Precambrian Basins of India: Stratigraphic and Tectonic Context
This Memoir provides a comprehensive review of the Precambrian basins of the four Archaean nuclei of India (Dharwar, Bastar, Singhbhum and Aravalli-Bundelkhand), encompassing descriptions of the time–space distribution of sedimentary–volcanic successions, the interrelationship between tectonics and sedimentation, and basin histories. Studies of 22 basins within the framework of an international basin classification scheme deepen an understanding of the basin architecture especially for cratonic basins. Most Indian sedimentary successions formed as cratonic to extensional-margin rift and thermal-sag basins, some reflecting mantle plume movement, subcrustal heating or far-field stress. This Memoir shows that Phanerozoic plate-tectonic and sequence stratigraphic principles can be applied to the Precambrian basins of large Archaean provinces. The differences between the stratigraphic architecture of the Indian Precambrian and examples of Phanerozoic basin-fill successions elsewhere are ascribed to variable rates and intensities of the controls on accommodation and sediment supply, and changes inherent in the evolution of the hydrosphere–atmosphere and biosphere systems.
Geology of Mesoproterozoic Chhattisgarh Basin, central India: current status and future goals
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Published:January 01, 2015
Abstract
In the last two decades multiproxy studies involving process-based sedimentology, geochronology of interbedded tuff units from different stratigraphic levels, sediment geochemistry including stable isotope signatures and documentation of structural grains within selective stratigraphic intervals from the Chhattisgarh Basin, central India have resulted in a perception change on various aspects of the basin fill including its time frame, stratigraphic framework and depositional architecture in the space–time domain. In addition to establishing a Mesoproterozoic (c. 1450–1000 Ma) time frame for the basin on a strong foothold, these studies also proposed revision of its stratigraphy by introducing new stratigraphic units at ‘formation’ and ‘group’ level. From collation of available data, their critical evaluation and presentation of new data, the present work proposes a four-tier lithostratigraphy for the Chhattisgarh Supergroup, namely, Singhora Group, Chadarpur Group, Raipur Group and Kharsiya Group. Further, application of sequence stratigraphic rationale allowed the basin succession to be subdivided into four and three nonconformity/unconformity-bound depositional sequences in its eastern and western parts, respectively. The present chapter also highlights the potential of the basin for carrying out studies related to Mesoproterozoic ocean oxygenation and outlines the necessity of well-planned geophysical transects to resolve issues related to tectonic setup of the basin.