Magma heterogeneity in the generation of ophiolitic mafic rocks on the eastern flank of the Indian plate

Abstract

Subduction polarity reversal typically occurs in intra-oceanic arc settings; the existence of an ancient intra-oceanic arc and its associated back-arc system within the Neotethyan plate has been deliberated. In this study, we investigate the possible role of subduction initiation of polarity reversal in the formation of Nagaland-Manipur ophiolite (NMO), evaluate the petrological and geochronological data and compare it with the neighboring natural examples of subduction polarity reversal of the Andaman-Nicobar ophiolite (ANO). The ancient intra-oceanic arc, namely the Incertus-Woyla Arc, and its associated back-arc remnant have been correlated with the back-arc mafic of the ANO. We found that the geochemical signatures of mafic rocks of NMO and ANO are comparable, and the available geochronology data of ~ 145 Ma from the NMO basalt and chert fit well with the evolution and formation of the intra-oceanic arc, i.e., Incertus-Woyla Arc. The evolution and age of the Incertus-Woyla Arc are between 135 and 150 Ma. Although the oldest age of the ANO has been reported from metamorphic sole at about 106.4 and 105.3 Ma, the back-arc affinity of the amphibole has been credited to the back-arc spreading that occurred behind the Woyla Arc. Previous paleomagnetic and geochronological studies have suggested that the development of the back-arc basin behind the Incertus-Woyla Arc was a result of divergent double subduction. Therefore, we have inferred a similar scenario for the development of the back-arc affinity rocks of the NMO behind the Incertus-Woyla Arc and the reinterpretation for the evolution of the supra-subduction zone affinity rocks of NMO and ANO during subduction initiation after subduction polarity reversal.