Spatial and temporal distribution of Large Igneous Provinces in the Indian Shield - Highlights of recent investigations

Abstract

This report highlights investigations since 2016 on the Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs), particularly based on their mafic dyke swarms (MDSs) and continental flood basalts (CFBs), from the Indian Shield. Recent research, particularly geochemistry, geochronology and paleomagnetism, allow identification and characterization of distinct generations of LIPs in space and time in the Indian Shield. This could be the basis for critical new tests of paleogeographic reconstructions of supercontinents and paleocontinents of the Earth's history and the position of India in different ancient supercontinent/supercratons. The high-quality data generated in recent years also helped significantly to understand the nature, composition and evolution of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle beneath the Indian Shield, which aims at resolving important geological aspects, such as the role of plume tectonics, ancient subduction events, extent of the LIPs paleo-supercontinent reconstructions, etc., and has received considerable national and international attention. © 2020 Indian National Science Academy. All rights reserved.