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Tectonic framework of Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt: an overview

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 TECTONIC
MEMOIR
FRAMEWORK
GEOLOGICAL
OF EASTERN
SOCIETYGHATS
OF INDIA
MOBILE BELT 63
No. 74, 2008, pp. 63 - 87

Tectonic Framework of Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt :

An Overview

J.K. NANDA
Geological Survey of India, Unit-8, Nuapalli, Bhubaneswar -751 012
(E-mail: jknanda_gsi@yahoo.com)

ABSTRACT
Deciphering the tectonic evolution of Proterozoic Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt
(EGMB) is important in the context of modelling the reconstruction of Rodinia and
other ancient supercontinents. The polyphase intense ductile deformation in the
belt and consequent development of major shear zones, a pervasive strong fabric,
regional granulite facies metamorphism locally reaching up to UHT conditions and
generation of migmatites is a reflection of its complex tectono metamorphic history.
The causative multiple orogenic movements range in age from late Archaean to early
Phanerozoic. A general gravity high over the belt and a steep gravity gradient across
its boundary with the adjoining Bastar and Singhbhum cratons is one of its
characteristic features. Detailed study of meso- to microscopic structural features,
thermobarometric estimates and precise dating of tectonic events is limited to only
a few sectors. The mobile belt is regarded as a composite high-grade terrane with
many subterranes or domains of different geologic and tectonic history which are
separated from each other by tectonic boundaries. Major ductile shear zones were
described from the western boundary and from within the belt.
Recurrent alkaline magmatism during 1500-500 Ma represented by miaskitic
nepheline syenite along the western and northern margin of EGMB has been used as
evidence of a rift setting and operation of Wilson cycle. The girdle joining the sites
of deformed alkaline rocks is inferred to be a Precambrian suture zone with surface
manifestation of a terrane boundary shear zone and a westerly verging thrust /
nappe in some segments. Recent work on the northwestern boundary suggests that
EGMB was thrust into juxtaposition with the upper crustal rocks of Bastar craton and
the structural evidences are in support of a hot over cold thrusting process. Some
authors consider that the terrane boundary shear zones have resulted from oblique
transpressional collison of EGMB with the Bastar and Singhbhum cratonic blocks.
They argue that the early structures are subvertical resulting from a homogenous E-
W compression. Others suggest a thrust and collision related horizontal tectonics
followed by strike-slip movements to be responsible for the deformation in the belt.
The NW-SE trending Godavari graben and the WNW-ESE trending Mahanadi graben
with characteristic geophysical signatures are prominent features which transect
64 J.K. NANDA

the mobile belt. The Godavari graben may represent the failed arm of a rift system,
but the Mahanadi graben appears to have formed through a two-stage rifting in Late
Permian to Middle Triassic and evolved parallel to the rifting of Lambert graben in
East Antarctica.
Recent work suggests that the internal segmentation and structural configuration
of the EGMB and its cratonic forelands occurred during late Neoproterozoic-Early
Phanerozoic times. Some workers opine that the recorded pervasive high-grade
metamorphism in the EGMB and the Rayner Province may be the result of a part of
the Grenvillian collision. However, a part of the pan-African shear zones between the
EGMB and the Archean cratons of India and at Prydz Bay and south of the Rayner
Block may record the early Palaeozoic assembly.
Keywords : Eastern Ghats mobile belt, Rodinia,Granite metamorphism, Proterozoic,
Cratonic blocks.

INTRODUCTION
The Proterozoic Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) bordering the Archaean Dharwar,
Bastar and Singhbhum cratonic blocks is an important Precambrian geological entity of
Peninsular India known for its key position in models of reconstruction of Columbia,
Rodinia and Gondwana. Its polyphase (i) intense ductile deformation, regional granulite
facies metamorphism locally reaching up to ultra-high temperature (UHT) conditions and
generation of migmatites and (ii) magmatic events including multiple phases of emplacement
of alkaline and anorthosite-charnockite-mangerite complexes have been documented in
various discrete segments or sections by several authors in the last two decades. Major
tectonic, metamorphic and magmatic events range in age from Palaeoproterozoic to
Neoproterozoic - early Palaeozoic (Simmat and Raith, 2008), though occurrences of vestiges
of Archaean crust have also been indicated in Grew and Manton (1986), Mezger and Cosca
(1999) and Bhattacharya et al., (2001).
Gupta (2004) provided a summarised account of the Precambrian tectonic processes,
events and the presently understood tectonic framework of EGMB based on studies in
discrete parts or segments of the belt by various workers. The perspectives of different
workers range from geophysical observations and indirect imaging on one hand, to study
of satellite imageries on the other . Information on meso- to microscopic structural features
and thermobarometric estimates are available from limited sectors and a few discrete
localities. Some of the important sectors are: (1) the Badrama-Angul-Rengali-Bhuban-
Jenapur-Chadeidhara sector in the northern margin bordering Singhbhum craton (Halden
et al., 1982; Aftalion et al., 1988; Mahalik, 1994; Crowe et al., 2001, 2003; Bhattacharya
et al., 2001; Gupta et al, 2003; Sarkar et al., 2007), (2) Dharamgarh-Deobhog (Gupta et
al., 2000; Bhadra et al., 2004) and Sinapalli-Khariar-Paikmal sectors (Nanda et al., 2000;
Biswal et al.; 2007; Bhattacharya, 1997, 2003; Das et al., 2008) in the NW marginal part
bordering the Bastar craton, (3) Paderu - Anakapalli - Visakhapatnam- Salur - Vizianagaram
(Natarajan and Nanda, 1981; Sengupta et al.,1990; Dasgupta, et al., 1994; Mukhopadhyay
and Bhattacharya, 1997; Tani et al., 1998; Rickers et al., 2001a) in the east-central part,
(4) Kondapalli-Pangidi-Chimalpahad (Nanda and Natarajan, 1980; Leelanandam and
Narasimha Reddy, 1998; Sengupta et al.,1999; Dharma Rao et al., 2004) region in the
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 65

southern part, and (5) Rayagada (Shaw et al., 1997) and Chilka Lake (Sen et al., 1995;
Dobmeir and Simmat, 2002; Chatterjee et al., 2008) sectors in the eastern part. Precise
dating of tectonic events covering all the provinces, domains and sectors in the belt is
rather, insufficient.

HETEROGENEITY OF EGMB
Available information on the geological and tectonic settings in different sectors
and segments in EGMB suggest it to be a composite orogenic belt comprising several
'lithozones', 'provinces' or 'domains that are characterised by distinct geological histories
and separated from each other by tectonic boundaries. Nanda and Pati (1989), and
Ramakrishnan et al., (1998) recognised a lithozonation in the belt based on the distribution
of dominant litho-groups/suites. These zones are: western charnockite zone (WCZ), western
khondalite zone (WKZ), central charnockite-migmatite zone (CMZ) and eastern khondalite
zone (EKZ). WCZ is broadly similar to the 'basal charnockite zone' of Narayanaswami (1975).
WCZ is separated from the adjoining cratons by a 'Transition Zone'. The CMZ is characterised
by a magnetic low compared to adjoining zones dominated by khondalite. The boundaries
between these zones in many segments are marked by major regional shear zones eg., the
Sileru shear zone between WCZ and WKZ. Ramakrishnan et al., (1998) opined that the WCZ,
a well identified Archaean entity could be the exhumed root zone of the adjoining cratonic
block (see also Leelanandam et al., 2006). Gupta (2004) opines that it could be an Archaean
block amalgamated with the cratonic fringe far earlier than the rest of EGMB. Das et al.,
(2008) consider the Archaean WCZ and rest of the belt as two disparate blocks. The
significance of the longitudinal lithozones has been investigated by several workers (Kovach
et al, 2001; Rickers et al., 2001; Dobmeir and Raith, 2003; Simmat and Raith, 2008).
Mahalik (1994) observed two distinct litho-assemblages within the northern part of
EGMB bordering the Singhbhum craton. These are: (1) Rengali assemblage, dominated by
fibrolite bearing quartzite, garnet-biotite schist and locally charnockitised.
From interpretation of Landsat TM imageries and available field and isotopic data
Nash et al., (1996) recognised a collage of lithostructural 'domains' in the northern EGMB
and the adjoining southern part of the Singhbhum cratonic block in Orissa. These domains
display distinctive internal structures and are bounded by shear zones and faults. Chetty
(2007) also observed that the E-W trending northern EGMB, is a composite terrane of
high-grade metamorphic rocks, bounded by the Northern Boundary Shear Zone (NBSZ) in
the north and the Mahanadi Shear Zone in the south. The deep crustal section was internally
reorganized, uplifted and overthrusted on to the Singhbhum craton from south. He recorded
four distinct lithostructural domains in this terrane displaying distinctive internal structures
with widely varying strain partitioning and separated by major ductile shear zones,
suggesting differences in geological evolution, strain partitioning and separated by major
ductile shear zones, similar to the observation of Nash et al., (1996). These are (from
north to south): (1) 2.8 Ga Rengali high-grade assemblage north of the NBSZ,
66 J.K. NANDA

(2) Angul migmatitic assemblage and (3) Tikarapara pelitic assemblages lying between
the NBSZ and Mahanadi shear zone, and (4) Daspalla gneissic domain to the south of
Mahanadi shear zone. He interpreted a N-S structural cross section across this composite
terrane as a crustal-scale 'flower structure'.
Sengpta et al., (1999) inferred a pre-Grenvillian granulite facies metamorphism and a
localised Grenvillian thermal overprint south of the Godavari rift in EGMB unlike the
northern EGMB where Grenvillian granulite facies metamorphism is a pervasive phenomenon.
Bhattacharya and Gupta (2001) observed distinct differences in the deformational and
metamorphic history of the granulites of EGMB, north and south of Godavari graben. They
argued that the late Proterozoic/Pan-African granulites in the Eastern Ghats belt north of
the Godavari rift, are unlikely to be reworked equivalents of any older granulitic crust, as
is the case of the ~1.6 Ga granulites south of the rift. Instead, the temporally disparate
sectors may represent different crustal segments with unconnected pre-amalgamation
tectonic history.
Chetty (2001) considered EGMB to be a collage of several juxtaposed terranes separated
by major shear zones. These are characterised by stretching lineations and internal
homogeneity in terms of lithopackage and tectonic history. Rickers et al., (2001) carried
out a systematic isotopic study over the belt to discriminate between juvenile and reworked
crustal material. Based on Nd- model ages they distinguished 4 domains which partly υ
coincide with the lithozones of Ramakrishnan et al., (1998). They inferred that lithotypes
of the belt are reworked products of Archaean to Mid-Proterozoic crust with minor addition
of juvenile material during the Grenvillian orogeny. Mezger and Cosca (1999) carried out
extensive studies involving U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar age determination of a variety of minerals
to date different thermal events in EGMB. Their work suggests that during a major Grenvillian
orogeny around 1Ga granulite facies conditions were attained in the central and eastern
parts of EGMB but not in the WCZ to the south of Godavari rift. They inferred a major
tectonic discontinuity between WCZ and rest of the EGMB. The work of Rickers et al.,
(2001) and Mezger and Cosca (1999) provided supporting evidence for considering the
belt as a heterogenous one.
Dobmeir and Raith (2003) proposed a classification of EGMB and the adjoining regions
of lower metamorphic grade into four 'Provinces' based on integrated structural,
metamorphic and geochronologic information. These are the (1) Jeypore, (2) Rengali, (3)
Krishna and (4) Eastern Ghats Provinces. A 'Province" was defined as a crustal segment
with a distinct geological history. Provinces are further subdivided into 'domains" based
on lithology, structure and metamorphic grade, comparable with observations of Nash et
al., (1996). Simmat and Raith (2008) could further elucidate the complex
tectonometamorphic history involving multiple phases of deformation, metamorphism
and melting in different provinces and domains described by Dobmeir and Raith (2003)
based on U-Th-Pb monazite geochronometry.
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 67

GEOPHYSICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF DEEPER STRUCTURES

Subrahmanyam and Verma (1986) observed a general gravity high over the belt and a
steep gravity gradient across its boundary with the adjoining Bastar and Dharwar cratons
and attributed them to a possible high density material lying below EGMB. Nayak et al.,
(1998) advocate a multilayered crust below EGMB and invoked a low angle thrust in the
crust, emplacement of basic (?) magmatic units into the lower crust and presence of
granites and syenites along the vertically faulted margins. Mita Rajaram and Anand (2003),
using the analytic signal and Euler deconvolution of the aeromagnetic data, brought out
subsurface structure of the region in relation to broad tectonic elements. According to
them, the Sukinda thrust, (which was considered by many workers at least in part to mark
the northern margin of EGMB) merges with the Tan shear to demarcate the edge of the
Bastar and Eastern Ghats blocks by a shear that extends for approximately 1000 km in
length which they named as the 'Main Peninsular shear'. Niraj Kumar et al., (2004) inferred
a paired gravity anomaly structure with a relative gravity high over the belt and low over
the adjoining cratons. They interpreted an E-dipping crustal column and a thick (38-
40km) crust under the adjoining older cratons, and upthrusting of EGMB on to the cratons
to the west. Radhakrishna Murthy et al., (2005), based on Bouguer anomaly profiling
demarcated two gravity highs and two gravity lows along the trend of the EGMB and
linked them to faulted nature of the Moho developing graben/graben-horst like structures
υ′ below Bastar craton and EGMB. Kumar et al. (2007) suggested that thermal models of the
present-day EGB crust are indicative of Moho temperature of ~ 550°C, and the estimated
radio element concentrations and heat production in the northern segment of the Eastern
Ghats Belt are the highest amongst the granulite belts of India.

DEFORMATION AND METAMORPHISM

Most authors have recorded evidences in support of multiple phases of ductile
deformation related to major tectonic movements in EGMB. A strong linearity of the belt,
broad parallelism between major shear zones, lithocontacts and sites of major intrusive
bodies besides a strong pervasive fabric over the whole belt is observed (Narayanaswami,
1975; Bose, 1979; Naqvi and Rogers; 1987). An intense granulite facies metamorphism has
obliterated part of the early fabric. Sapphirine bearing assemblages in high Mg-Al granulites
have been studied in Anantagiri, Anakapalle, Paderu, Kakanuru, Chilka Lake, Junagarh, Deobhog
and many other localities and incidence of UHT metamorphism was documented by different
authors. Dasgupta and Sengupta (2006) observed that in EGMB, high Mg-Al granulites and
calc-silicate granulites provide evidence for UHT metamorphism (ca. 1000°C) at moderate
pressures (9-10 kbar) but lack of proper geochronological data prevents the dating of this
extreme metamorphism. They further suggest that following peak metamorphism, the rocks
firstly experienced near-isobaric cooling followed by near-isothermal decompression and
non-extensional lithospheric thinning and/or heat input from basic/enderbitic magma are
the causes of such UHT metamorphism on an anticlockwise path in this belt.
68 J.K. NANDA

In general, alkaline magmatism was attributed to rift-related tectonics (Leelanandam,

1993) and generation and emplacement of anorthosite-mangerite-ferrodiorite complexes
to crustal thickening. Chetty and Murthy (1994) proposed an early collisional regime and
suggested that granulite metamorphism was achieved by thrusting and thrust stacking.
However, based on evidence of subvertical early foliation and reclined folds, Bhattacharya
(1997) argued for homogeneous shortening rather than thrusting as the cause of granulite
facies metamorphism in EGMB. Salient observations of various groups of authors on
correlation of sequences of deformation, metamorphism and melting elucidated in a few
well studied sectors in the belt are briefly presented in the following paragraphs, for an
appreciation of the complex Precambrian tectonic history in EGMB.

Angul Sector
This space is an important sector in the northern fringe region of EGMB (Fig.-1) south
of the Rengali Preovince of Dobmeier and Raith, (2003). Early major work was carried out
by Halden et al., 1982), Park and Dash (1984) and Aftalion et al., (1988). Three major
phases of deformation were identified in the migmatitic gneisses by Aftalion et al., (1988).
They suggested that the palaeosome retains features namely, development of isoclinal
folds and axial planar foliation, strong metamorphic differentiation fabric (S1) related to
the earliest granulite facies event (D1-M1). Repeated phases of neosome development took
place during D2 and D3 under amphibolite to granulite facies. D2 is also characterized by
asymmetrical isoclinal folds and axial planar foliation (S2). Augen gneisses formed between
D1 and D2, grey quartzo-feldspathic gneisses between D2 and D3, and leptynites formed
during D3. D3 is related to open-tight upright folds and localised axial planar fabric S3.
A late deformation (Dlate) manifests as open folds, kink bands and fractures during which
local charnockitisation and emplacement of granitic pegmatites took place. Grey gneisses
and augen gneisses formed during a 1100-1150 Ma compressional tectonism and reactivation
of the basement, and charnockite formation was linked to an extensional tectonic regime
that was dated at ~950 Ma (Aftalion et al., 1988). Granite pegmatite was dated at ~850
Ma (Halden et al. 1982).
Gupta et al., (2003) deciphered that the metamorphic segregation banding (S1) formed
during D1 deformation was transposed during D2 deformation event comprising isoclinal
folding and coaxial open refolding. Leucosome development accompanied D1 deformation
(M1 melts), the interval between D2 and D3 deformations and D4 - shearing (M3 melts).
Based on fluid inclusion studies they inferred a rapid tectonically -driven exhumation
following M3 melting.
Sarkar et al., (2007) interpreted that the (M1) granulite facies metamorphism (7-8
kbar, >760°C) at 960-930 Ma outlasted D1 fabric formation, and D2 isoclinal folding and
shearing. N-S trending mafic dykes and N-S trending, west-dipping shear zones accompanied
D3 extension along the northern margin of EGMB. Syn-D3 cooling and decompression caused
garnet breakdown in mafic granulites. Granite and pegmatite emplacement at c. 850 Ma
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 69

accompanied uplift on E-W trending, subvertical D4 shear planes. Top-to-the-south thrusting

on WNW-ESE trending, north-dipping D5 shears resulted in regional-scale fabric
reorientation. During M2 amphibolite facies metamorphism (5.5 kbar, 630°C) at c. 700 Ma
following D5, garnet reformed in mafic granulites, and stabilized within syn-D3 mafic
dykes and syn-D4 granites. They suggested that the area in the terrane margin experienced
heterogeneous strain accommodation during mid-crustal deformation and heating, loading
and uplift during the first tectonic cycle. This was followed by renewed burial during a
subsequent orogeny.

Chadeidhara-Jenapur sector
This sector is close to the eastern segment of the northern contact zone of EGMB with
the Singhbhum craton (Fig.-1) and comprises khondalite, charnockite and leptynite with
patchy charnockite. These are disposed broadly with E-W trend nearly parallel to the
contact zone. The granulites in the contact zone exhibit small scale discrete shear zones
characterized by mylonites and ultramylonites and localized veinlets of pseudotachylite
traversing the mylonite. Large bodies and mappable patches of migmatitic charnockite
traversed by metamorphosed mafic dykes occur within this zone which can be considered
equivalent to the WCZ. These migmatitic charnockites in Bhuban, Chandar and nearby
areas grade into granites produced by hydration and K-metasomatism of charno-enderbite.
Bhattacharya et al., (2001) suggested an early phase of granulite facies metamorphism for
this sector during an Archaean (~3.0 Ga) compressional event with a normal crustal thickness
(~35km), under horizontal shortening. Kar (2001) argues based on differences in fabric
and other structural elements in patchy charnockite and host leptynite, that these could
be genetically unrelated. Kar (2008) recorded evidences of which the first two (D1 and D2)
are stronger ones. D1 is related to isoclinal, reclined folds (F1) and pervasive fabric S1.
Bhattacharya et al., (2001) argues that these rootless isoclinal F1 folds with a subvertical
axial planar foliation S1 indicate major crustal shortening. D2 is related to upright folds
(F2) with gentle easterly plunges and pervasive fabric S2. F2 is polyclinal and non-cylindrical
prior to F3. Kar (2008) attributes the early deformation (D1 - F1) to the ~3000Ma granulite
facies metamorphism inferred by Bhattacharya et al., (2001) and the second deformation
(D2 - F2) to a Grenvillian event, thereby envisaging a hiatus of nearly 2000 Ma between the
two granulite facies tectono-metamorphic events.

Chilka Lake region

Chilka Lake region located in the eastern margin of EGMB bordering Bay of Bengal
(Fig.-1) is known for one of the largest massif-type anorthosite complexes in India which
has been emplaced in a litho - package comprising quartzite, metapelite (khondalite),
calc-granulite, charno-enderbite, mafic granulite and migmatitic granite. Sen et al., (1995)
reported that the earliest deformational fabric (S1) is mainly preserved in metapelites and
the subsequent foliation (S2) in leptynites. S1 shows transposition to S2 to varying degree.
70 J.K. NANDA

According to these authors, anorthosite body records only the last episode of folding F3
and hence, post-dates granulites and migmatites. The P-T path shows three decompression
vectors and two phases of cooling compatible with a clockwise trajectory. A retrograde
decompression from ~8 kb at 800oC to ~5 kb at 650oC was recorded. These authors argue
that multiple stages of P-T-t path may indicate breaks in orogenic cycle and reworking.
Dobmeier and Simmat (2002) interpreted that the compositional layering in
metasedimentary and enderbitic granulites was isoclinally folded during D1, which were
subjected subsequently to an intense deformation, forming a regionally pervasive foliation
S2 and stretching lineation L2 marked by long axes of elongated quartz, orthopyroxene,
garnet and c-axes of sillimanite. Locally S3 foliation axial planar to large scale open-tight
upright folds and parallel to S2 is dominant. N-S compression is indicated by WNW-dipping
lineations on ENE-trending oblique slip reverse faults. A NNE-trending widely spaced steep
foliation (S4) axial planar to open to tight folds (F4) is associated with SSW-plunging
mineral lineation indicative of strike-slip dominated shearing which transects all the
previously formed foliations. Leucosomes which trace S2 in leptynite were formed by biotite
dehydration at 800-900o C. Arrested charnockitisation according to these authors, occurred
during the formation of S3 involving breakdown of biotite and granet, and neoblastesis of
hypersthene. Their geochronometric studies reveal the following sequence of major events.
(a) relic early deformation (D1) at 964-921Ma, (b) igneous layering at 792Ma, (c) cooling
in thermal aureoles at 762-743 Ma, (d) S2 - S3 at ~ 662 Ma and (e) thermal activity and
fluid infiltration at ~500 Ma. Pant et al., (2006) have obtained a temperature estimate of
~950oC from the sapphirine - cordierite - high-Al-orthopyroxene - garnet and sillimanite
bearing assemblages from the high temperature contact aureole of Chilka Lake anorthosite
body.
Sengupta et al., (2008) suggested that the mineral assemblages, reaction textures
and deduced mineral reactions in calc-silicate rocks occurring at the contact of the Chilka
Lake anorthosite pluton, are indicative of UHT-metamorphism (T > 1000oC) at mid-crustal
depths (corresponding to 7±1 kbar). They inferred that, (1) this thermal metamorphism
completely erased imprints of an earlier (0.96 Ga) granulite facies metamorphism in the
calc-silicate rocks, and (2) the anorthosite and UHT contact metamorphic rocks were
overprinted by amphibolite-granulite facies tectonothermal re-working at 0.69-0.66 Ga.
Chatterjee et al., (2008) reported the crystallisation age of the anorthosite massif at ~983
Ma. They inferred that the Chilka Lake Domain experienced multiple deformation at ~714
and ~655 Ma, and a low grade Pan-African thermal activity at ~463 Ma.

Kondapalli Region
Kondapalli Hills and the surrounding areas including Pangidi area is a well studied
region in the southern EGMB located in its western fringe (Fig.-1). This forms a part of the
WCZ dominated by enderbite, charnockite and mafic granulite and minor metapelites
(khondalite). Chromiferous ultramafic bodies (dunite, orthopyroxenite and chromite) and
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 71

associated lenses of layered anorthosite and their gabbroic/noritic variants have been
emplaced in this granulitic lithopackage (Nanda and Natarajan,1980).
Sengupta et al., (1999) have provided a generalised geological history of the area as
follows. Emplacement of mafic-ultramafic-ultrabasic rocks,and partial melting and
segregation of leucosomes and melanosomes in pelites at depth produced the early fabric
(S1) during the earliest event envisaged. This was followed by F1 recumbent folding and
emplacement of charno-enderbite along the axial plane which produced a foliation (S2).
A sequence of folding from F2 to F4 followed and noritic dykes intruded along F3 followed
by dolerite dykes. This was succeeded by emplacement of granite pegmatites with allanite
(cooling age ~1600 Ma) and monazite (cooling age ~1672 Ma) culminating in N-S shear
zones (Ar-Ar cooling ages of hornblende ~1100 Ma). In essence, they inferred a pre-
Grenvillian granulite facies metamorphism and a localised Grenvillian thermal overprint
south of the Godavari rift in EGMB unlike the northern EGMB where Grenvillian granulite
facies metamorphism is a pervasive phenomenon. They have deciphered that the UHT
metamorphism in khondalite was possibly due to the enclosing basic melt at depth (>8kb
and >1000oC) and that together they cooled isobarically to ~700oC along an anticlockwise
heating-cooling trajectory. Biotite was almost completely eliminated in metapelites by a
number of dehydration melting equilibria leading either to stabilisation of garnet +
sillimanite, or to garnet + corundum. This area according to them is an example of a zone
of accretion of voluminous basic magma, regional UHT metamorphism, crustal anatexis
and near-isobaric cooling in the lower crust.
Dharma Rao et al., (2004) reported a whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron age of 1739 ± 220
Ma for the Pangidi igneous complex, which in proximity to the Kondapalle layered igneous
complex. This is characterised by strikingly low eNd (at 1750 Ma) of-14.4 ± 3.7, indicative
of significant degree of crustal contamination during its genesis.

Dharamgarh-Deobhog-Sinapalli-Khariar-Paikmal sector
The Lakhna-Khariar-Sinapalli segment of this zone was investigated and west-verging
Sinapalli, Lathore and Turekela nappes, Khariar lateral ramp and Dharamgarh window were
delineated (Biswal et al., 2007 and references therein). A well known deformed gneissic
nepheline syenite body (~1480 Ma) occurs (Aftalion et al., 2000; Upadhyay et al., 2006)
in the terrane boundary shear zone between Bastar craton and EGMB (Fig.-1). The protolith
of this alkaline gneiss was emplaced in a listeric thrust at the contact zone between the
two contrasting terranes . Biswal et al., (2007) attributed a Pan-African age to this nepheline
syenite body based on their geochronologic reinvestigation. However, Mohapatro et al.,
(2008) argued that this Pan-African age can be related to an younger phase of alkaline
magmatism which was emplaced in the same locale during reactivation of the old suture.
Dharamgarh-Deobhog segment in the north western fringe of EGMB close to the Bastar
craton was investigated by Gupta et al., (2000) who have arrived at the following
interpretations on the sequence of deformation. The early isoclinal folds (syn-D1M and
72 J.K. NANDA

D2M) are reoriented along N-S trending and E-dipping shear planes (S3M), with (S1M- S3M)
intersection lineations having steep to moderate plunges. The inferred syn-D3M near-peak
condition (> 900oC, 9.5 kbar) was followed by a period of cooling and isothermal
decompression ( to 800- 850 o C, c. 7 kbar).The cratonic block also underwent deformation
and metamorphism, but the two adjacent contrasting blocks did not have a common
tectonic history prior to D3. The shared D3 deformation, the syn- D3 inverted thermal
gradient preserved in the footwall cratonic rocks and the complementary cooling and
hydration of the hanging wall granulites across the contact were attributed by Gupta et
al,.(2000) to westward thrusting of 'hot' EGMB granulites on 'cool' cratonic crust. They
suggested that the EGMB gneissic unit is not a reworked part of the craton but a para-
autochthonous/allochthonous unit amalgamated to the craton.
Das et al., (2008) deciphered the earliest planar fabric in the nepheline syenite to be
a magmatic layering (So) which was folded into tight to isoclinal folds (F1) with development
of prominent axial planar foliation, S1. F1 folds are refolded by a set of asymmetric F2 folds
having long N-S trending limbs and short northerly-dipping E-W trending limbs. They
interpreted that the pre-thrust planar structures in the Eastern Ghats granulites were drawn
into parallelism with the thrust plane and the linear structures were rotated along the
transport direction orthogonal to the strike of the thrust plane. The thrust-related fabric
becomes increasingly pervasive neighbouring the craton-mobile belt contact. They suggested
that the syn- and post-thrusting mineral assemblages of rocks in and neighbouring the
thrust-contact between the craton and EGMB constitutes a distinct deformational-
metamorphic event, younger than the Grenvillian granulite facies metamorphic event in
EGMB. According to these authors, due to thrusting, the hanging wall granulites proximal
to the craton experienced cooling and at the same time, the cratonic footwall experienced
loading and heating. They attempted to explain loading and heating of granulites at the
cratonic fringe by crustal thickening achieved by transport and emplacement of crustal
slices from the hinterland along thrust imbrications. They also refuted the suggestion of
Gupta et al., (2000) that hot granulites emplaced over the marginal parts of cold cratonic
block as the source of heat for inverted metamorphism since the hanging wall granulites
also experienced heating.

Salur- Vizianagaram - Visakhapatnam - Anakapalle - Anantagiri - Paderu Sector

Structure, tectonics and petromineralogy of the lithopackages of this east-central
part of EGMB (Fig.-1) is well studied for over a century. The Visakhapatnam-Anakapalle-
Bimlipatnam stretch was mapped and large scale basin and dome structures were delineated
by Natarajan and Nanda (1981). Tani et al., (1998) have made detailed structural analysis
of the northern part of 'Madhuravada Dome' and identified three phases of deformations.
Excellent documentation of sapphirine bearing assemblages is available in Walker and
Collins (1907). Occurrence of such rocks was reported from Anakapalle by Nanda and
Natarajan (1977) which was dated at ~1000 Ma by Grew and Manton (1986). Subsequently,
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 73

several authors have focussed their attention on these high Mg-Al granulites because of
their utility in thermobarometric estimations and many important work on these relatively
rare assemblages have been published in recent years (Lal et al., 1987; Sengupta et al.,
1990; Mohan et al., 1997, and Rickers et al., 2001a). The records of extreme metamorphic
temperature conditions have been retrieved from studies on these rocks.
Rickers et al., (2001a) summarising the formation of sapphirine bearing assemblages
in EGMB state that in a majority of cases retrograde reaction textures reflect the imprint of
an early UHT metamorphism (900 - 1000oC / 9-8 kbar) followed by near isobaric cooling to
850 - 750oC. From their study on basic granulite containing xenolithic high Mg-Al granulites
from Anakapalle area they suggested that the intrusion of mafic melts resulted in heating
of lower crust through magmatic accretion accompanying the first deformation around
1.4 Ga during which the xenoliths came into place. They inferred that the rocks remained
in isostatic equilibrium during extensional tectonics and rapid upliftment and until
Grenvillian intrusion of felsic melts at about 1 Ga. According to these authors, the felsic
melts invaded both the basic granulites and xenoliths which caused reheating and intense
metasomatism. This was followed by a phase of compressional tectonics and a further late
stage garnet growth, all possibly happened under granulite facies metamorphic conditions
(Rickers et al., 2001a).
Mukhopadhyay and Bhattacharya (1997) suggested from their study of Salur area in
Andhra Pradesh that high degree of lower crustal melting was followed by prograde heating
of overlying rocks due to magma invasion synchronous with crustal compression. This was
succeeded by thermal relaxation over a protracted period punctuated by tectonic/erosional
denudation of the thickened crust.

Major Faults, Shear Zones, Thrusts/ Nappes and Boundary Relations

Walker (1902) and Fermor (1936) considered the western margin of Eastern Ghats to
be a fault. Crookshank (1938) observed that the boundary in Jeypore region is masked by
intrusive charnockites. Narayanaswami (1975) opined that the contact is not sharp but
transitional Rath et al., (1994) proposed that in the Khariar-Paikmal sector of the contact
zone WKZ could be in thrust contact and rests like a nappe on the passive eastern margin
of the Bastar craton, taking a cue from Black and Liegeois (1993). Ramakrishnan et al.,
(1998) suggested that the contact could be variable, ie., gradational/transitional where
WCZ is in contact with the craton margin, and is sharp where WKZ is in thrust contact with
craton. Deformed cratonic gneisses occur as enclaves within magmatic charno-enderbite
in the zone of contact between WCZ and cratonic block in Jeypore-Mukhiguda segment
(see Nanda and Pati, 1989).
The regional major shear zones and small-scale discrete ones occur throughout EGMB
in different sectors, provinces and domains. Chetty and Murthy (1994) described a network
of such regional major shear zones in the belt most of which are parallel to the general
trend of the belt. Mahalik (1994), Nash et al., (1996) and Chetty (2007) made an incisive
74 J.K. NANDA

investigation into the tectonic implication of the major faults and shear zones in the
northern EGMB and adjoining parts of Singhbhum cratonic block. These authors made use
of satellite imageries in delineating and evaluating these faults and shear zones. Mahalik
(1994) identified major E-W trending deep seated faults in the northern contact zone of
EGMB which according to him are responsible for slicing and interdigitation of the fragments
of EGMB and Singhbhum cratonic block. Nash et al., (1996) argued that the N-S shortening
and E-W fold/thrust packages with associated NE and NW strike-slip faulting is the dominant
structural style followed by regional dextral transpression, producing major strike-slip
faults in northern EGMB. They could trace the ~250km long Kerajang fault with possible
Palaeozoic-Mesozoic dextral motion exceeding 100km which according to them may be
the cause of juxtaposion of Singhbhum nucleus with northern EGMB. In recent work Mohanty
et al., (2008) documented the geology of the northern boundary region in Khamar-Samal-
Angul sector where Archaean WCZ slivers have got interdigitated with cratonic granite-
supracrustal assemblages of Singhbhum craton. A wide and prominent zone of mylonitic
clinopyroxene + garnet - bearing quartz-feldspathic gneisses occurs within and to the
north of the contact zone. These gneisses may have an infracrustal link with ~2.7 Ga
charnockites of Rengali Province.
Nagavalli and Vamsadhra shear zones (Fig.-1) broadly trend NNW-SSE and these are at
high angle to the general NE-SW trend of the central part of the EGMB. These roughly
coincide with the boundary between the domains II and III of Rickers et al., (2001) and
hence could be of additional significance. These two shear zones and the Mahanadi Shear
Zone tend to converge towards the Tel River Shear Zone and possibly initiated a thrust/
nappe on to the eastern margin of Bastar craton. At Hatpatharkhal close to Rayagada
(Fig.-1) a garnetiferous granite, with a large proportion of megacrysts of K.feldspar and
which carries abundant deformed xenoliths mainly of metapelites - has been emplaced in
the Nagavalli shear zone. Similar megacrystic granites and texturally comparable charnockites
have been emplaced in Vamsadhara shear zone and many other shear controlled locales in
the belt. The Sankarda granite (~1000 Ma) similar to Hatipatharkhal granite and Tikhiri
charnockite (970 Ma) have been emplaced in the cores of dome-basin structures formed
by F1 - F2 intersections, about 20km west of Rayagada (Fig.-2). From Rayagada region in
the area of influence of Nagavalli shear zone, Shaw et al., (1997) determined ages of a
sequence of metamorphic, migmatitic and magmatic events. They obtained four clusters
of age data representing : (i) intrusion of protoliths of mafic granulite and leptynite at
1450 Ma, (ii) intrusion of protoliths of sillimanite - bearing granite and orthopyroxene
granulite, and associated major event of regional metamorphism at 1000 Ma, (iii) intrusion
of porphyritic granite and associated local metamorphism at 800 Ma, and (iv) Pan-African
late shearing and fluid influx event at 550 Ma.
The Terrane Boundary Shear Zones in the northern and western segments of the contact
zone of EGMB with the adjoining cratons in Orissa sector, have received special attention
of workers in recent years because of their global significance especially in the context of
amalgamation of India and eastern Antarctica. Major shear zones separate the lithozones,
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 75

e.g., the Sileru Shear Zone, and also provinces or domains e.g., the Ranipathar and Mahanadi
shear zones (see Nash et al., 1996). The Mahanadi shear zone has been correlated with the
Lambert rift in Antarctica (Lisker and Fachmann, 2001; Chetty, 2007). Both the small
scale discrete and the regional shear zones are characterised by mylonite and ultramylonite
which are transected by veins of pseudotachylite in some segments. Pseudotachylites of
Angul domain have yielded Pan-African to early Palaeozoic fission track ages (Lisker and
Fachmann, 2001).
A prominent terrane boundary shear zone (TBSZ) with a shear sense indicating westward
thrusting marks the northwestern contact zone of EGMB with Bastar craton Paikmal-Khariar-
Sinapali segment. Upadhyay et al., (2006) indicated the age of the shearing to be Early
Palaeozoic. Bhattacharya (1997, 2002, 2004) described mylonitic high temperature crustal
scale shear zones at the western margin of the Eastern Ghats belt, from Jeypore in the
south and Paikmal in the north, and interpreted the terrane boundary shear zones as the
result of oblique collision with the Bastar and Singhbhum cratonic blocks, against an
irregular continental (passive) margin. Based on attitude of mylonitic foliation, stretching
lineation and microstructures characterising ductile deformation at high temperatures,
Bhattacharya (2004) argued rapid exhumation of Eastern Ghats orogen by tectonic
denudation subsequent to ductile deformation at high temperature in its marginal part as
evidenced by decompression reaction textures and retrograde hydration reactions. Das et
al., (2008) from study on mafic granulites of this sector suggested that the shearing may
be correlated with top-to-the-west thrusting of the Eastern Ghats Belt over the cratonic
foreland and the early Palaeozoic prograde granulite facies metamorphism may relate to
suturing of these two disparately evolved crustal blocks. Mahapatro et al., (2008) interpreted
the NE-SW trending Tel River Shear Zone/Tel River Lineament (Fig.-1) as the root zone of
this nappe. Several diapric bodies of ~1000 Ma massive-type anorthosite-leuconorite
complexes including those of Bolangir, Turkel, Jugsaipatna and Rajendrapur have possibly
found this zone suitable for their emplacement marking a major Grenvillian tectono-
magmatic event.

Alkaline Magmatism (DARCS), Paleosutures, Rifts and Grabens

Alkaline magmatic rocks dominated by miaskitic nepheline syenite and associated
minor mafic variants occur discontinuously almost all along the western and northern
fringe region of EGMB from Elchuru in southwest through Kunavaram, Koraput, Khariar,
Rairakhol-Kankarakhol up to Badadangua in the northeast (Fig.-1). Numerous petrological
studies have been carried out on these rocks and petrotectonic interpretations attempted.
Amongst these bodies, the (~1400 Ma) Rairakhol Complex forms a part of the large ~100km
long Rairakhol-Kankarakhol-Badadangua alkaline province in the northern EGMB of Orissa
sector (Panda et al., 1993,1998). Out of all the alkaline bodies recorded in EGMB the
Khariar Complex has gained more attention not only because of its location at the contact
zone between EGMB and the Bastar craton to its west, in a prominent terrane boundary
shear zone, but also because of the evidence of unmistakable recurrent alkaline magmatism.
76 J.K. NANDA

Pant et al., (2008) have made a

comparison between the
petrochemistry of the Khariar and
the Rairakhol-Kankarakhol
complexes.
Nepheline syenite and
associated members in all the
major complexes in the belt are
deformed to varying extent (fig-
3,4 and 5). Leelanadam et al.,
(2006) compared these deformed
alkaline rocks with 'deformed
alkaline rocks and carbonatites
(DARCs)' of Burke et al., (2003).
The pulses of alkaline magmatism
recorded in EGMB were in 1500-
1400 Ma (Khariar and Rairakhol), Fig.1. Generalised map of EGMB showing lithozones (after
Ramakrishnan et al., 1998), major shear zones/
1300-1200Ma (Kunavaram,
lineaments, alkaline and anorthosite complexes.
Elchuru) and ~850 Ma (Koraput) Anorthosite Complexes: B-Bolangir, T-Turkel, J-
(Sarkar and Paul, 1998; Aftalion Jugsaipatna, 3 Chilka Lake. Alkaline Complexes: Bd-
et al., 2000; Upadhyay et al., Badadangua, K-Kankarakhol, R-Rairakhol, KH-Khariar,
KP-Koraput, KN-Kunavaram and EL-Elchuru. Well
2006). The youngest pulse of this studied segments (see text) are shown with
magmatism is 517 Ma based on the numbers: 1- Angul region, 2- Chadeidhra-Jenapur
data of Biswal et al., (2007, op. segment, 3-Chilka Lake region, 4- Kondapalle, 5-
cit). This is represented by a small Deobhog-Dharamgarh region, 6- Visakhapatnam-
Vizianagaram-Raygada-Anantagiri-Paderu sector (Vs-
body of fine to medium grained, Visakhapatnam, Vz-Vizianagaram, RG-Rayagada, AT-
undeformed nepheline syenite Anantagiri, PD-Paderu). SSZ-Sileru Shear Zone, TRL-
associated with minor mafic-rich Tel River Lineament (Tel River Shear Zone), NSZ-
Nagavalli Shear Zone.
members occurring in the
southern extremity of the Khariar alkaline complex north of Babeir. This phase is dominated
by a mesocratic syenite composed of disoriented laths of K-feldspar in a fine to medium
grained groundmass of nepheline and K.feldspar (Fig.-6). A strongly developed magmatic
flow layering is observed in the mafic members. Accessory clinopyroxene occurs with a rim
of Ca-rich garnet in some samples of this fine grained syenite (Pant et al., 2008).
The ~500 km long Elchuru-Kunavaram-Koraput shear zone (also the Sileru shear zone)
between WCZ and WKZ with known alkaline magmatism was inferred to be a Precambrian
suture zone (Chetty and Murthy, 1994, 1998). From the study of the Kunavaram alkaline
complex, Gupta and Bose (2004) however, opined it to be a fossilised rift zone which was
reactivated during collisional tectonics rather than serving as a conduit for alkaline
magmatism. Bhattacharya and Kar (2004) suggested that the Koraput alkaline complex
formed by accumulation of magma in a pull-apart structure formed during shearing of
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 77

granulitic country rocks and

invoked plume activity as
the possible mechanism for
its genesis. This is however,
negated by Gupta et al.,
(2005) and Upadhyay
(2006). Nanda et al., (2008)
suggested thermal
rejuvenation of the Koraput
Complex and the host
granulites during an
intracrustal orogeny that
post-dates emplacement
and cooling of the pluton.
They contended that this
event occurred in the mid-
Neoproterozoic, and is
unrelated to the
Fig.2. Disposition of ~1000 Ma Sankarda granite and ~970 Ma
amalgamation of the
Tikhiri charnockite (Sarkar et al., 1994b, and Sarkar and
granulite belt with the Nanda, 1994) in a deformed package of quartzite and
Archaean Bastar/Dharwar khondalite with manganiferous horizons. Both the granite
craton. Ratnakar (2007) and charnockite are weakly deformed, texturally similar,
garnetiferous and contain abundant megacrystic and
argued that the misaskitic
subidiomorphic K.feldspars. Granite contains deformed
character of the nepheline xenoliths of metapelite.
syenite was acquired
through differentiation of alkaline basic magmas and was maintained by the thickness of
Proterozoic continental crust which lead the modulations of escaping the heat and volatiles.
The episodic alkaline magmatism during 1500-500 Ma represented by miaskitic
nepheline syenite along the western and northern margin of EGMB has been used as evidence
of a rift setting and the girdle joining the sites of deformed alkaline rocks in EGMB is
inferred to be a Precambrian suture (Gupta et al., 2005; Upadhyay, 2006). Utilising the
evidence from the occurrences of ophiolite fragments, anorthosite and alkaline bodies, a
'Great Indian Proterozoic Fold Belt' encompassing EGMB, Singhbhum mobile belt, Central
Indian Tectonic Zone, Aravalli and Delhi fold belts has been envisaged by Leelanadam et
al., (2006) somewhat similar to the model of Radhakrishna and Naqvi (1986).
Nanda et al., (2000) have reported long radiating dykes of granophyres and trachyte,
small bodies of analcime syenite and peridotite from the cratonic fringe close to the
contact zone in Padampur-Paikmal area north of Khariar. There are reported occurrences of
lamproites from this fringe region of Bastar craton close to the contact zone and
Neoproterozoic/ Early Palaeozoic kimberlite pipes further to the west (Chalapathy Rao, et
al., 2007). The thrusting and amalga-mation of the craton and EGMB, terrane boundary
78 J.K. NANDA

shear zone and the younger alkaline

rocks tapped from different depths,
all being largely of Pan-African age,
could be of considerable significance
(Mohapatro et al., 2008).
The well known NW-SE trending
Godavari graben and the WNW-ESE
trending Mahanadi graben transect
the mobile belt and host Phanerozoic
sedimentary formations. These are
characterised by well identifiable
geophysical signatures as well.
Godavari graben contains Proterozoic
sediments underlying the Gondwana
formations (Rao, 1987). Karimnagar
and Bhopalpatnam granulite patches
also occur along the fringe of this
graben which could have formed due
to high heat flow along these rift- Fig.3. Highly deformed banded and gneissic nepheline
like structures. Santosh et al., (2004) syenite from Burbuda area in Rairakhol-
suggest that these granulites located Kankarakhol belt in northern EGMB. Minor
reclined isoclinal folds can be seen.
away from the influence of the Eastern
Ghats mobile belt, neither recorded any Grenvillian ages (1.0 Ga) corresponding to the
Rodinia accretion nor late Pan-African ages (ca. 550 Ma) relating to the Gondwana
amalgamation, indicating that the region did not witness any of these younger tectonic
events. Their age data indicate that the two granulite belts shouldering the Pranhita-
Godavari rift basin have evolved in different times under distinct P-T conditions and
thermal regimes. Upadhyay et al., (2006) opine that the intrusion of alkaline magma at
1480 Ma at Khariar marks the initiation of a Mesoproterozoic NE-SW rift along the cratonic
margin and a similar age of Pranhita-Godavari graben may indicate the latter to represent
the failed arm of a rift system in which the NE-SW trending arm was the active segment.
They suggest that it could even mean operation of a Wilson cycle of opening and closing
of an ocean. From fission-track analyses of zircon and apatite Lisker and Fachmann (2001)
concluded that the Mahanadi graben formed through a two-stage rifting in Late Permian
to Middle Triassic and evolved parallel to the rifting of Lambert graben in East Antarctica.
Chetty (2007) attempted correlation of these two rifts based on their comparable asymmetric
half-graben structure, homoclinal basin tilts and Permo-Triassic growth faulting.

AMALGAMATION OF EGMB WITH CRATONIC BLOCKS

Biswal et al., (2007) suggested that the final juxtaposition of EGMB with Bhandara
(Bastar) craton to its west, took place in late Neoprotero-zoic. Upadhyay (2006) however,
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 79

suggests that this collisional suture zone is superimposed on a (1.4-1.3 Ga) Mesoproterozoic
rift which can be correlated to the breakup of the supercontinent Columbia and opening
of an ocean between eastern India and east Antarctica where the sedimentary sequences of
the Eastern Ghats Province (EGP) were deposited between 1.4 and 1.2 Ga. He argues that
the Grenvillian collision of eastern India with east Antarctica during Rodinia assembly
formed the EGP-Rayner Complex orogen where the EGP sediments and the rocks of the
Rayner complex were deformed, metamorphosed and migmatised at granulite-facies
condition. According to him, the
Mesoproterozoic rifting and
Grenvillian basin closure may
represent a Wilson cycle related to
the breakup of Columbia and the
assembly of Rodinia. The craton
Eastern Ghats suture was
subsequently modified significantly
during Pan-African tectonism
(0.5-0.6 Ga) when the Eastern Ghats
granulites were thrust westward over
the cratonic foreland along a number
of amphibolite-facies shear zones at
the contact. The present crustal
geometry exposes only the eroded
Pan-African thrust contact between
the craton and the Eastern Ghats Belt
and not the original Grenvillian
Fig.4. Folded nepheline syenite from in Rairakhol-
suture, which may be lying unexposed
Kankarakhol belt in northern EGMB. Darker bands
under the granulite thrust sheets. The are richer in hornblende and biotite and the
Tel River shear zone may represent the lighter ones are rich in nepheline and K.feldspar.
surface expression of this Grenvillian
suture along which a cluster of anorthosite - leuconorite complexes were emplaced.
Simmat and Raith (2008) inferred that the internal segmentation and structural
configuration of the EGMB and its cratonic forelands took place during late Neoproterozoic-
Early Phanerozoic times. An east-directed crustal growth of Proto-India during several
orogenic events took place from late Archaean to early Phanerozoic times. This caused W-
to NW-directed intracratonic deformation during the amalgamation of the Grenvillian
Eastern Ghats Province-Rayner Complex terrane with India. Pervasive high-grade
metamorphism recording the Grenvillian collision between 985 and 954 Ma in EGMB
synchronous with that in the Rayner Province was inferred by Chatterjee et al., (2008).
According to them, the Pan-African shear zones between the EGMB and the Archean cratons
80 J.K. NANDA

of India, and at Prydz Bay and south

of the Rayner Block in Antarctica may
record the early Paleozoic assembly.
Dobmeir et al., (2006) argue that the
Krishna Province where Grenvillian
ages are lacking may be different from
the Eastern Ghats Province. They
further infer that the Eastern Ghats-
Rayner Province terrane formed part
of Rodinia while the rest of sub-
continental India remained as
distinct continental entity far away
from Rodinia land mass. Based mainly
on evidences of DARCs occurring
along the western fringe of the belt,
there is growing opinion that Wilson
cycle of opening and closing of an
ocean was operative (Upadhyay et al.,
2006). Fig.5. Banded gneissic nepheline syenite of Khariar
Alkaline Complex.

DISCUSSION
By now it is accepted that the western charnockite zone lying between the rest of
the EGMB and the cratons to its west and north, is an entity having an older and distinctly
different tectonometamorphic history. It is well understood that the early event of
deformation in EGMB produced a strong gneissic/foliation in the rock types. This is an
Archaean event in WCZ and its equivalent in the northern fringe of EGMB. Rest part of the
belt experienced a similar event in early Proterozoic. Bhattacharya (2004) recognised
both hotter Archaean and non-restitic Proterozoic granulites in EGMB of similar collisional
tectonic styles but formed under different thermal regimes.
Mesoproterozoic activities within WCZ include the emplacement of ~1700 Ma
chromiferous ultramafics. The parts of WKZ bordering WCZ or the craton margin witnessed
1450-1200 Ma alkaline magmatism possibly related to an ocean opening, as has been
postulated by different authors. Subsequent collisional tectonics and ocean closing
converted these alkaline rocks into DARCs. Grenvillian overprint in the entire belt manifests
as a pervasive ultra-high temperature granulite facies meta-morphism, generation of partial
melts, emplacements of anorthosite, charnockite and granite bodies in suitable locales.
Evidence of the last major activity is now observed as partially metamorphosed mafic
dykes in WCZ, the youngest pulse of alkaline magmatism in sites of older DARCs, and
lamproite-kimberlite further to the west in the cratonic fringe region. Brittle/brittle-
ductile deformation and reactivation of shear zones in the main belt, generation of
pseudotachylites (seismic/aseismic), emplacement of Al-Be rich Q-F pegmatites in the
 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF EASTERN GHATS MOBILE BELT 81

zones of dilation in CMZ producing a

variety of gem minerals (Nanda,
2006), are possibly part of this
youngest recorded event possibly of
Pan-African to early-Plaeozoic age.
The studies carried out in the last
2 decades in EGMB though in
disparate sectors, domains and
segments, have gone a long way in
improving our understanding of the
Precambrian tectono-magmatic
events of the belt. The present
disposition of the belt, its litho-zones
and fabrics in individual litho-bands
reflect the tectonic, metamorphic and
magmatic processes which have
played their part over a long geologic
time. Elucidation of most of these are
however, based on regional Fig.6. Undeformed nepheline syenite from chilled
correlations and analogy from other margin of the younger phase of Khariar Alkaline
Complex north of Babeir, showing disoriented
such Precambrian high grade terranes. laths of K- feldspar in a fine to medium grained
Therefore, a lot more work remains to groundmass of nepheline and K.feldspar.
be done in gap areas especially on,
1) structural studies, particularly the mapping of shear zones in many more sectors of the
belt, 2) correlation of events of deformation, metamorphic and magmatic processes, and
3) precise geochronologic investigations to date the tectonic events so that the "Tectonic
Framework and Evolution of EGMB" can be understood with a enhanced degree of confidence.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author is grateful to the Director General, Geological Survey of India, for permission
to present the paper in the Symposium. His sincere thanks are due to Dr. T.Radhakrishna,
Head, Geoscience Division, CESS, Trivandrum, for invitation to participate in the Symposium.

REFERENCES
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AFTALION, M., BOWES, D.R., DASH, B. and FALLICK, A.E. (2000) Late Pan-African thermal history in
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Proterozoic Khariar alkali syenite, Orissa. Geol. Surv. Ind., Spec. Publ., No. 57, pp.26-
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