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Petrological and geochemical characteristics of Marunthurkota syenites from the Kerala khondalite belt, southern India

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

This note reports new occurrences of syenite bodies around Marunthurkota area from the Kerala khondalite belt (KKB). Petrological and geochemical studies suggest that the syenites have a pronounced A-type affinity, metaluminous characteristics with high concentrations of alkalies, Rb, Sr, Zr, and high K2O/Na2O ratio. Miaskitic nature (agpaitic index<1) of syenite suggest involvement of CO2 related phase in their genesis. The petrological characteristics signify crystallization of the rock at shallow levels within the crust. Geochemistry favours mantle origin of the magma and enrichment of Ba and Sr are indicative of involvement of carbonatite melt in the source region. The study envisages the presence of a juvenile CO2 enriched upper mantle below the southern Indian continental crust during the Pan-African time.

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Sreejith, C., Ravindra Kumar, G.R. Petrological and geochemical characteristics of Marunthurkota syenites from the Kerala khondalite belt, southern India. J Geol Soc India 73, 386–392 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-009-0018-8

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