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Petrological and geochemical study of serpentinised peridotites from the southern part of Manipur Ophiolitic Complex, Northeast India

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The southern Manipur Ophiolitic Complex in the Indo-Myanmar Orogenic Belt, Northeast India comprises a set of serpentinised peridotites, pelagic sediments, podiform chromitites with minor mafic and felsic intrusives. Peridotites in the study area suffered various degrees of serpentinisation and also have been highly deformed and metamorphosed. Striations and slickenside surfaces are common features seen in these rocks indicating the effect of faulting or shearing due to tectonic movement. On the basis of mineralogy and modal composition these peridotites have been identified as serpentinised harzburgite, lherzolite, serpentinite with minor wehrlite. The serpentine minerals are mainly lizardite and chrysotile with sub-ordinate antigorite, whereas, pyroxenes are enstatite and diopside. The primary composition of Cr-spinels in these serpentinised peridotites are characterized by low SiO2 (<0.11 wt.%), Fe2O3 (0.02 to 2.32 wt.%), TiO2 (<0.15 wt.%), Cr# (0.13 to 0.23) and high Al# (0.74 to 0.86), Mg# (0.68 to 0.73). Olivine is relatively uniform in composition, ranges from Fo89.64 to Fo90.1. The mineralogical compositions and primary Cr-spinel chemistry of these peridotites are similar to Abyssal peridotites that formed in a mid-ocean ridge setting after low degree of partial melting. Thus, it supports that the mantle peridotites of the Manipur Ophiolitic Complex initially formed in a spreading regime.

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  1. Departments of Geology, D.M. College of Science, Imphal, 795138, Manipur, India

    N. Ibotombi Singh, L. Debala Devi & Th. Yaiphalembi Chanu

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  2. L. Debala Devi
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Ibotombi Singh, N., Debala Devi, L. & Yaiphalembi Chanu, T. Petrological and geochemical study of serpentinised peridotites from the southern part of Manipur Ophiolitic Complex, Northeast India. J Geol Soc India 82, 121–132 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-013-0130-7

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