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Geochemistry and petrogenesis of anorogenic(?) granitoids of west Garo Hills, Meghalaya

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The granite in Samingiri — Dilsekgiri area occurs as discordant, isolated pluton within the migmatitic terrain of West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya. The pluton is exposed over 140 sq km (18 km × 8 km). It exhibits structures of solid state and piecemeal stoping effect proximal to the contact and enveloped by a contact metamorphic aureole of albite-epidote-hornfels facies. Modally, it is biotite-monzogranite and biotite-syenogranite with minor biotite, chlorite, epidote and sericite and accessories like zircon, apatite, allanite, pyrite, magnetite and sphene. Geochemically, it is marked by restricted composition (69–76 wt% SiO2), high alkalies, low Ca, metaluminous to strongly peraluminous (Molar Al2O3/CaO+Na2O+K2O = 0.95 − 1.54), high FeO/MgO, high Ga/Al, high contents of Rb, Sr, Ba, Y, Zr and Ce and depleted in Ti and P. The field observation, mineralogical and geochemical aspects indicate the post-tectonic nature of West Garo pluton more like as A-type granite formed by partial melting of lower crustal blocks followed by low to moderate degree of fractional differentiation. Low Ca, alkaline nature and peraluminous character point to A-type nature of West Garo granite significantly different from other granites of Meghalaya Plateau. Rb-Sr age (616±86 Ma) of granite, however, corresponds to widespread Middle to Upper Pan African activity, a thermal event prevailed during Late Proterozoic — Early Palaeozoic (500–800 Ma) period, manifested in the form of several granitic intrusions in the basement gneissic complex and the overlying Proterozoic metasediments of the Shillong Group in Meghalaya Plateau.

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Correspondence to D. K. Choudhury.

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Choudhury, D.K., Pradhan, A.K., Zakaulla, S. et al. Geochemistry and petrogenesis of anorogenic(?) granitoids of west Garo Hills, Meghalaya. J Geol Soc India 80, 276–286 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0138-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0138-4

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