Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Magmatism in western Cuddapahs: The mafic sills and lava flows of Vempalle and Tadpatri formations

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The western part of Cuddapah basin has been considered as a foreland to the fold-thrust belt represented by eastern Nallamalais and Nellore schist belt. The igneous activities, in the form of lava flows and sills, in western Cuddapahs have been a subject of controversy since tectonogenetic models ranging from a mantle plume to lithospheric extension have been suggested. The present work covers a detailed study of the mafic sills and lava flows of Vempalle and Tadpatri formations in western Cuddapahs, which earlier workers have also noted. A detailed field and laboratory work in this study brings out, for the first time, five distinct petrographic and geochemical varieties of sills. Geochemical studies also suggest that the different sill types have originated from varying degrees of partial melting of a metasomatized subcrustal lithospheric mantle, the metasomatism of source being attributed to older Archaean convergent settings/greenstone belts that the basin unconformably overlies. The possible contribution of any small plume is only heating and doming of overlying mantle that induced incipient crustal rifting. Our geochemical studies on the lava flows of Vempalle Formation also suggest that the magma was derived from small degree of partial melting of spinel-garnet peridotite mantle in a rift setting.

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

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anand, M., Gibson, S. A., Subbarao, K. V., Kelly, S.P. and Dickin, A. P. (2003) Early Proterozoic melt generation process beneath the intracratonic Cuddapah Basin, Southern India. Jour. Petrol., v.44(12), pp.2139–2171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balakrishna, S. (1979) Some recent geophysical studies in the Cuddapah basin, Proceedings of 3rd Workshop on Status,Problems and Programmes in Cuddapah Basin. pp. 22–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyderabad, A.P., Bhaskar Rao, Y. J., Pantulu, G. V. C., Reddy, V. D. and Gopalan, K. (1995) Time of early sedimentation and volcanism in the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, South India: evidence from the Rb-Sr age of Pulivendla mafic sill. In: Devaraju, T.C. (Ed.), Dyke Swarms of Peninsular India. Mem. Geol. Soc. India, v.33, pp.329–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carson, C. J., Boger, S.D., Fanning, C.M., Wilson, C.LJ.L. and Thost, D. (2000) Shrimp U-Pb geochronology from Mt. Kirkby, northern Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica. Antarctic Sci., v.12, pp.429–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalapathi Rao, N. V., Miller, J. A., Gibson, S. A., Pyle, D. M. and Madhavan, V. (1999) Precise 40Ar/39Ar dating of Kotakonda kimberlite and Chelima lamproite, India: implication to the timing of mafic dyke swarm activity in the Eastern Dharwar Craton. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.53, pp.425–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalapathi Rao, N.V., Gibson, S.A., Pyle, D.M. and Dickin, A.P. (2004) Petrogenesis of Proterozoic lamproites and kimberlites from the Cuddapah Basin and Dharwar Craton, Southern India. Jour. Petrol., v.45, pp.907–948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalapathi Rao, N.V., Lehmann, B., Mainkar, D., and Belyatsky, B. (2011) Petrogenesis of the end-Cretaceous diamondiferous Behradih kimberlite pipe, Bastar craton: Implication or mantleplume lithosphere interaction in Central India. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., v.161, pp.721–742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandrakala, K., Pandey, O.P., Mall, D.M. and Sarkar, D. (2010) Seismic signatures of a Proterozoic thermal plume below south western part of Cuddapah Basin, Dharwar Craton. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.76, pp.565–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee, N. and Bhattacharji, S. (2001) Petrology, geochemistry and tectonic settings of the mafic dikes and sills associated with the evolution of the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin of south India. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Earth Planet. Sci.), v.110(4), pp. 433–453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhuri, A.K., Saha, D., Deb, G.K., Patranabis-Deb, S., Mukherjee, M.K. and Ghosh, G. (2002) The Purana Basins of southern cratonic province of India–A case study for Mesoproterozoic fossil rifts. Gondwana Res., v.5, pp.23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Condie, K.C. (2004) Supercontinents and superplume events: distinguishing signals in the geologic record. Physics Earth & Planetary Interiors, v.146. pp.319–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Condie, K.C. (2001) Plumes as tracers of mantle processes. In: Condie, K.C. (Ed.), Mantle Plumes and their Record in Earth History. Cambridge University Press, 162p.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, A.R. and Compston, W. (1973) The age of the Cuddapah and Kurnool systems, Southern India. Jour. Geol. Soc. Australia, v.19, pp.453–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dampare, S. B., Shibata, T., Asiedu, D. K., Osae, S. and Banoengyakubo, B. (2008) Geochemistry of Paleoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks from the southern Ashanti volcanic belt, Ghana: Petrogenetic and tectonic setting implications. Precamb. Res., v.162(3-4), pp.403–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French, J. E., Heaman, L. M., Chacko, T. and Srivastava, R. K. (2008) 1981-1893 Ma Southern Bastar-Cuddapah mafic igneous events, India: a newly recognized large igneous province. Precambrian Res., v.60, pp.308–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, S. A., Thompson, R.N. and Day, J.A. (2006) Timescales and mechanisms of plume-lithosphere interactions: 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and geochemistry of alkaline igneous rocks from Parana-Etendeka Large Igneous Province. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v.251, pp.1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glass, L.M. and Phillips, D. (2006) The Kalkarindji Continental Flood Basalt Province. A new Cambrian Large Igneous Province in Australia with possible links to mass extinction. Geology, v.34(6), pp.461–464.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. and Rai, S.S. (2005) Structure and evolution of south Indian Crust using teleseismic waveform modelling. Himalayan Geol., v.26, pp.109–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzber G, and Zhan G (1996) Melting experiments on anhydrous peridotite Klb-1: Composition of magmas in the upper mantle and transition zone. Jour. Geophys. Res., v.161, pp.8271–8295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horan, M.F., Hanson, G.N. and Spencer, K.J. (1987) Pb and Nd isotope and trace element constraints on the origin, of basic rocks in an Early Proterozoic igneous complex, Minnessota. Precambrian Res., v.37(4), pp.323–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Joy, S., Jelsma, H.A., Preston, R.F. and Kota, S. (2012) Geology and diamond provenance of the Proterozoic Banganapalle conglomerates, Kurnool Group, India. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ. (Dilip Saha and Rajat Mazumder Eds.), v.365, pp.197–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaila K.L. and Tiwari, H. C. (1985): Structural trends in the Cuddapah basin from deep seismic soundings (Dss) and their tectonic implication. Tectonophysics, v.115, pp.69–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaila, K.L., Roy Chowdury, K., Reddy, P. R., Krishna, V. G., Narain, H., Subbotin, S I., Sollogub, V. B., Chekunov, A.V., Kharetchko, G.E., Lezerenko, M.A. and Ilchenko, T. V. (1979) Crustal structure along Kavali-Udipi profile in the Indian Peninsular Shield from deep seismic sounding. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.20, pp.307–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kent, R.W. (1994) Superplumes or supercontinents? Comment, Geology, v.22, pp.1054–1055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kent, R. W., Storey, M. and Saunders, A.D. (1992) Large igneous provinces: Sites of plume impact or plume incubation? Geology, v.20, pp.891–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, R. W., William, R. W. (1872) On the Kadapah and Karnul Formations in the Madras Presidency. Mem. Geol. Surv. India, v.Viii.

  • Lakshminarayan, G., Bhattacharjee, S. and Naidu Rama (2001) Sedimentation and tratigraphic Framework in the Cuddapah Basin,AP. Proc. of the National Seminar Commemorating Dr. M. S. Krishnan Birth Centenary. Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ., v.55(2), pp.31–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, D.H. (1987) Pyroxene thermometry. American Mineralogist, v.68(5-6), pp.477–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahadevan, T.M. (1994) Deep continental structure of India: A review. Mem. Geol. Soc. India, no. 28, 569 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meijerink, A.M.J., Rao, D.P. and Rupke, J. (1984) Stratigraphic and Structural development of the Precambrian Cuddapah basin, S.E. India. Precambrian Res., v.26, pp.57–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mall, D. M., Pandey, O.P., Chandrakala, K. and Reddy, P.R. (2008) Imprints of a Proterozoic tectonothermal anomaly below the 1.1 Ga kimberlitic province of Southwest Cuddapah basin, Dharwar craton (Southern India). Geophys. Jour. Internat., v.172, pp.422–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mallickhar Juna Rao, J., Bhattacharjee, S., Rao, M.N., Hermes, O.D. (1995) 40Ar-39Ar ages and geochemical characteristics of dolerite dykes around the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin, South India. Mem. Geol. Soc. India, v.33, pp.307–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matin, A. (2014) Tectonics in the Cuddapah Fold Thrust Belt in the Indian shield, Andhra Pradesh, India and its implication on the crustal amalgamation of India and Rayner craton of Antarctica during Neoproterozoic. Internat. Jour. Earth Sci., v.103, pp.7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijerink, A.M.J., Rao, D.P. and Rupke, J. (1984) Stratigraphic and Structural development of the Precambrian Cuddapah Basin, Seindia. Precambrian Res., v. 26, pp.57–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mezger, K. and Cosca, M.A. (1999) The thermal history of the Eastern Ghats belt (India) as revealed by U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar dating of metamorphic and magmatic minerals: Implications for the Sweat correlation. Precamb. Res., v.94, pp.251–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohanty, S. (2011) Palaeoproterozoic assembly of the Napier Complex, Southern India and Western Australia: implications for the evolution of the Cuddapah basin. Gondwana Res., v.20, pp.344–361.doi:10.1016/j.gr.2011.03.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murthy, Y.G.K., Babu Rao, V., Guptasarma, D., Rao, J.M., Rao, M.N. and Bhattacharji, S. (1987) Tectonic, petrochemical and geophysical studies of mafic dike swarms around the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, South India. In: H.C. Halls, and W.F. Fahrig (Eds.), Mafic dyke swarms. Geol. Assoc. Canada Spec. Paper, v.34, pp.303–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagaraja Rao, B. K., Rajukar, S.T., Ramalingaswamy, G. and Ravindra Babu, B. (1987) Stratigraphy, structure and evolution of Cuddapah Basin. In: Purana Basins of Peninsular India. Mem. Geol. Soc. India, no.6, pp.33–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayanaswami, S. (1966) Tectonics of the Cuddapah basin. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.7, pp.33–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nimis and Ulmer (1998) Clinopyroxene geobarometer of magmatic rocks. Part 1: An experimental structural geobarmeter for anhydrous and hydrous basic and ultrabasic systems. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., v.133, no.1-2, pp.125–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Padmakumari, V.M. and Dayal, A.M. (1987) Geochronological studies of some mafic dykes around the Cuddapah Basin, South India. Mem. Geol. Soc. India, no.6, pp.369–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perfit, M.R. and Davidson, J. P. (2000) Plate tectonics and volcanism, In: Sigurdson, H. et al (Eds.), Encyclopedia of volcanoes: Academic Press, San Diego, pp.89–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rai, S.S., Priestly, K., Suryaprakasan, K., Srinagesh, D., Gaur, V.K., ZU, Z. (2003) Crustal shear velocity structure of south Indian shield. Jour. Geophys. Res., v.108, B2, pp.2088,dio: 10.1029/2002JB001776.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, P.R., Chandrakala, K. & Sridhar, A.R. (2000): Crustal velocity structure of the Dharwar craton, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.55, pp.381–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, P.R., Chandrakala, K., Prasad, A.S.S.S.R.S. and Rama Rao, CH., (2004) Lateral and vertical crustal velocity and density variations in the Swcuddapah basin and adjoining eastern Dharwar craton, Curr. Sci., v.87, pp.1607–1614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D. (1994) Fold-Fault structures of the Nallamalai range, Diguvametta-Nandi Ka Nama Pass, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, South India. Indian Jour. Geol., v.66, pp.203–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D. (2002) Multi-Stage Deformation in the Nallamalai Fold Belt, Cuddapah Basin, South India-Implications for Mesoproterozoic Tectonisrn Along Southeastern Margin of India. Gondwana Res., v.5(3), pp.701–719.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D. (2004) Structural Asymmetry and Plate Tectonic Set-up for a Proterozoic Fold-and-Thrust Belt: Nallamalai Fold Belt and Adjoining Terrane, South India. Geol. Surv. India Spec. Publ., no.84, pp.101–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D. and Chakraborty, S. (2003): Deformation Pattern in the Kurnool and Nallarnalai Groups in the Northeastern Part (Palnad Area) of the Cuddapah Basin, South India and its Implication on Rodinia/Gondwana Tectonics. Gondwana Res., v.6, pp.573–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D. and Chakraborty, S. (2007) Advective heat transfer and fabric development in a shallow crustal intrusive granite–the case of Proterozoic Vellaturu granite, south India. Jour. Earth Syst. Sci., v.116, no.5, pp.433–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D., Chakraborty, S. and Tripathy, V. (2010) Intracontinental Thrusts and Inclined Transpression along Eastern Margin of the East Dharwar Craton, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.75, pp.323–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saha, D., Ghosh, G., Chakraborty, A.K., and Chakraborty, S. (2009) Comparable Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences in Palnad and Kurnool subbasins and their palaeogeographic and tectonic implications. Indian Jour. Geol., v.78, pp. 175–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar, D., Chandrakala, K., Padmavathi Devi, P., Sridhar, A.R., Sain, K. and Reddy, P.R. (2001) Crustal velocity structure of western Dharwar craton, South India. Jour. Geodyn., v.31, pp. 227–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, G., Turcotte, D.L. and Olson, P. (2001) Mantle Convection in the Earth and Planets. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, S.N. and Narasimha Rao, C.H. (1967) Igneous activity in Cuddapah Basin and adjascent areas and suggestions on the petrography of the basin. Symposium on Upper Mantle Project. Ngri, pp.49–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sesha Sai, V.V. and Reddy, U.V.B. (2008) Occurrence of volcaniclastic conglomerate in Upper Part of Vempalle Formation in Lingala-Kuppalpalle section, Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh–Field Evidence for first major phase of igneous activity in the Proterozoic Cuddalah Basin. Abstract volume of 1st A.P. Science Congress, Hyderabad, p.42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sesha Sai, V.V. (2011) Petrology and Mineral Chemistry of Picrite Sill from Peddakudala-Velpula Area, in Southwestern Part of the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Dyke Swarms: Keys for Geodynamic Interpretation. pp.115–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sesha Sai, V.V. (2014) Pyroclastic volcanism in Papaghni Subbasin, Andhra Pradesh: Significant Palaeoproterozoic Tectonomagmatic Event in Swpart of Cuddapah Basin, Eastern Dharwar Craton. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.83, pp.355–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A.P., Kumar, A.P., Niraj A.P. and Singh, A.P., Bijendra, A.P. (2004) Magmatic underplating beneath the Rajmahal Traps: gravity signature and derived 3-D configuration, Proc. Indian Acad. Soc. (Earth Planet. Sci.), v.113, pp.759–769.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srikantia, S.V. (1984) Kuppalapalle volcanics–a distinct upper Papaghni volcanic activity in the Cuddapah basin. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.25(12), pp.775–779.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tewari, H.C. and Rao, V.K. (1987) A high velocity Intrusive Body in the Upper Crust in the Southwestern Cuddapah Basin as delineated by Deep Seismic Sounding and Gravity modelling. In: Purana Basins of Peninsular India. Mem. Geol. Soc. India, no.6.

  • Thyagarajan, K. (1964) Kadapah and Kurnul Formations, Andhra Pradesh, India. 22nd sessionof International Geol. Congress, part X, New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter MR, Veevers, JJ, Calver CR and Grey K, (1995). Neoproterozoic stratigraphy of the Centralian Superbasin, Australia. Precambrian Res., v.73, pp.173–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J.T. (1963) Evidence from islands on the spreading of the ocean floor. Nature, v.197, pp.536–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winchester, J.A. and Floyd, P.A. (1976) Geochemical magma type discrimination: application to altered and metamorphosed basic igneous rocks. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett, v.28, pp.459–469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zachariah, J.K., Bhaskar Rao, Y. J., Srinivasan, R. and Gopalan, K. (1999) Pb, Sr and Nd isotope systematic of uranium mineralized stromatolitic dolomites from Proterozoic Cuddapah Supergroup, S. India: constrains on age and provenance. Chemical Geol., v.162, pp.49–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D-P. (2004), Global tomographic images of mantle plumes and subducting slabs: insight into deep Earth dynamics. Physics Earth Planet. Interiors, v.146, pp.3–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of India, Central Head Quarters, Kolkata, 700016, India

    Kasturi Chakraborty, P. K. Mukhopadhyay & Praveer Pankaj

Authors
  1. Kasturi Chakraborty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. K. Mukhopadhyay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Praveer Pankaj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kasturi Chakraborty.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chakraborty, K., Mukhopadhyay, P.K. & Pankaj, P. Magmatism in western Cuddapahs: The mafic sills and lava flows of Vempalle and Tadpatri formations. J Geol Soc India 87, 631–660 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0438-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0438-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation