Geochemical Signatures of Gneisses and Granulites of Marthandam, Tamil Nadu, India

Authors

  • J Remya Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695581, India.
  • R S Prasanth Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695581, India.
  • A P Pradeepkumar Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695581, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/

Keywords:

Southern Granulite Terrain, Trivandrum Granulite Block, Incipient charnockite

Abstract

The Southern Granulite Terrain of South India is a collage of high grade granulite blocks and major  transcrustal shear zones. The study area falls in the southern part of the Kerala Khondalite Belt. The area  exposes a series of rocks which comprises of Garnet Biotite Gneiss (GBG), charnockite and pyroxene  granulite along with intrusive syenite. Geochemically the gneisses are peraluminous showing an alkali calcic affinity; while massive charnockites are peralkaline. The gneisses are having numerous patches of  incipient charnockite that are peraluminous in nature. Generally it is inferred that strongly peraluminous  magmas derived from mature pelitic sediments may produce S-type igneous rocks. The gneisses of the area  are not so intensely peraluminous, discounting their being categorized as metapelitic. The source rocks are  intermediate to felsic igneous rocks as well as products of partial melting of metaluminous mafic minerals.  The gneisses of the Nagercoil massif falls in the within plate granite field (WPG) of Nb vs. Y and Rb vs. (Y  + Nb) plot. The present work is an attempt at constraining the geochemistry and tectonic environment of  the gneisses and associated rocks of the Marthandam area. 

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Published

2020-03-25

How to Cite

Remya, J., Prasanth , R.S., & Pradeepkumar, A.P. (2020). Geochemical Signatures of Gneisses and Granulites of Marthandam, Tamil Nadu, India . Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences-Geology , 39(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.48165/