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Identification of significant subsurface geological structural feature using gravity and magnetic survey in parts of Kamrup district, Assam and West Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya

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Abstract

Gravity and magnetic survey have been carried out in parts of the Kamrup district of Assam and the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The objective of the survey is to delineate the subsurface geological structure and identify the mineralization potential zone. Regional-residual separation, radially averaged power spectrum, Euler's depth solutions and 2D-depth model maps mainly have been analyzed for interpretation. High Bouguer anomalies were observed over exposed Assam–Meghalaya gneissic complex (AMGC) rocks whereas low anomalies were observed over quaternary sediments. The general trend of the gravity and magnetic contours are in the NE–SW direction which is also the trend of geological formations, i.e., AMGC and older metamorphic group rocks. Based on Bouguer contours several inferred contact/lineament/faults have been identified. These contact/lineament/faults are very well validated with Euler’s depth solutions and total horizontal gradient of gravity anomaly. Significant high magnetic anomalies have been observed over older metamorphic group rocks and the Assam–Meghalaya gneissic complex. After the correlation with the physical properties of rock samples, geology and interpretation of gravity and magnetic maps, a potential zone has been identified for detailed investigation from a mineralization point of view.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are sincerely thankful to Arkoprovo Biswas, Associate Editor and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions that significantly enhanced the quality of the manuscript. The authors express their sincere gratitude to Shri Mulkh Raj Jarngal, the then Addl. Director General and HOD and Dr J Rajeshwar, the then Dy DG and HOD, GSI, NER, Shillong for providing administrative as well as financial support for the investigation. The authors are very much thankful to Shri Janak Raj, the then Dy DG and RMH-I, GSI, NER, Shillong for their constant support and cooperation in carrying out the survey. They are also extremely thankful to Shri Radhe Shyam, the then Suptdg. Geophysicist and Project Supervisor, Geophysics Division, GSI, NER, Shillong for his active guidance, encouragement and logistic support rendered during the execution of the investigation. The authors are also highly thankful to Petrology Laboratory, GSI, NER for the petrographic study of rock samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of India, Northern Region, Lucknow, 226 024, India

    Ashish Kumar

  2. Geological Survey of India, RSAS, Bangalore, 560 078, India

    Rajesh Kumar

  3. Geological Survey of India, Eastern Region, Kolkata, 700 091, India

    Chandrai Murmu

  4. Department of Geophysics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221 005, UP, India

    Ashish Kumar & Uma Shankar

  5. Geological Survey of India, CHQ, Kolkata, 700 016, India

    Nabendu Majumdar

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  1. Ashish Kumar
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Contributions

Ashish Kumar has collected, processed and interpreted the gravity and magnetic data and wrote the original draft. Rajesh Kumar and Chandrai Murmu have helped in the collection and pre-processing of gravity and magnetic data. Prof Uma Shankar and Dr Nabendu Majumdar have guided in writing, reviewing and editing.

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Correspondence to Ashish Kumar.

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Communicated by Arkoprovo Biswas

Corresponding editor: Arkoprovo Biswas

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Kumar, A., Kumar, R., Murmu, C. et al. Identification of significant subsurface geological structural feature using gravity and magnetic survey in parts of Kamrup district, Assam and West Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya. J Earth Syst Sci 132, 97 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-023-02111-3

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