Gravity Anomalies and Kimberlite Exploration in the Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field of South Indian Kimberlite Province

Abstract

The Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field (WKF) in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India, stands as a pivotal region for kimberlite exploration in the South Indian Kimberlite Province. It features distinct gravity highs and lows, sandwiched between Closepet Granite (CG) and Cuddapah Basin (CB), with notable gold-mineralized Ramagiri-Penakacherla Greenstone Belt (RPGB) and Jonnagiri Greenstone Belt (JGB). The structural features of gravity modelling include upwarping beneath the western CG and downwarping beneath Peninsular Gneissic Complex-II (PGC-II). Gravity signatures allow for the identification of shallow geological features such as granite structures and fault/shear zones around 3–4 km deep in the WKF region, with kimberlite pipes showing a preferential concentration along these zones. Deep-seated fault structures reveal the area's geological characteristics, offer insights into lithospheric fluid migration, and are key for evaluating fluid flow pathways associated with deep-seated minerals and kimberlite exploration. The study reveals regional variations and geological characteristics, providing valuable avenues for future research.