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Imaging of shallow crustal structure using seismic ray trace modelling and tomographic studies along Alampur–Koniki–Ganapeswaram seismic profile in North Cuddapah basin: Regional geodynamic implications

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Abstract

A deep seismic sounding study was carried out along the Alampur–Koniki–Ganapeswaram profile in the northern part of the Cuddapah basin in 1980. Acquired seismic data along this profile have been utilized in deriving crustal seismic structures using two modelling techniques: seismic ray trace modelling and tomographic inversion of first arrival travel time data. In the present study, we compare the results obtained from both these techniques and discuss the advantages of one over the other in the interpretation of the derived seismic model, as well as in the understanding of regional paleo-geodynamics. A major finding of the present study has been the clear identification of a mid-crustal synclinal feature below the Nallamalai basin, which is bounded by a high-velocity layer of 6.20 km/s on either side. This feature possibly represents the change in the metamorphic grade from the granitic–gneissic upper crust to the underlying greenschist facies rocks, similar to that exposed in the Nellore Schist Belt. We also found a prominent floating reflector, which mimics the mid-crustal synclinal feature at a little shallower depth. Tomographic study indicates that the greenschist facies rocks of the Nellore Schist Belt may possibly be protruding underneath the northern part of the Nallamalai basin at a depth of around 4000 m. On its eastern side of the basin, a high velocity (6.2–6.5 km/s) hidden ridge structure (Darsi–Addanki structural high) has been delineated, over which gravity anomalies are distinctively positive. This structure bounded by two major faults is located below the Nellore Schist Belt and Eastern Ghats Belt regions. This possibly corresponds to a collisional feature. It is formed by the coming together of the two continental terrains, east Antarctica and the eastern part of southern India during the Meso-Proterozoic period and may well be the continuation of a similar horst-like feature modelled below the Nellore Schist Belt region, along the Kavali–Udipi seismic profile. Velikonda thrust fault, which demarcates the Nallamalai Fold Belt from the Nellore Schist Belt region in the southern part of the Cuddapah basin, appears absent in the northern part. The crustal seismic structure derived based on the first arrival travel time inversion by ray tracing, clearly delineated compositionally varying stratigraphic layers. Also, shallow subsurface density interfaces and fault structures are well reflected. On the other hand, the major physiographic structural boundaries are better depicted in the tomographic velocity image.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Prof. M Radhakrishna and anonymous reviewers for providing valuable comments and suggestions, which has improved the manuscript enormously. The authors thank Dr V M Tiwari, Director, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, for providing all the facilities to carry out this work and permission to publish. KC thanks the Department of Science and Technology (New Delhi) for the financial support through a project SR/WOS-A/EA-42/2017 (G). We owe our thanks to each person in the DSS field party, who put all their effort to acquire high-quality data. We acknowledge Mrs K Renuka, N Premkumar and Satendra Singh for their assistance.

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  1. CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, 500 007, India

    K Chandrakala, M M Dixit, O P Pandey & B Mandal

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  1. K Chandrakala
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KC: Seismic ray-inversion and interpretation, manuscript writing and compilation; MMD: Seismic tomographic inversion, manuscript writing; OPP: Regional geodynamic studies, overall supervision; BM: Manuscript drafting.

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Correspondence to K Chandrakala.

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Communicated by Munukutla Radhakrishna

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Chandrakala, K., Dixit, M.M., Pandey, O.P. et al. Imaging of shallow crustal structure using seismic ray trace modelling and tomographic studies along Alampur–Koniki–Ganapeswaram seismic profile in North Cuddapah basin: Regional geodynamic implications. J Earth Syst Sci 131, 244 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-022-01997-9

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