A subsurface criterion for predictive exploration of kimberlites from Bouguer gravity in the eastern Dharwar craton, India

• Published in: Journal of the Geological Society of India Vol. 74; no. 1; pp. 69 - 77
• Main Authors: Veeraiah, B., Ramadass, G., Himabindu, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer-Verlag 01-07-2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Diamonds; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geology; Gravity; Hydrogeology; Plate tectonics; Predictions; India; Dharwar craton; Kimberlite emplacement; Karnataka; Bouguer gravity; Subsurface topography
• ISSN: 0016-7622; 0974-6889
• DOI: 10.1007/s12594-009-0105-x

The Archaean-Proterozoic Dharwar craton has many recorded occurrences of diamondiferous kimberlites. Reports of kimberlite emplacement in parts of the tectonically complex eastern Dharwar craton and a significant density contrast between kimberlites and the host peninsular gneisses motivated us to conduct gravity studies in the Narayanpet-Irladinne area of the eastern Dharwar craton. This region is contiguous with the Maddur-Narayanpet kimberlite that lies to its north, while the river Krishna lies to its south.
From observed association of reported kimberlites in the Maddur-Narayanpet field with subsurface topography of the assumed three-layer earth section obtained by Bouguer gravity modelling, we developed a subsurface criterion for occurrence of kimberlites in the present study area. Using this criterion, five potential zones for kimberlite localization were identified in the Narayanpet-Irladinne region, eastern Dharwar craton.