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The Southern Granulite Terrane (SGT) in India is composed of Archaean to Proterozoic crustal blocks and intervening shear/suture zones. The Nallamalai shear zone lies along the eastern flank of the Shevaroy Block. This study is focused on the eastern part of this shear zone where the basement rocks are dominantly composed of charnockite, quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and metagabbro, all of which preserve original magmatic texture. Zircon U-Pb LA-ICPMS analysis on the charnockite samples yielded an age of 2680 to 2500 Ma for the protolith emplacement followed by metamorphism at 2520 to 2450 Ma. Magmatic zircon grains in the quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and metagabbro yielded weighted mean ages of ca. 2557 Ma and ca. 2583 Ma with metamorphism at ca. 2518 Ma. Zircon Lu-Hf data suggest that the protolith of metagabbro was sourced mainly from the recycled Mesoarchaean crustal component. The ƐHf(t) of charnockite (−0.4 to 4.1) and quartzo-feldspathic gneiss (0.5 to 6.0) represent a combined source of the mantle as well as recycling crust. All the rocks underwent amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism and petrological studies and pseudosection modelling shows a similar P-T range of 7–8 kbar and 650–830°C. Results from the present study suggest that crustal evolution along the eastern flank of the Nallamalai Shear Zone involved melting of older crustal components (Mesoarchaean age) with significant juvenile input (ƐHf(t) = ~+6.0) within a continental arc setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First study to employ coupled in-situ Rb-Sr mineral and U-Pb zircon to date early Earth events. • Major magmatic events derived from depleted mantle sources and continental growth during 3.3–2.9 Ga, 2.9–2.7 Ga and 2.7–2.55 Ga. • Reconstruction of the early Earth's crustal evolution, and the history of magmatic and metamorphic events. The Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and the Karwar Block (KB) in southern Peninsular India provide important windows to Earth's early crustal evolution and continental growth as these domains likely represent fragments of the first landmass or supercontinent on our planet. Here we employ, for the first time, a coupled laser ablation zircon U-Pb dating and in-situ Rb-Sr dating of micas (biotite, muscovite) and feldspars to evaluate the Meso- to Neoarchean crustal evolution and Proterozoic magmatism/metamorphism in the Karwar Block. This novel approach based on integrated geochronological results show that the WDC and KB experienced (i) a major Mesoarchean continental growth event (c. 3.2 to 2.9 Ga), (ii) younger Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic magmatism/migmatization (syn- and post-tectonic granite formation events at c. 2.8–2.6 Ga and 2.2 Ga, respectively), and (iii) Mesoproterozoic metamorphism/thermal imprint (as young as 1.2 Ga). The zircon εHf(t) values exhibit a range from +0.4 to +9.8 in amphibolite, hornblende gneiss and trondhjemite (3.28–3.08 Ga), as well as the +6.1 to +9.7 range for 2.96 Ga old zircons in porphyritic granite, which suggests juvenile source for the magmatism that constructed this crustal block. Overall, this study illustrates the benefits of using coupled zircon U-Pb and in-situ Rb-Sr mica and feldspar dating approaches, as the former (U/Pb) provides robust constraints or a 'baseline age' for initial crystallization of crustal sequences whereas the latter (Rb/Sr) is sensitive to younger magmatic and metamorphic events. Thus, the integration of these two laser ablation ICP-MS based geochronometers applied to crustal evolution studies, has the potential to provide more comprehensive insights into continental growth in the early Earth, and later magmatic and metamorphic history of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imprints of Marion hotspot magmatism representing the final stages of rifting between India and Madagascar from the Gondwana assembly occur scattered in several localities of southern India. In this study, we report evidence for rift‐related Santonian magmatism from alkali gabbro in the Madurai Block and present mineralogical, petrological, zircon U–Pb geochronological, and whole‐rock geochemical data on the Mundanmudi gabbroic complex. The rock shows mesocumulate textures with plagioclase laths forming the triple junctions and porphyritic texture with hornblende and clinopyroxene as phenocrysts. Geochemically, the gabbros are characterized by moderate to high SiO2 (50–58 wt.%), alkalies (4.14–7.00 wt.%), and high TiO2 (1.71–4.22 wt.%), with calc‐alkaline to high‐K alkaline affinity. Chondrite‐normalized REE patterns are highly fractionated with LREE enrichment relative to HREE and absence of Eu anomalies. The primitive mantle normalized trace element patterns have LILE enrichment relative to HFSE, exhibiting negative anomalies at Nb, Zr, and Ti. The HFSE relationships indicate a within‐plate tectonic setting for the genesis of these gabbros. The major element tectonic discrimination plots suggest MORB‐OFB affinity which is also supported by the Nb–Th relationship endorsing the divergent tectonic processes responsible for the generation of these gabbros. The zircon U–Pb mean age of ca. 85 Ma represents the magmatic emplacement age within a rift‐related tectonic setting during the Santonian (late Cretaceous). Based on the LREE and HREE relationship, it is inferred that the parental magma might have been derived at garnet lherzolite depths above the Marion plume, possibly correlatable with the large igneous province generated at this time in Madagascar. Our study provides new evidence for the final phase of the magmatism at ca. 85 Ma related to India–Madagascar rifting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrological, geochemical, and zircon U–Pb geochronological features of Archean ultramafic–mafic complexes formed in subduction‐related settings provide significant insights into mantle source and geodynamic processes associated with subduction–accretion‐collision events in the early Earth. Here, we investigate a suite of serpentinized dunite, dunite, pyroxenite, and clinopyroxenite from an ultramafic complex along the collisional suture between the Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and the Central Dharwar Craton (CDC) in southern India. We present petrology, mineral chemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, rare earth element (REE), Lu–Hf isotopes, and whole‐rock geochemistry including major, trace element, and platinum‐group element (PGE) data with a view to investigate the magmatic and metasomatic processes in the subduction zone. Mineral chemistry data from chromite associated with the serpentinised ultramafic rocks show distinct characteristics of arc‐related melt. Zircon U–Pb data from the ultramafic suite define different age populations, with the oldest ages at 2.9 Ga, and the dominant age population showing a range of 2.8–2.6 Ga. The early Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.4 Ga) metamorphic age is considered to mark the timing of collision of the two WDC and CDC. Zircon REE patterns suggest the involvement continental crust components in the magma source. Zircon Lu–Hf analysis yields both positive and negative εHf(t) values from −3.9 to 1.5 with Hf‐depleted model ages (TDM) of 3,041–3,366 Ma for serpentinised dunite and −0.2–2.0 and 2,833–2,995 Ma for pyroxenite, suggesting that the magma was sourced from depleted mantle and was contaminated with the ancient continental crust. Geochemical data show low MgO/SiO2 values and elevated Al2O3/TiO2 ratios, implying subduction‐related setting. The serpentinized dunites and dunites show mild LREE enrichment over HREE, with relatively higher abundance of LILE (Ba, Sr) and depletion in HFSE (Nb, Zr), suggesting fluid–rock interaction, melt impregnation, and refertilization processes. The PGE data suggest olivine, chromite, and sulphide fractionations associated with subduction processes. Our study on the Mesoarchean to Neoarchean ultramafic complex provides important insights to reconstruct the history of the crust–mantle interaction in an Archean suprasubduction zone mantle wedge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The granulite facies metapelite (khondalite) belt in the Trivandrum Block of southern India has been central to investigations on extreme crustal metamorphism associated with the final assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent during late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian. Here we investigate garnet-sillimanite-cordierite-spinel-bearing metapelites from this khondalite belt using state-of-the-art petrologic, mineral phase equilibria modelling, and coupled zircon and monazite U-Pb geochronology to characterize the nature and timing of metamorphism and their tectonic implications. From textural studies and mineral phase equilibrium modelling, we infer that Sill + Grt + Crd representing prograde metamorphism was stable at 6–9 kbar and 760–790 °C. Equilibrium spinel-quartz assemblage suggests peak metamorphic conditions of 6.5–7 kbar and 1010–1030 °C consistent with ultra-high temperature metamorphism in the Trivandrum Block. Growth of cordierite and biotite at the expense of garnet correlates with retrograde metamorphism at 4.5–6.5 kbar and 770–950 °C. Our results allow an interpretation of the prograde, peak, and retrograde P–T conditions of the khondalites, where from the peak ultrahigh-temperature stage of >1000 °C, the rocks underwent isothermal decompression as indicated by garnet breakdown to cordierite, followed by isobaric cooling, corresponding to an overall clockwise P–T evolution. We present results from U-Pb geochronology of zircon as well as LA-ICPMS data on monazite grain separates. The zircon grains show two distinct age peaks, with Paleoproterozoic cores surrounded by Late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian rims or recrystallized domains. The younger ages around 550–560 Ma are similar to the lower intercept age, whereas the wide range of Paleoproterozoic ages fall along a discordia. The LA-ICP-MS monazite U-Pb data also show two distinct age populations at Paleoproterozoic and latest Neoproterozoic-Cambrian, although the Paleoproterozoic population is scarce. We correlate the late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian ages to the ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic event, associated with the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent. The wide range of monazite ages indicate that high temperature metamorphism was long-lived. Unlabelled Image • Phase equilibria modelling of prograde, peak and retrograde metamorphism in the khondalite belt • Zircon and monazite yield Paleoproterozoic and Late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian ages. • Ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism constrained at 550–560 Ma, associated with Gondwana assembly. • Wide range of monazite ages suggest long-lived thermal input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dhala Crater, located in the Bundelkhand Craton of Central India, has been contemplated as a complex crater. Here we present the results from a detailed investigation of the morphology of the crater by integrating geoinformatics and subsurface geology. The syn- and post-impact litho-contact, considered as crater boundary, was generated using visual interpretation of imagery whereas the morphology of the crater was generated from borehole data using spatial interpolation. The surface of contact between the Dhala Formation and the melt breccia show a bowl shaped depression that is inferred to have formed through impact. Our observations on the absence of a Central Elevated Area (CEA) and the small diameter (2.96 km) of the crater point towards a simple impact crater. A mesa-like structure located at the centre of the crater, formerly contended as the CEA, is in fact a vestige of denudational processes acting on the Proterozoic sediments in the crater. We propose a 4-stage evolutionary history that envisages the formation of the crater: the first three represent the impact event and sedimentation whereas the fourth stage correlates with denudation and its remnants seen throughout the exposed Vindhyan sediments. Image 1 • Dhala Crater was formerly contended as a complex crater with a central elevated area (CEA). • Our study proposes Dhala as a simple crater based on subsurface geology and geoinformatics. • Our study proves that Dhala structure is a simple impact crater. • The central uplifted area imparts a pseudo-CEA and is vestiges of denudation. • A 3D model was created using back-analysis to reconstruct the crater evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]