Seismological mapping of a geosuture in the southern granulite province of India

Abstract

The evolution of the Southern Granulite Province of India has remained a contentious issue due to its complex tectonic history and sparsely preserved surface geologic features. This terrain has attracted global attention because of its central role in Gondwanaland tectonics. The crustal structure and composition of this province are examined using passive seismological data recorded by a network of broadband seismic stations sited in the region. Our results clearly show that the composition and seismic structure of the crust across the northeast arm of the Karur-Kambam-Painavu-Trichur shear zone are distinct. This is pronounced even beyond Karur across the eastern and western segments of the Madurai block along its meridional arm as well as across the Namakkal block. These vivid depth images with differing crustal compositions across the blocks, together with occurrence of alkali syenites and other rock types reminiscent of collision, enable us to demarcate the unambiguous presence of a suture in the region.