Preservation of Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks from the eastern margin of the Bastar Craton, India, and their geodynamic implications

The current study reports the occurrence of a deformed Paleoproterozoic K-rich metasedimentary rock unit at the eastern margin of Bastar Craton, India. Geochemical studies of the metasedimentary rocks suggest the presence of an active continental margin at the eastern part of the Bastar Craton. Detailed petrological and mineralogical studies suggest that K-feldspar, quartz, chlorite, muscovite, kaolinite, and ± biotite represent the primary mineral assemblage in the rock unit. Combined mineral thermobarometric and P–T pseudosection estimate the peak metamorphic condition (i.e. M3 metamorphic) at T ~ 550 °C, P ~ 0.5 GPa. Furthermore, monazite grains (about 20–60 μm in diameter) were dated using the in-situ U–Th–Pb_total dating method under EPMA. Based on composition and texture, monazite spot ages can be categorized into four groups: Group I, Group II, Group III, and Group IV. The mean age of the oldest monazite population (Group I) at ~ 2100 Ma suggests vertical sagging of the sedimentary basin and the associated M1 metamorphism. The M2 metamorphic event is represented by the Group II monazite population’s mean age of ~ 1629 Ma. Rhyolite magmatism in the eastern margin of the Bastar Craton may be connected to this specific event. The Group III monazite mean age of ~ 1533 Ma represents the M3 metamorphic event (peak metamorphic condition). This event could be linked to the accretionary growth at the Bastar Craton's eastern boundary during the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent. Furthermore, the M2 and M3 events may correlate with orogenic events recorded in the Central Indian Tectonic Zone at ca 1.62 and 1.5 Ga, respectively. Finally, the mean age of ~ 528 Ma for the Group IV monazite population represents Pan-African orogenic activity along the eastern margin of the Bastar Craton.

Graphical abstract