Indian Geological Sequences: Salient Features and Major Events

It provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian geological record,differentiating it into five hierarchical sequences and documenting major events and their correlation across sedimentary basins.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2023
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Indian Geological Sequences: Salient Features and Major Events is a comprehensive exploration of the first-ever hierarchical classification of the entire Indian geological record. This classification encompasses five tiers, ranging from five giga to 12 mega to 25 1st-order to over 100 2nd-order sequences. The core framework of this study revolves around a grid of sequence timelines, which effectively integrates diverse geological manifestations across the tectono-stratigraphically homogeneous supra-region of GTM (Gondwanian Tethyan Margin, spanning from Arabia to Australia). By employing this comprehensive approach, the authors have achieved a level of precision in chronicling geological events that surpasses previous efforts.

The giga-sequences GS-I to GS-IV, comprising eight mega-sequences MS-I to MS-VIII, provide a concise overview of the Precambrian era. GS-V (from approximately 635 million years ago onward) encompasses orogenies, while MS-IX (from approximately 635 to 444 million years ago) and MS-XII (from approximately 61.6 million years onward) focus on the evolution of mountain ranges. MS-X (from approximately 444 to 259 million years ago) and MS-XI (from approximately 259 to 61.6 million years ago) are characterized by dismemberment tectonics. The primary focus of this study lies in the correlation of geological events across numerous sedimentary basins, spanning from outcrop to subsurface, onshore to offshore, marine to non-marine, shallow to deep water, plant to animal, micro to macro-fossils, and Proto-Paleo-Neotethys to the Indian Ocean.

Among the significant Phanerozoic events that have been precisely dated are the accretion of the then-alien TH to the Indian margin at approximately 500 million years ago, known as the Acantha Zone mega MFS (massive fossil seafloor), and the impingement of India on Asia at approximately 5 million years ago, known as the P8 Zone mega MFS. Additionally, important dismemberment events include the initiation of the Indian Ocean at approximately 159 million years ago, culminating in the oceanic separation of Sri Lanka from Antarctica at approximately 107 million years ago, within the early Middle Albian Dentatus Zone mega MFS. Another significant dismemberment event occurred at approximately 90 million years ago, leading to the separation of Madagascar and the Mascaranes basin, as well as the North Eastern Ridge (NER), Central Indian Ridge (Centr.), and other regions.

In summary, Indian Geological Sequences: Salient Features and Major Events is a groundbreaking work that provides a comprehensive understanding of the geological history of India. Through the utilization of a hierarchical classification system and a grid of sequence timelines, the authors have achieved a remarkable level of precision in correlating geological events across diverse sedimentary basins. This study sheds light on significant Phanerozoic events, such as the accretion of the TH and the initiation of the Indian Ocean, as well as important dismemberment events that have shaped the geological landscape of India and its neighboring regions.

Dimension: 235 x 191 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128212707