Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis and tectonic environment of gabbroic intrusives in the Siang Window of Eastern Himalaya, Northeast India

  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Carbonate and calcareous-quartzite of Miri-Buxa Group in the Siang Window of Eastern Himalaya intruded by mafic rocks of gabbroic affinity. These intrusive rocks are low-Ti tholeiites (Ti/Y = 379−478; Nb/La = 0.99−1.88) and characterized by enriched LILE-LREE, depleted in HFSE with minor REE fractionation [(La/Yb)N = 2.72−3.35)]. Geochemical behaviour of the incompatible trace elements with the rare earth elements abundances indicates their cogenetic nature and their emplacement in a continental rift tectonic environment. The liquidus olivine temperature of these mafic rocks ranges from 1262°C to 1380°C showing a gentle decrease of [Mg] with a steep increase of [Fe]. These charters thus imply that the rocks are either related to the extent of common source or fractionational crystallization of plagioclase and clinopyroxene from a single batch parental magma. Petrogenetic modeling of [Mg]-[Fe] and REE indicates that these mafic intrusives probably derived from a mantle source similar to komatiitic composition at moderate to high degree (8%–20%) of partial melting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acharyya, S.K. (2007) Evolution of the Himalayan Paleogene foreland basin, influence of its litho-packet on the formation of thrust-related domes and windows in the Eastern Himalayas — A review. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v. 31, pp.1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Acharyya, S.K. (1998) Thrust tectonics and evolution of domes and the syntaxis in Eastern Himalaya, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. Nepal, v.18, pp.1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Acharyya, S.K., Mitra, N.D. and Nandy, D.R. (1986) Regional geology and tectonic setting of Northeast India and adjoining region. Mem. Geol. Surv. India Mem., v.119, pp.6–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, T. and Bhatt, I.M. (1987) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Mandi-Darla volcanics, northwestern Himalayas. Precambrian Res., v.37, pp.231–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, T. and Tarney, J. (1991) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Garhwal volcanics: implications for evolution of the north India lithosphere. Precambrian Res., v.50, pp.69–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, T. and Tarney, J. (1994) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of late Archaean Aravalli volcanics, basement enclaves and granitoids, Rajasthan. Precambrian Res., v.65, pp.1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, T., Mukherjee, P.K. and Trivedi, J.R. (1999) Geochemistry of Precambrian mafic magmatic rocks of the Western Himalaya, India; petrogenetic and tectonic implications. Chem. Geol., v.160, pp.103–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arndt, N.T. and Jenner, G.A. (1986) Crustally contaminated komatiites and basalts from Kambalda. Western Australia. Chem. Geol., v.56, pp.229–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Arth, J.G. and Hanson, G.N. (1975). Geochemistry and origin of the early Precambrian crust of northeastern Minnesota. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta., v.39, pp.339–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender, J.F., Langmuir, C.H. and Hanson, G.N. (1984) Petrogenesis of basalt glasses from the Tamayo region, East pacific Risc. Jour. Petrol., v.25, pp.213–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhat, M.I. (1984) Abor volcanics: further evidence for the birth of the Tethys Ocean in the Himalyan segment. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.141, pp.763–775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhat, M.I. and Le Fort, P. (1992) Nd-isotopic study of the late Archaean continental tholeiites, NW lesser Himalayas: a case of ocean island basalt source for continental tholeiites. Jour. Himalayan Geol, v.4(1), pp.1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhat, M.I. and Ahmad, T. (1990) Petrogenesis and the mantle source characteristic of the Abor volcanic rocks, Eastern Himalayans. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.36, pp.227–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhari, N. and Gupta, L.N. (1997) Petrogenesis of the Mandi Gabbroic rocks, Lesser Himalaya, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.50, pp.49–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drury, S.A. (1983) The petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Archaean metavolcanics from Karnataka state, south India. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v.47, pp.317–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, P.A. (1993) Geochemical discrimination and petrogenesis of alkaline basalt sequences in part of the Ankara mélange, Central Turkey. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.150, pp.541–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gautam, P., Upreti, B.N. and Arita, K. (1995) Paleomagnetism and petrochemistry of the Dowar Khola volcanics, Central Nepal Sub Himalaya. Jour. Geol. Soc. Nepal, v.11, pp.179–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gururajan, N.S. and Choudhuri, B.K. (2003) Geology and tectonic history of the Lohit valley, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, India. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.21, pp.731–741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, G. N. and Langmuir, C. H. (1978) Modeling of major element in mantle melt system using trace element approaches. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v.42, pp.725–741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkesworth, C.J., Blake, S., Evans, P., Hughes, R., Macdonald, R., Thomas, L.E., Turner, S.P. and Zellmer, G. (2000) Time scales of crystal fractionation in magma chambers. Integrating physical, isotopic and geochemical perspectives. Jour. Petrol., v.41, pp.991–1006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hergt, J.M., Peate, D.W. and Hawkesworth, C.J. (1991) The petrogenesis of Meozoic Gondwana low Ti flood basalts. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v.105, pp.134–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hollings, P. and Kerrich, R. (2004) Geochemical systematics of tholeiites from the 2.86 Ga pickle crow assemblage, northwestern Ontario: arc basalts with positive and negative Nb-Hf anomalies. Precambrian Res., v.134, pp.1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horan, M.F., Hanson, G.N. and Spencer, K.J. (1987) Pb and Nd isotope and trace elements constraints on the origin of basic rocks in an early proterozoic igneous complex, Minnesota. Precamrian Res., v.37, pp.323–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, T.N. and Baragar, W.R.A. (1971) A guide to the chemical classification of the common volcanic rocks. Can. Jour. Earth Sci., v.8, pp.523–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James, S.D., Pearce, J.A. and Oliver, R.A. (1987). The geochemistry of lower proterozoic Willyama Complex volcanics, Broken Hill block, New South Wales. Geol. Soc. London Spec. Publ., v.33, pp.395–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenner, G.A., Foley, S.F., Jackson, S.E., Green, T.H., Fryer, B.J. and Longerich, H.P. (1993). Determination of partition coefficients for trace elements in high pressure-temperature experimental run products by laser oblation microprobeinductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAM-ICPMS). Geochem. Cosm. Acta, v.57, pp.5099–5130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keppler, H. (1996) Constraints from partitioning experiments on the composition of subduction-zone fluids. Nature, v.380, pp.237–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, G. (1997) Geology of Arunachal Pradesh, Geological Society of India, Bangalore, 217 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafleche, M.R., Dupuy, C. and Bougault, H. (1992) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Archean mafic volcanic rocks of the southern abitibi Belt, Quebec. Precambrian Res., v.57, pp.207–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langmuir, C.H. and Hanson, G.N. (1980) An evaluation of major element heterogeneity in the mantle sources of basalts. Philos. Trans. Royal Soc. London, v.A297 pp.383–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Roex, A P., Dick, H.J.B., Erlank, A.J., Reid, A.M., Frey, F.A. and Hart, S.R. (1983) Geochemistry, mineralogy and petrogenesis of lavas erupted along the south west Indian ridge between the Bouvet triple junction and 11 degrees east. Jour. Petrol., v.24, pp.267–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot, P.C., Hawkesworth, C.J., Hergt, J., Naldrett, A.J., Gorbachev, N S., Fedorenko, V.A. and Doherty, W. (1993) Remobilisation of the continental lithosphere by a mantle plume: major-trace elements and Sr-Nd and Pb- isotope evidence from picritic and tholeiitic lavas of the Noril’sk District, Siberian Trap, Russia. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., v.144, pp.171–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, J.J., Sheth, H.C., Chandrasekharam, D. and Peng, Z.X. (2000) Geochemistry of flood basalts of the Toranmal section, northern Deccan Traps, India: Implications for regional Deccan stratigraphy. Jour. Petrol., v.41, pp.1099–1120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, A., Nakamura, N. and Tanaka, T. (1973) Fine structures of mutually normalized rare earth patterns of chondrites, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v. 37, pp. 239–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mckenzie, D. (1989) Some remarks on the movement of small melt fractions in the mantle. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v.95, pp.53–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mckenzie, D.P. and O’nions, R.K. (1991) Partial melt distributions from inversion of rare earth element concentrations. Jour. Petrol., v.32, pp.1021–1091.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt, R.W., Sun, S.S. and Purvis, A.C. (1979) Komatiites: Geochemistry and genesis. Can. Mineral., v. 17, pp.165–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandey, A. and Kumar, S. (2006) Geochemistry of metavolcanics of Bering region, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya: A clue to Precambrian mafic magmatism in northwestern Himalaya. Indian Jour. Geochem., v.21, pp.185–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, J. A. (1982) Statistical analysis of major element patterns in basalts; Jour. Petrol. v.17, pp. 15–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, J.A. and Gale, D.H. (1977) Identification of ore deposition environment from trace element geochemistry. Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., v.7, pp.14–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peate, D.W., Hawkesworth, C.J. and Mantovani, M.S.M. (1992) Chemical stratigraphy of the Parana lavas (South America): Classification of magma-types and their spatial distribution. Bull., Volcanol., v. 55, pp.119–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajamani, V., Balakrishnan, S. and Hanson, G. N. (1993) Komatiite genesis: insights provided by Mg-Fe exchange equilibria. Jour. Geol., v.101, pp. 809–819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajamani, V., Shirey, S.B. and Hanson, G.N. (1989) Fe-rich Archaean tholeiites derived from melt enriched mantle sources: evidence from the Kolar Schist Belt, South India. Jour. Geol., v.97, pp.487–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajamani. V., Shivkumar, K., Hanson, G.N. and Shirey, S.B. (1985) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of amphibolites, Kolar Schist Belt, South India: evidence for komatiitic magma derived by low percentages of melting of the mantle. Jour. Petrol., v.26, pp.92–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roychowdhury, J. (1984) The Abor group of rocks in Arunachal Pradesh. Rec. Geol. Surv. India, v.113(4), pp.48–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sage, R.P., Lightfoot, P.C. and Doherty, W. (1996) Bomodal cyclical Archean basalts and rhyolites from the Michipicoten (Wawa) greenstone belt, Ontario: geochemical evidence for magma contributions from the asthenospheric mantle and ancient continental lithosphere near the southern margin of the Superior Province. Precambrian Res., v.76, pp.119–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, A.D., Norry, M.J. and Tarney, J. (1988) Origin of MORB and chemically depleted mantle reservoirs: trace element constraints. In: M.A. Menzies and K.G. Cox (Eds.), Oceanic and Continental: Similarities and differences. Jour. Petrol., pp. 415–455.

  • Schilling, J. G. (1966) Rare earth fractionation in Hawaiian volcanic rocks; Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis. Mass. Inst. Tech., (USA: Cambridge MA)

  • Sengupta, S., Acharyya, S.K. and De Smeth, J.B. (1996) Geochemical characteristics of the Abor volcanics, NE Himalaya, India: nature and early Eocene magmatism. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.153, pp.695–704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A.K. (2006) Petrography, Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Abor Volcanics, Eastern Himalayan Syntaxial Bend. Himalayan Geol., v.27(2), pp.163–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S. (1993) Geology and Tectonics of the Eastern syntaxial Bend, Arunachal Himalaya. Jour Himalayan Geol., v.4(2), pp.149–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, R.K. and Sahail, A. (2001) High-Field Strength Element Geochemistry of MaficIntrusive Rocks from the Bhagirathi and Yamuna Valleys, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Gondana Res., v.4(3), pp.455–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, S.S. and Mcdonough, W. F. (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematic of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes, In: A.D. Saunders and M.J. Norry (Eds.) Magmatism in the oceanic basins. Geol. Soc. London Spec. Publ., v.42, pp.313–345.

  • Sun, S.S. and Nesbitt, R.W. (1977) Chemical heterogeneity of the Archaean mantle, composition of the bulk earth and mantle evolution. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v.35, pp.429–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, E. (1986) Melting of dry peridotite Klb1 upto 14Gpa: implications on the origin of peridotite upper mantle. Jour. Geophy. Res., v.91, pp.9367–9382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S.R. and Mclennan, S.M. (1985) The continental crust: Its composition and evolution, Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 312p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thakur, V.C. and Jain, A.K. (1974) Tectonics of eastern region:Indian. Curr. Sci., v.43, pp.783–785.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R.N., Morrison, M.A., Dickin, A.P. and Hendry, G.L. (1983) Continental flood basalts-arachnids rule OK? In: C.J. Hawkesworth and M.J. Norry (Eds.), Continental basalt and mantle xenoliths. Shiva Publ. Nantwich, pp. 158–185.

  • Wadia, D.N. (1931) The syntaxis of Northwest Himalaya: its rocks, tectonics and orogeny. Rec. Geol. Surv. India, v.6, pp.189–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winchester, J.A. and Floyd, P.A. (1977) Geochemical discrimination of different magma series and their differentiation products using immobile elements. Chem. Geol., v.20, pp.325–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, Y., Chung, S.L., Jahn, B. and Wu, G. (2001) Petrologic and geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis of Permian-Triassic Emeishan flood basalts in southwestern China. Lithos, v.558, pp.145–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, 248 001, India

    A. Krishnakanta Singh

Authors
  1. A. Krishnakanta Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Krishnakanta Singh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Singh, A.K. Geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis and tectonic environment of gabbroic intrusives in the Siang Window of Eastern Himalaya, Northeast India. J Geol Soc India 79, 576–588 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0097-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0097-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation