmatites and garnet-biotite gneisses is
important in understanding the genesis of the incipient charnockite. At Kottavilappatti
quarry, calc-silicate/ marble assemblages are well distributed. We observed disseminated
graphite crystals in marble. Unfortunately, we could not observe the immediate contact
between garnet-biotite gneisses and calc-silicate rocks because of the thick lateritic cover.
Samples were collected from marbles and associated rock types. A systematic
laboratory analysis is going on to delineate the metamorphic conditions in this region,
using calcite-graphite thermometry.

Maruda Gold Mine Project. The Maruda gold-mine project area IS located near
Nilambur town, Northern Kerala. The gold-survey project is supported by the Kerala
State Government to evaluate the prospects of gold deposit by drill cores and surface
survey. The native gold-mine area is located at the southern end of the greenstone
belt in the Chitradurga district west of Bangalore. Recently, a gold-graphite association
in the granulite terrain of Sri Lanka was reported as an important factor in auriferous
hydrothermal mineralization (DISSANAYAKE and RUPASINGHE, 1992). It may be interesting
to delineate the role of graphite in gold mineralization during Archaean and Proterozoic
times.
We collected some drill cores and barren greenstones containing carbonates, for
carbon and oxygen isotope studies, which may distinguish the origin and the role of
carbonic fluids in auriferous fluid processes.
 Geological Survey ill Southern to Eastern Pelli1lSular Illdia 121

Concluding Remark
The field survey conducted in the graphite-bearing localities of the Kerala Khondalite
Belt has aided in the identification of graphites in different genetic associations. Principal-
ly, two major categories were identified: (1) biogenically-derived graphites within
compositional layerings, and (2) fluid-precipitated graphites within pegmatites, veins and
mesoscopic shears/faults. The second category is of utmost importance in tracing the
source of fluids, fluid movements, changing fluid regimes and fluid-rock interaction
processes in the earth's deep crust. Ongoing laboratory studies are expected to provide
information on these.
(H.W.)

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN AREAS SURROUNDING TRIVANDRUM

AND BANGALORE

General
The survey was carried out during the period from 10th November to 10th December
by seven Japanese geologists, including two students, assisted by several Indian
scientists. The southern margin of the south Indian high-grade metamorphic terrain
is composed of a granulite facies metasupracrustal sequence called the Kerala Khondalite
Belt (KKB) (Figs. 1 and 2). The major lithologies in this terrain include garnet-biotite
gneiss (leptynites), garnet-sillimanite-graphite gneiss (khondalites) and orthopyroxene-
bearing acid to intermediate rocks (charnockites). These rocks are intercalated in places
with basic granulites, calc-silicates and quartzites. Incipient charnockites can be noticed
throughout the terrain in the garnet-biotite gneisses. Available age data show that the
incipient charnockites were formed around sao Ma, during the Pan-African extensional
regime (Unnikrishnan-WARRIER et ai., 1993) that affected the KKB. Major localities of
this terrain are given in YOSHIDA et ai. (1994). Bangalore and the surrounding areas
include the transitional zone between the Archean granite-greenstone belt and the southern
granulite terrain in Peninsular India. The field survey was concentrated in the alkaline
granitic exposures, the incipient and massive charnockites and also in the greenstone belt.

Field Survey in Kerala Khondalite Belt

Incipient charnockites. The arrested stage of charnockite formation, currently termed
as the incipient charnockite, can be seen in many quarry sections throughout the
KKB. Incipient charnockites mostly form as veins and pods, with some dominant
orientation, in metasedimentary garnet-biotite gneiss in Mannantala quarry (Fig. SA).
The gneissic foliation in these areas is completely obliterated and younger pegmatitic
charnockitic veins are found to traverse these lithologies (YOSHIDA and SANTOSH,
1987). The incipient charnockite structures crosscut the regional foliated fabric of the
gneisses and occupy the fractures and shears. Younger quartzo-feldspathic pegmatitic
dykes also cut across both gneisses and incipient charnockites.
122 Masaru YOSHIDA et 01.

In the Nellikkala quarry, cordierite-bearing incipient charnockites occurs as patches

and veins (Fig. SB). There are two generations of cordierite in this quarry; one is in
the pegmatites and the other in the incipient charnockite. Garnet is surrounded by
cordierite in the pegmatitic charnockites whereas orthopyroxene is rimmed by cordierite
in the incipient charnockites. The Kottavattom quarry is yet another spectacular example
of charnockite in the making in this terrain. In this quarry, incipient charnockites in
the form of pods and veins are distributed in garnet-biotite gneiss. Garnet in the gneiss
occurs as porphyroblasts. At the Kadakamon quarry, the banded charnockite is roughly
parallel to the alternation structure. Lensoid calc-silicates occur within charnockites in
this quarry. A diopside + quartz assemblage is characteristic of these calc-silicates. The
Malayankil quarry is composed of garnet-biotite gneiss, banded charnockites and basic
granulites. The garnet-biotite gneiss consists of alternating, thin garnet-biotite bands
and thicker quartzo-feldspathic bands. The outcrop is nearly horizontal and I'epresents
the hinge of a fold (Fig. 4). The charnockites and leptynites are isoclinally co-folded
and basic charnockite occurs as lensoid bands. The retrograde metamorphic reaction,
with breakdown of pyroxene into biotite-garnet assemblages, is typically developed in
some parts of the quarry. Two generations of charnockite formation were observed in
this quarry: earlier, banded charnockite, and later, structurally controlled, channelized
incipient charnockite.
In the Nuliyam quarry, calc-silicate gneisses occur in the bottom of the quarry and
are overlain by coarse-grained, massive-charnockite and gneisses with incipient charnockite
association (Fig, 6A). CO 2 , which is causative for the formation of the charnockite in
this area, is considered to have been derived by the decarbonation of the local carbonate
lithology, producing a total conversion of the gneiss into charnockite near the contact
(J ACKSON and SANTOSH, 1992). Recently, a model involving the deep-seated carbon
source infiltrating into the garnet-biotite-gneiss is proposed for the origin of these
charnockites (HARLEY and SANTOSH, 1994). No doubt, this locality will remain a topic
of interest and debate.

Garnet-biotite gneiss and banded charnockite. The garnet-biotite gneiss 10 the

Myladippara quarry occurs as alternate layers with banded charnockites. Many parts
of the rocks are massive and coarse grained and appear pegmatitic. The pegmatites
which cut across these banded charnockites caused retrogression of charnockites to gneiss.

Syenite. In Puttetti, south of Trivandrum, a syenite pluton is exposed, which is intruded

into the massive charnockites. Coarse-grained leucocratic syenite occurs in a quarry
(Fig. 6B), with alternating bands of mafic, pyroxene-rich bands. Pegmatitic syenites of
later generations traverse this syenite body.
 Geological Survey ill Southem to Eastem Pellil1S11lar Tlldia 123

Field Survey surrounding Bangalore

Granitic rocks surrounding Bangalore. Granulite terrain In southern Peninsular
India was affected by magmatism during different stages of crustal evolution. This
plutonic activity is represented by many alkaline intrusives, such as alkali granites and
syenites with varying silica-saturation levels. These plutons are generally restricted to the
granulite terrain and to the transitional zone. The alkaline magmatic activity was
subsequent to the regional metamorphism in this mobile belt, which is composed
predominantly of charnockites, with minor amounts of calc-silicates. These alkaline
intrusives are essentially emplaced along faults and shear zones. The granitic rocks
around Bangalore are divided into four facies as follows: porphyritic pink granite,
porphyritic gray granite, equigranular pink granite and equigranular gray granite. In
the Biaralkusun quarry, pink granite with porphyritic K-feldspar occurs in meta-
sedimentary gneiss. In this outcrop, pink equigranular granite intrudes into porphyritic
gray granite (Fig. 7A). In the Honbayanadoddi quarry, equigranular pink granite
intrudes into equigranular gray granite. These equigranular gray granites occur as pods
in the gneiss. The pink granites are so closely associated with the schlieric migmatites
that they can be confidently interpreted as anatectic granites marking the most advanced
stage of melting and partial separation of melt from the restite. The combination of
early quartz segregations and late granitic leucosomes, leading to stromatic migmatites,
is interpreted as products of a moderate degree of partial melting. Equigranular pink
granite often includes mafic enclaves in the marginal phase.

Massive charnockites. The massive charnockite in Bastpura quarry is cut by a mafic

dyke (Fig. 7B). The pegmatitic charnockite forms discontinuous neozomic patches of
irregular shape, a few decimetel"s in thickness. The development of quartzo-feldspathic
bands is a prominent structure of the banded charnockite. The foliation in this banded
charnockite is generally parallel to the banding structure. The pegmatitic charnockite
is a coarse-grained, homogeneous, weakly foliated rock, bearing garnet, biotite and
orthopyroxene.

Incipient charnockite. Incipient charnockite occurs in many places south of Bangalore

(e.g., Kabbaldruga). Structurally, these incipient charnockites cut the regional fabric
of the gneiss and invade it along mesoscopic shears. At the Kabbaldurga quarry (Fig.
9, Loc. 21), we observed that the incipient charnockite gradually changes into pegmatitic
rock (Fig 8A). Such a relationship "vould indicate the strong link between them, with
regard to fluid evolution during metamorphism.

Peninsular Gneiss. Peninsular Gneiss is exposed at Blaralkusum (Fig. 9, Lac. 22).

The Peninsular Gneiss originates from tonalitic and granodioritic rock. It is highly
folded and sheared, with distinct foliation. These gneisses may be older than 3.0
Ga. This particular outcrop consists of coarse- to medium-grained gneiss, with many
124 Masaru YOSHIDA et OJ.

Fig. 3. (A) Khondalite with cordierite-graphite bearing pegmatite (Vedathipara quarry).

(B) Flaky graphite bearing pegmatite cutting across foliated khondalite. Fine-grained oriented
graphite can be found in the rim of the pegmatite (Oottukuzhi quarry).
 Geological Survey ill Southern to Eastern Pellinsular India 125

Fig. 4. (A) Well foliated and distorted marbles in the Ambasamudram marble district (Uchankulam
quarry).
(B) Gray, banded limestone occurs beneath about 2 m laterite soil in the Ambasamudram
marble district (Uchankulam quarry).
126 IVIasaru YOSHIDA et al.

Fig. 5. (A) Incipient charnockite at IVIannanthala Quarry; younger pegmatite dyke (PO) cuts across
the gneiss.
(B) Cordierite-bearing incipient charnockite (lC) at Nellikala.
 Geological Survey III SOl/them to Eastem Pellillsular Tlldia 127

Fig. 6. (A) Calc-silicate (CS) gneiss developed within the massive charnockite (MC) with incipient
charnockite at Nuliyam Quarry.
(B) Coarse-grained syenite at Puttetti Quarry. Dark part shows mafic, pyroxene-rich bands.
128 Masaru YOSHIDA et ai.

Fig. 7. (A) Equigranular pink granite (PG) intrudes equigranular gray granite (GG) at Biaralkusun
Quarry.
(B) Foliated massive charnockite in Bastrura Quarry is cut by a mafic dyke (MO).
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern Peninsular India 129

Fig. 8. (A) Incipient charnockite (Ie) at Kabbaldurga.

(B) Pillow lava outcrop with quartzite, at Maradihalli.
130 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

lifE

! 50 km

ANDHRA
PRADESH

['7J
~ Younger granites

[Zj Chitradurga Group

v
v
v
v
Ii

D
,
'"
''/'.. ; Jav~nahalli Group
"

I:: :::/ Bababudan Group

[ill] Holenarasipur Group

~ Charnockites lifE

Boundary between low- (from Weaver. 1990\

, ...... - and high-grade terranes

Fig. 9. Location and geologic sketch map of observed area (modified from WEAVER, 1990, Fig. 15.2).
Locality names of nos. 1-16 are listed ill Table 1 alld tllose 0/17-24 are explained in the text.

fine-grained, metabasitic enclaves.

Greenstone belt. Greenstone belt rocks are seen at Maradihalli (Fig. 9, Loc. 23) as
narrow bands within the Peninsular gneIsses. The nature and tectonic setting of the
supracrustal rocks in this greenstone belt, consisting of mafic igneous rocks and
stromatolitic limestones, are typical of Archaean cratonic regions. The mafic rocks show
beautiful pillow structure and are intercalated with quartzites (Fig. 8B). Parts of the
pillow lavas are metamorphosed to amphibolite facies and are weakly deformed. The
stromatolite occurs as lenses with quartzite/chalcedony veins. In the Chitradurga area
(Fig. 9, Loc. 24), the mafic rocks are associated with copper-sulfur mineralization which
was derived from hydrothermal fluids.

Concluding Remarks

In the area surrounding Trivandrum, the dominant lithologies observed include

garnet-biotite gneisses (leptynites), incipient charnockites, massive charnockites and
calc-silicates; a syenite pluton was also mapped during the survey. Representative
samples were collected and laboratory work is in progress. However, because of the
time limitations, a detailed structural analysis of the terrain could not be made but is
expected to be conducted in the near future. Geochronological studies, together with
structural analysis, is considered to be an effective way of interpreting the tectonics of
this area.
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern Peninsular India 131

The areas surrounding Bangalore and its vicinity provide an important transect,
starting from the granite-greenstone cratonic terrain, passing through the transitional
zone and ending in the granulite terrain. This transect is best suited for a thorough
investigation of the tectonic evolution as well as the tectonothermal history of south
India. Two main aspects of interest in the area are, firstly, the origin and development
of granitic rocks, and secondly, the nature of mafic rocks in the greenstone belt. A
detailed field survey by the Japan-India joint program was conducted by KANa and
others, which is described in the following section. Samples of important lithologies
collected during the present survey are being prepared for further laboratory studies.
(Y. 1'.)

THE DHARWAR CRATON IN KARNATAKA, SOUTH INDIA

General

The Karnataka survey group carried out field surveys in the Dharwar Craton of
southern Karnataka, South India, in 1992 and 1994. The survey team included three
Japanese geologists, and it was assisted by several Indian geologists. The field work
in 1992 was only a preliminary one, and we found several targets for detailed studies
in 1994 (YOSHIDA et al., 1994). From Feb. 18 to March 15 in 1994, we observed several
greenstone belts in southern Karnataka, focussing mainly on the supracrustal rocks,
including the banded iron formation (BIF) and manganese and sulphide deposits.
The Dharwar Craton, which is widely exposed in Karnataka State in South India,
is well known as a typical Archaean granite-greenstone belt. Two major research topics
can be recognised in this area: (1) the origin and development of granitic rocks (i.e.,
TTG or Peninsular gneiss) and their re-mobilization (Closepet Granite); and (2) the
nature and tectonic setting of supracrustal rocks of greenstone belts, including BIF and
mafic igneous rocks. Both topics are among the current themes of interest in modern
geology, concerning crustal evolution during Archaean time.
We focussed our study on the nature and tectonic setting of greenstone belts, because
recent researches seemed to be interested mainly in the geochemical and isotopic studies
of granitic rocks (e.g., MAHTIN, 1993; JAYANANDA et al., 1991).
The field area visited in Karnataka by our group is shown in Fig. 9. Vie observed
mainly four major greenstone belts in the southern part of the Dharwar Craton: the
Sargur and Holenarasipur belts (the older greenstone belts), the Bababudan belt (the
middle belt) and the Chitradurga belt (the younger belt).

Field Survey in Southern Karnataka

Sargur belts in the Mysore area. The Sargur and equivalent belts are found as several
small remnants within the Peninsular Gneiss around the southern part of Mysore
city. These belts are composed of ultramafic to mafic igneous rocks, fuchsite-bearing
quartzite, pelite, calc-silicate rocks and BIF (Fig. lOA). Some belts have complete
132 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

successions of all rock types, but more commonly, they carry only one or two rock
associations. The rocks are highly metamorphosed under the amphibolite facies
conditions in the northern part, and reach granulite facies in the southern part of the
Mysore area (Fig. 9).
Quartzite-pel ite-calcareous assocIatIOns, including ultramafic rocks, were observed
near Bettadabidu and Mavinahalli villages (Loc. 1 and 2, Fig. 9), and ultramafic rocks
(pyroxenite and amphibolite) with pelite and BIF near Motha (Loc. 3, Fig. 9). Samples
were collected from a complete BIF section, three metres thick, at Nugu dam, and a
manganese bed associated with BIF and metamorphosed ultrabasic rocks (Sagvandite)
near Gundalpet (Loc. 3 and 4, Fig. 9).
The Sargur belts are believed to be the oldest schist belts in the Dharwar Craton
by most Indian geologists (e.g., Swami NATH and RAMAKRISHNAN, 1990), although the
real geological history of the belts has not been fully clarified. Geochemical and
mineralogical studies are ongoing, at first in the BIF and the mafic igneous rocks of
the Nugu section, and next in the quartzite-pelite-carbonate associations in the belts, In
order to obtain comparative data with those in the other younger belts of the craton.

Holenarasipur belt near Hassan. The Holenarasipur belt (Loc. 14, Fig. 9) is also
considered to be equivalent to the Sargur belts. A branch of the belt is well exposed
for about 250 m long along the road near Hassan. This outcrop is composed mainly
of mafic rock directly in contact with non-sheared TTG; pelitic to psammitic rocks,
including blocks of mafic rocks; BIFs (Fig. lOB); and intercalations of highly sheared
quartzo-feldspathic rocks, probably derived from TTG. The rocks are weathered, but
detailed sampling and mapping were carried out, as the outcrop is considered to be a
standard section of the Holenarasipur belt.

Bababudan belt near Chikmagalur. The rock asociation of the Bababudan belt in the
northern part of Chikmagalur (Loc. 15, Fig. 9) is rather simple, consisting mainly of
quartzite, mafic meta-volcanic rocks and thick BIF, in ascending order. On the southern
cliff of Mt. Bababudan, the BIF reaches more than 200 m in total thickness (Fig. llA).

Chitradurga belt. The Chitradurga belt was observed in three cross-sections: north of
Chitradurga, in the northern part of the belt (Loc. 7-10, Fig. 9); Tiptur-Hosahalli route
in the middle part (Loc. 11-13, Fig. 9); and Karighatta area in the southern end of the
belt (Loc. 5, Fig. 9). The belt north of the Chitradurga area is composed of three
formations: Vanivilas, Ingaldal and G.R. Halli formations, in ascending order, and we
intend to examine the their lateral variation from north to south.
The Chitradurga belt is composed of BIFs, quartzites and carbonate rocks carrying
stromatolite (Fig. 11 B) in the Vanivalas Formation; mafic valcanic rocks, including
well-preserved pillow structure, in the Ingaldhal Formation; and BIFs, shale, quartzites
and carbonate rocks in the G.R Halli Formations. Mafic volcanic rocks of the belt also
carry distinct copper mineralization in the Ingaladhal mine of Chitradurga and the
 Geological Survey ill Southern to Easterll Pe"insular India 133

Kalyadi mIne near Tiptur. Both copper deposits are vein-type, consisting mostly of
chalcopyrite and pyrite.
The association of sulphide deposits and the BIFs In the same greenstone belt may
provide interesting problems regarding their genetic relationship, because both are
probably considered to be the products of the hydrothermal activities in the mid-oceanic
ridge system.

Concluding Remarks
Our investigations 10 Karnataka aIm to clarify the geological conditions and
mineralization of the greenstone belts in the Dharwar Craton through Archaean time. The
field work in 1994 was successfully completed with the co-operation of many Indian
geologists. We collected rock samples reaching nearly 2 tons in total weight, and have
now initiated the laboratory works.
(T.K, KK, Y.K)

DHARWAR CRATON-GODAVARI-EASTERN GHATS

General
The present survey was combined with the field excursion of IGCP 288 in January
1994, which was led by A.T. RAO, R.S. DIVI and M. YOSHIDA (RAO et aI., 1994). The
survey route covered a traverse crossing six lithotectonic units, viz., Hyderabad Granite,
Peninsular Gneiss/migmatite and the Nellore Schist Belt (Archaean), Pakhal supergroup
and the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (Proterozoic), and Gondwana Sediments including
trap basalt (Mesozoic/Cenozoic). The Visakhapatnam area in the central part of the
Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt was surveyed in some detail subsequent to the IGCP 288
field excursion, the details of which will be reported elsewhere. Nineteen participants
from eight countries joined the survey/excursion. They were from Australia (L. HARRIS,
J. MYERS), Brazil (B.B. BRITO NEVES), Germany (H. PORADA), India (R.S. DIVI, G.S.
GHATAK, B. HARA Prasad, B. MAHABALESWAR, C.S.R. NATH, Rajneesh KUMAR, A.T.
RAO, K. Srinivasa RAO), Japan (Y. TANI, M. YOSHIDA, S. YOSHIKURA), Nigeria (A.C.
AJIBADE), United Kingdom (C.M. BELL) and USA (R. UNRue; S. UNRue). A divergent
group (spreading from Brazil to Australia) such as this was bound to have different
opinions on at least some outcrop features, and lively discussions occasionally became
hot. A field guide book was prepared (RAO et aI., 1994) and distributed to each of the
partIcIpants. In the following section, observations in the field as well as interesting
views by participants will be described.

Field Survey within Dharwar Craton

Hyderabad Granite. At about 15 km east of Hyderabad (Loc. 1, Fig. 12), a small quarry
of biotite granite with very faint foliation was visited. This is a part of the Hyderabad
Granite, which shows extensive distribution in the Dharwar Craton surrounding
134 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

Hyderabad and to the east. This granite is a late-kinematic, S-type granite (Dhana
RAJu et ai., 1983) of ca 2.5 Ga (CRAWFORD, 1969) and is related to the Closepet Granite
cropping out around Bangalore. These granites have been considered to have been
developed by the reworking of earlier crystalline rocks (RADHAKRISHNA, 1989). S.
Yoshikura mentioned that enclaves in this granite may be a kind of "microgranitoid
enclaves" or "mafic magmatic enclaves" and interpreted as being formed by
mixing/mingling of two contrasting type magmas, granitic and basaltic (intrusion and
disruption of basaltic dyke in granitic magma chamber). The foliation of the granite
is shown by sporadic development of thin shear planes trending NW, with steep
dips. The foliation is dragged into parallelism with near N-S striking, dextral ductile
shear zones, along which a fine-grained granitic rock intruded (L. HARRIS).

Peninsular Gneiss/rnigrnatite. At about 8.5 km west of Suryapet (Loc. 2 in Fig. 12),

migmatites composed of biotite gneiss and granitic rocks are developed. Pegmatite with
NW-trending foliation develops in pods and irregular shapes. This pegmatite is
considered to be later than the medium-grained, massive granodioritic facies, which is
the dominant granitic facies in this outcrop; the former cuts folded structures of the
latter. B. MAHABALESWAR considered this migmatite to represent a marginal facies of
the Hyderabad Granite. At Pateru River bridge, about 30 km east of Suryapet (Loc. 3,
Fig. 12), a large outcrop of Peninsular Gneiss is present. The Peninsular Gneiss here
is a gray, granitic gneiss with migmatitic features, having shear zones and mafic and
felsic dykes. The gneiss is composed of coarse-grained aggregates of felsic and mafic
minerals, interspersed in a matrix of more homogeneous, medium-grained gray
gneiss. The gneiss encloses three types of fine-grained mafic enclaves: layererl f,ely
veined, and massive amphibolitic rocks. All three types of enclaves art. elon r Nith
different degrees of development of internal foliation that is either paral1 iant
to the gneissosity outside. The gneiss is cut by two ENE-trending, suo nafic
dykes.

Field Survey surrounding Godavary Valley

Boundary between the Pakhal Supergroup and the Nellore Schist. The
Mesoproterozoic to possibly early Neoproterozoic Pakha1 Supergroup is situated at both
northwestern and southeastern sides of the Godavari Graben. This system was first
recongnized by KING (1881), who correlated it with the Cuddapah System, this correlation
having been maintained since then (Sreenivasa RAo, 1987). The Pakhal supergroup is
composed of various proportions of shale, quartzite/sandstone, dolomite, arkose,
conglomerate and chert, in order of abundance. At the Kinnersani River bed (Loc. 4,
Fig. 12), metasediments of the Mallampali Group, which belongs to the Pakhal
Supergroup, crop out in contact with the Archaean Nellore Schist (Figs. 13A, B). In
the Nel10re Schist, two main lithological units in the NNW-tl'ending belt are pink
quartzo-feJdspathic gneiss in the southeast and gray biotite gneiss in the northwest (Fig.
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastem Peninsular India 135

Fig. 10. (A) BIF bed in amphibolite at Nugu dam in the Sargur belt.
(B) A BIF bed in psammitic schist at the Holenarasipur belt, near Hassan.
136 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

Fig. 11. (A) Folded BIF beds at Mt. Babablldan.

(B) Stromatolite from the Vanivilas Formation In the Chitradurga belt.
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern Peninsular India 137

Be X X X
X X
"
~g ..
De X X , /
/

, , , /

, ,,
,. , , // /

X X , ~g/ " , ,, / /
/

,
X ' " ,
/
/

"1314x15
12
'---Yx-OVIS
X
N
X X ~o

X
Al
0
0-----...
50km
1
Fig. 12. Geologic outline and survey locations of the Hyderabad-Godavari-Visakhapatnam area. Crosses
with numerals are survey locations (the geologic outline is based on Geological Survey of
India, 1973 and RAJEsHAM et al., 1993).
Numbers correspond to the location mentioned in the text. ASH: Ashwaraopet, HYD:
Hyderabad, KAM: Kammam, KRM: Karimnagar, KTG: Kothagudem, RAJ: Rajahmundry,
SUR: Suryapet, VIS: Visakhapatnam, AI: Alluvium, Bg: Bhupalapatanam Granulite Belt, Be:
Baster Craton, Cu: Cuddapah, Dc: Dharwar Craton, EG: Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt, Gl:
Lower Gondwana, Gu: Upper Gondwana, Kg: Karimnagar Granulite Belt, Ns:Nellore Schist
Belt, Pa: Pakhal Supergroup, S: Nepheline syenite.

14A). The suggestion (H. PORADA) that these gneIsses could represent metaryolite and
meta-andesite was strongly refuted by others. The gneiss was affected by two phases
of isoclinal folding and intruded by two phases of pegmatitic veins. Earlier extensive
mylonitization under amphibolite facies grade, and later less-developed zones of
mylonitization under greenschist facies grade were identified. The steeply dipping
Archaean gray gneisses are in vertical contact with Proterozoic quartzite-metaconglomerate,
which is succeeded upwards by phyllite and dolomite. Close to the contact zone,
structures in the Archaean and Proterozoic rocks, including the subvertical elongation
of pebbles in the metaconglomerate and subvertical axes of tight folds in the gray gneisses
are conformable. The deformation which produced a later portion of the mylonitic
foliation in the gniess may be the same which resulted in the vertical elongation of the
pebbles in the conglomerate. Divergent views were expresed to explain the present
structural relationships between the Archaean gneisses and Proterozoic metasediments.
One view (H. PORADA) was that initially the mylonitic foliation in the gneisses was
horizontal and parallel to the Proterozoic conglomerate. Another opinion (R. UNRUG)
was that the structural geometry at the contact zone could be explained by a frontal/lateral
thrust ramp, with a detachment zone in the Archaean rocks.
138 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

The Nellore Schists. The Nellore Schist Belt was first recognized by KING (1980) and
it has been considered to form a part of the greenstone belts (e.g., FERMoR, 1936). This
belt has also been known as the Nel10re Mica Belt (e.g., BABu, 1969), because of
excavation for mica. Radiometric ages from this belt, however, gave only later events,
such as 806 Ma (K-Ar mica from a schist, SARKAR et aZ., 1964), and ca. 1100 Ma
(Pb-Pb mineral isochron from a schist, RAJEsHAM, unpublished); an age of 1490-2100
Ma (pegmatite minerals, BABu, 1974) has also been known. Metamorphic conditions
of the Nellore Schists in the Nellore district were analysed to be 600-700°C and 7-8
kb (BABu, 1970). At an outcrop along the Maredu River side, about 600 m northwest
of Kothagudem (Loc. 5, Fig. 12), biotite gneiss belonging to the Nellore Schists shows
strong deformational structures. The gneiss is associated with amphibolite (of possible
mafic tuff origin) and carbonaceous layers, and is thus considered to have been derived
from a supracrustal sequence (S. YOSHIKURA). H. Porada stated that in the quartz-biotie
schist, S-shaped tectonic clasts occur, which indicate a dextral movement. The biotite
gneiss is thus interpreted as the mylonite which shows refolded folds of the same event
under amphibolite facies conditions. Later folding, possibly under greenschist facies
conditions, caused open foldings and a related axial planar cleavage. Y. TANI noticed
an eye-like structure in the gneiss. The eye structure points to a tube-like structure
and its elongation is parallel to the major mineral lineation; it was considered to represent
a sheath fold. J. MYERS, however, refuted the sheath-fold view and stated that because
of the strong deformational characteristics and refolding evidence of the rock, the small,
closed, elliptical fold pattern could be a refolded fold that had been modified (flattened,
rotated, and elongated) by subsequent deformation.
At a hilly outcrop, 24 km southwest of Kothagudem (Loc. 6, Fig. 12), garnet
amphibolite was observed. The garnet amphibolite is coarse-grained, involving various
amounts of garnet pophyroblasts (Fig. 14B). The growth of the garnet is considered to
have taken place as a metamorphic segregation processes associated with deformation
(B. MAI-IABALESWAR). A.T. RAo pointed out that this garnet amphibolite is a part of a
layered igneous body associated with anorthosite (RAo and RAO, 1986).

Gondwana Sediments and trap basalt. Gondwana Sediments along the Godavari
Valley are composed of Lower (Upper Carboniferous to Lower Jurassic) and Upper
Gondwanas (Middle Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous), which are truncated by the Coastal
Gondwana, mostly composed of the Upper Gondwana sequence (Cretaceous) and trap
basalt. Trap basalt, which is generally referred to the Deccan Traps (Upper Cretacesous
to Paleocene) (RAJU, 1986; LAKSHMINARAYANA et aZ., 1992), occurs near the topmost
horizon of the Coastal· Gondwana. The lower Gondwana Sediments were observed at
a railway cut near Kothagudem (Loc.7, Fig.12). They are composed of coarse sandstone
and conglomerate and belong the Kamti Formation. RB. Brito Neves pointed out a
possibility of development of layer-parallel small thrusts in the conglomerate. This
view, however, was not agreed upon by others. At a quarry in Kateru Village just
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastem Peninsular India 139

north of Rajahmundry (Loc.8, Fig.12), trap basalt is exposed within the upper Gondwana
sediments. G.S. Ghatak stated that from inland boreholes near the eastern coast and
Bengal Basin, and also from floors of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, the
volcanics are found to occur within Mesozoic platformal sediments. He further mentioned
that in the eastern and southern periphery, the peak of effusion was around 50-42 Ma,
which continued till 30 Ma, indicating the northward movement of the Indian plate
over the Heard hotspot. At a quarry near Rajahmundry (Loc. 9, Fig. 12), stratified
white claystones of the Rajahmundry Formation (Pliocene) were observed (Fig.
15A). A.T. RAO mentioned that zircon morphology indicates no igneous parentage for
this rock, but rather, a khondalite parentage.

Field Survey in the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt

Nepheline Syenite. In eastern to southeastern Peninsular India, Precambrian
anorthosite bodies have been reported, particularily in the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt
(RATNAKAR and LEELANANDAM, 1989). These anorthosites are particularily important
in studying the metamorphism of the granulite terrains, as well as imposing constraints
on the tectonothermal history. At a quarry about 14 km north of Ashwaraopet (Lac.
10, Fig. 12), gneissose biotite-nepheline syenite occurs. The gneissosity is distinct, and
tight and gentle folds occur sporadically within the mass. The nepheline syenite gneiss is
intruded by veins of pegmatite which have mostly a cross-cutting relation with the gneiss
(Fig. 15B), but sometimes are conformable with the foliation in the gneiss. According
to R.S. DIVI, the timing of intrusion of the pegmatite is considered to be similar to
that of the pegmatite (syenitic ?) in the Nellore Schist Belt at loco 4, as far as their
relation to the F2 folds in the respective rocks concern.

Charnockites. Charnockites were observed at several outcrops. At Elesvaram Village,

7 km north of Somavaram (Loc. 11, Fig. 12), acid banded charnockite was
observed. Here, a dike of leucocratic pegmatite cuts the charnockite (Fig. 16A). B.B.
Brito Neves stated that the pegmatite cutting across the charnockite contains inclusions
of pseudotackylite along with some other crystals; and that the tabular habit of such
inclusions indicates an extensional phase, resulting in fracturing of the host rocks. At
a roadside outcrop about 8 km northwest from Narisipatnam (Loc. 12, Fig. 12), banded
charnockite of acid to basic composition oJ:curs (Fig. 16B). The rock exhibits dominant
thin banding which is folded, sheared, and dragged in various ways. B. MAHABALEswAR
pointed out that the precursors could be tonalitic rocks with basic sills and dykes
which have been metamorphosed; and that the banding seen in the gneieses may be
related to tectonometamorphic processes, and may not be primary sedimentary
banding. L. HARRIS interpreted the outcrop as follows; the outcrop shows evidence
for: (i) flattening strain resulting in isoclinal to tight folding of an earlier metamorphic
and compositional banding (folds with a shallow plunge); (ii) shear bands at a slight
angle to foliation/axial planes to F1, with consistently dextral sense; (iii) subhorizontal
140 Masaru YOSHIDA et ai.

extension parallel boudinage and open folding of earlier folds due to boudinage; (iv)
late conjugate shear zones cross-cutting previous structures (dextral, sinistral); these are
interpreted as resulting from three events. These were: (1) foliation development; (2)
rotation of structures developed during regional shortening into parallelism with a dextral
transcurrent or transpressional shear zone trending NE-SW, and (3) NW-SE shortening
giving rise to conjugate shear zones. At Aganampudi quarry, about 18 km west of
Visakhapatnam (Loc.13, Fig.12, which was also visited during the last year's survey),
distinctly foliated garnet charnockite was observed. Some of the charnockite show
marked porphyritic textures, having feldspathic material attaining over 10 em in length.

Khondalites surrounding Visakhapatnam. At excellent khondalite outcrops at the

eastern foot of the Kailasa Hill facing the Bay of Bengal in the north of Visakhapatnam City
(Loc. 14, Fig. 12, which was also visited to the last year's survey), three types of
khondalites, which grade into each other, were clearly identified. These are white
pegmatitic facies with sporadic garnet porphyroblasts, banded type with alternating bands
rich/poor in garnet (Figs. 17A, B), and homogeneous type with evenly distributed
garnet. L. HARRIS observed that: the structures here include shear foliation in khondalites;
asymmetry of foliation arround feldspars indicating non-coaxial deformation; possible
reversal of shear sense due to folding at regional scale of this fabric; superposition of
a new cleavage at a slight angle anticlockwise to the dominant foliation; and that an
interesection lineation pitching moderately to steeply east in the foliation reflects the
last structure mentioned above.
Much debate took place on the original nature of khondalite and the reasons for
such high concentration of alumina. B. MAHABALESWAR pointed out that Bowes and
Dash proposed the palaeosol origin of the khondalite. Existence of manganese layers
and manganese garnet in khondalite support this view. H. Porada argued that the
re-deposition of palaeosol may create a great thickness to be equal to the khondalite
sequence.

Leptynites and associated structures surrounding Visakhapatnam. At Madhura-

vada dome, about 16 km northeast of Visakhapatnam (Loc. 15, Fig. 12), a quartz-rich
layer (5 m thick) between the leptynite and khondalite defines a domal structure. It was
suggested (H. PORADA) that this layer might have originated from mylonitization and
could have followed initially subhorizontal thrust planes. According to A.T. RAO,
occurrence of sapphirine with quartz in the leptynite indicates very high (greater than
1000°C) metamorphic temperature. At scattered roadside outcrops about 16 km west of
Visakhapatnam (Loc. 16, Fig. 12), two types offelsic rocks (1eptynite) are observed. Close
to the highway, scattered small outcrops are composed of coarse-grained, locally
porphyritic, white granitic rock exhibiting linear fabric, that plunges moderately southeast;
planar fabric is weak or absent and the rock is practically devoid of mafics. Rocks
occuring away from the highway and close to the railway track are medium-grained,
 Geological Survey III Southern to Eastel'l1 Pel/insular India 141

Fig. 13. (A) Boundary between conglomerate of the Pakhal Supergroup and mylonite of the Nellore
Schists at the Kinnersani River bed (Ioc. 4). A foot on the left of the picture is just on
the unconformity. The boundary is vertical. Note the elongation of pebbles which are
also near-vertical.
(B) Outcrop of the unconformity of Fig. 13A. The major outcrops crossing the river at the
centre are mostly composed of the Mallampali Group of the Pakhal Supergroup, whereas
small outcrops in the river bed at the right are mylonites of the Nellore Schist Belt.
142 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

Fig. 14. (A) The gray mylonite of the Nellore Schist Belt at Kinnersani River bed (Ioc. 4). The
dominant mylonite foliation is cut by a later dextral shear associated with local
mylonitization.
(B) Garnet amphibolite at locality 5. Note the charactersitic occurrence of garnet porphyroblasts.
 Geological Survey ill SOlltlzeTll to EasteTll Pellillsular India 143

Fig. 15. (A) Stratified claystones of the Rajahmundry Formation (Ioc. 9).
(B) Foliated nepheline syenite at locality 10. A dyke of pegmatite cuts and drags the foliation
of the syenite.
144 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

Fig. 16. (A) Banded leucocratic charnockite which is cut by a pegmatite involving numerous fragments
of crystal aggregates and possible pseudotackylite (Ioc. 11).
(B) Banding and folding structures of the banded charnockite at locality 12. These structures
are interpreted as having been derived from strong dextral shears.
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastem Peninsular India 145

Fig. 17. (A) Typical khondalite (banded type) at the foot of the Kailasa Hill, Visakhapatnam (lac. 14).
(B) Participants of the survey at the khondalite outcrop of locality 14.
146 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

quartzo-feldspathic rocks with pink garnet. The rock has linear fabrics defined by
streaks of quartz and feldspars, plunging steeply southeast.

Concluding Remarks
During the present survey, we visited interesting outcrops which will be critical for
the future study of the tectonic development of Precambrian Peninsluar India. The
PakhallNellore boundary near Kothagudem (Loc. 4, Fig. 12), the foliated anorthosite
north of Ashwaraopet (Loc. 10, Fig. 12), banded charnockite near Narsipatnam (Loc. 13,
Fig. 12), and several outcrops of charnockites and khondalite surrounding Visakhapatnam
are extremely important and will be visited again in future studies. Discussions among
international participants provided valuable insights at many outcrops. A view of dextral
shear, stressed by CHETTY and MURTHY (1994), provided enthusiastic discussions while
surveying the Eastern Ghats area.
(M.Y.)

GRANULITE SURVEY IN THE VISAKHAPATNAM AREA

In early January 1994, examination and sample collection of the high-temperature-type

granulite facies metamorphic belt in Visakhapatnam and its vicinity were carried out by
M. ARIMA, in collaboration with A.T. RAO, Andhra University. The aims of this study
are to characterize the geochemical features of the rocks, to determine P-T-t conditions
of metamorphism, and to estimate protoliths for the granulites. This note reports a
summary of the field work and brief description of the collected rock samples.
Although the field investigation focussed mainly on the high- temperature, type
granulite facies metasedimentary rocks (Khondalites), special attempts were also made
in outcrops to examine modes of occurrence of other rock types, such as pyroxene
granulite, charnockite and khondalites, which are closely associated with leptynite.
Extensive sampling was made at the Madhunavada quarry, and more than thirty rock
samples were collected from each locality.
In the Madhunavada quarry, sapphirine-quartz and spinel-quartz assemblages have
been reported from metasedimentary gneisses (RAO, KAMINENI and ARIMA, in prep.).
The granulite facies rocks in the quarry are predominantly fine- to medium-grained
metasedimentary banded gneisses that were extensively deformed. Subordinate amounts
of pyroxene-granulite bands and fine-grained charnockite bands occur in metasedimentary
gneisses. Although the gneisses were extensively deformed, they exhibit clear and sharp
compositional banding consisting of metasedimentary gneisses (khondalite and leptynite),
pyroxene gneiss and charnockite. They are mostly concordant and show sharp
contacts. This feature was apparently inherited from sedimentary precursors. Two
different stages of pegmatite were found in the gneisses.
In the St. Peter Mountain area and the Madvaram quarry, modes of occurrence of
various types of granulite-facies rock are similar to those in the Madhunavada quarry. The
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastern Peninsular India 147

samples collected are now under petrographic and geochemical investigation.

(M.A.)

FIELD OBSERVATION OF KIMBERLITE AND METABASITE

PILLOW LAVA, ANANTAPUR
It was only recently that the fact that a kimberlite mass occurs 10 a particular area
near Chigicherla in the Anantapur district, south India, was confirmed, although it is
said that more than tens of diamonds were collected from this area during the last ten
years. A research group of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been engaged in
field and laboratory work to understand the geology and petrology of the kimberlite
mass. In addition, investigations of geochemistry and age dating are required for the
advancement of our understanding of mantle materials and the origin of this particular
kimbedite mass.
The field survey was conducted by H. SHIRAHATA in collaboration with T. RAJESHAM
of the Geological Survey of India, in January, 1994. Because of much less resistance
to weathering, the landscape of the kimberlite area is quite characteristic; we can see
almost no vegetation, brown soil and flat ground surface. The boundary between the
kimberlite area and the other rock types can be distinguished on the basis of such
characteristics. In the area, kimberlite pipes are found in scattered outcrops. The
pipes appear like reefs in the sea. They are massive masses round in shape and 20
meters or more in diameter; they stand less than 2 m above the ground surface. As
the kimberlite pipes contain diamonds, the pipe has the economical importance. In
fact, about ten diamonds were collected from the area, so far.
At a hill near the Ramagiri area in the Anantapur district, composed of metabasite,
beautiful pillow structure was observed. The metabasite belongs to the Archaean
greenstone belt of Anantapur. Pillow structure displaying various sizes of pillow masses
ranging from several centimeters to 1 m in diameter, were observed. Each pillow mass
has a chilled margin and the space between pillows is filled with basaltic materials and/or
smaller metabasalt pillow masses.
Rock specimens collected during the survey are now being prepared for dating by
Pb-Pb and Sm-Nd methods, and for quantitiative analysis of the constituent elements,
especially trace elements.
(H.S.)

GRANITE, GNEISS AND SCHISTS SURROUNDING NELLORE

In early January 1994, the field work was carried out in areas surrounding Rapur
and Nandalur, west-south-west of Nellore, by H. SHIRAHATA and Y. TANI, in
collaboration with scientists of the Geological Survey of India, including T. RAJESHAM,
and two other members. The aim of this field survey was the collection of rock
specimens for geochronological and geochemical study.
Outcrops of granitic rocks, which composes a part of the early Proterozoic alkalic
148 Masaru YOSHIDA et al.

granitic rocks In the Dharwar Craton, are located at Raviguntapall. This is a

coarse-grained, massive or weakly foliated, porphyritic biotite granite having mafic
enclaves. Plagioclase phenocrysts often show rounded shape and are surrounded by
potash feldspar. Foliation is partly well developed, and in such cases the rounded
phenocrysts mentioned above are not clearly visible. The outcrops composed of
amphibolite facies (?) gneiss were also visited. The compositional banding structures,
which are intensely folded, are the most characteristic planar structure in this gneiss. At
least two generations of folding were identified. The earlier are intrafolial, isoclinal
small folds and the later are close - tight type small folds whose axial surfaces dip
steeply east. Axial plane foliation, composed of biotite, is well developed along the
axial planes of the second folds. The superposition of these small folds show the
Ramsay type-3 interference patterns. Mineral liniations were not observed. A quarry
near Chaganana, where meta basalts belonging to Nellore Schist occur, was visited. The
metabasalt has zeolite minerals in actinolite-hornblende schist. Steeply dipping and
NNW-SSE trending schistosity are well developed, and are folded by NNW-SSE trending
small gentle folds mostly with upright axial surfaces.
Collected samples will be used for Pb-Pb, Sm-Nd, and Rb-Sr isotopic studies and
are scheduled to be analyzed using analytical techniques in a ultra-clean laboratory at
the Muroran Institute of Technology.
(Y.T.)

PRECAMBRIAN CARBONATE ROCKS FROM INDIAN

GRANULITE TERRAINS
The genesIs and evolution of the crust is a combined result of endospheric and
exospheric processes. Traces of these processes are likely to be preserved in
metasedimentaries as well as in the ortho-gneisses/granulites. Carbonate rocks are
important members among metasedimentaries and have long been neglected. With a
view to sampling the carbonate rocks for laboratory studies such as geochemistry,
I visited the Indian Granulite Province with the assistance of the GSI, Tamil Nadu
division, during January and February 1994, and about 70 kg of samples were col-
lected.
Field observations show that the carbonates are highly deformed, displaced and
contain enclaves of paragneisses and charnockites. Several outcrops were surveyed
around Sankaridurg in the Salem district in Tamil Nadu (Pallakapalaiyam, Mangaranga-
palaiyam, Mottaiyanur, Vemmavasala, Alachapalaiyam and Kullamputti). The last two
localities are on the northern boundary of the Cauvery shear zone. The granite pegmatites
cut the carbonate rocks. In the DindigaJ-Anna district, carbonate rocks ocupy a 22-km
long linear belt between Langambaputti and Agyampalaiyam. In this area, the Pandalgudi
and Muvva Venkateshwampuram quarries were visited (in Tulakapatti). A Crescent-
shaped quartzite - carbonate rock belt occurs about 1.5 km NW of Indian Cement
Limited (ICL) cement plant of Sankarinagar in the Tirunelveli district. Sampling
 Geological Survey in Southern to Eastem Peninsular India 149

became difficult in Deogarh, in Orissa state of the Eastern Ghats Granulite Terrains
(EGGT), because the rocks are highly altered and carbonate rocks occur as minor bodies
in charnockites and paragneisses. Non carbonate minerals such as phlogopite, apatite,
graphite, pyrite, clinopyroxene and actinolite were found to occur in the carbonate rocks.
(M.V.R)

CONCLUSION

In the field surveys conducted during 1992 to 1994, several topics to be extensively
studied in future have been identified. Structrual, metamorphic, geochemical and
geochronological studies of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt are the key topics for the
comparison of India with Antarctica. Quite a few reconnaissance studies have, so far,
came out from this area, and the geoscientific data produced by recent advanced techniques
and knowledges are expected. Other interesting topics are: the tectonotheraml history
and geochronology of the Godavari Valley area, including the PakhallNellore Schist
relationship and of the Karimnagar Granulite Belt; tectonic characterization and tectonic
history of the western Dharwar Craton; petrogenesis of the alkali plutons in the
Kerala-Tamilnadu area; petrogenesis of granulites in south India in relation to the
incipient charnockite formation; and the genesis of graphite in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu
terrain. Laboratory studies for all the above topics have begun and some preliminary
results have been generated (e.g., lists of publications as compiled in Gondwana Research
Group, 1993a,b, 1994). Detailed field and laboratory studies of the Eastern Ghats
Mobile Belt and of the eastern Dharwar Craton are expected to start in near future.

Acknowledgements
The field survey was made possible by support extended by the Geological Survey
of India, the Centre for Earth Science Studies, and Andhra University. Scientists in
various institutes and universities throughout I ndia were helpful to us for the field
surveys. In this context we express our deep gratitude to the following scientists: R.
S. DIVl, K. GHATAK, B. MAHABALEswAR, R. MOHAN, U. P. RADHIKA, RADHI D. MENON,
N.P. NATHAN, K.C. RAJASEKHARAN, T. RAJESHAM, A.T. RAO, M. SANTOSH, M.
Satish-KUMAR, K. Srinivasa-RAo and N. S. SWAMY. This paper is a contribution to
the Monbusho International Scientific Research (No. 04041090), to IGCP projects 288,
304, 348, and to the Gondwana Research Group (Osaka).

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