Crustal and lithospheric mantle conductivity structure in the Dharwar craton, India

Abstract The vertical extension and structure of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle beneath the Archean Dharwar craton is the main attraction of the work presented here. To delineate the electrical conductivity structure of the Dharwar craton, a magnetotelluric study is carried out. This study comprises magnetotelluric data at 22 stations along a west-east slanting profile. Inter-station spacing is approximately 15 km. This magnetotelluric study is initiated from Dandeli (in the west) to Sindhanur (in the east side). The preferable geoelectric strike directions for the crust and lithospheric mantle are N3°E and N16°E respectively. A 2-dimensional (2-D) resistivity model derived by using the crustal and lithospheric mantle strike azimuths, identified conductive features in the stable continental Dharwar craton. In the crust, prominent conductors are present in the eastern and western part of the profile. A conducting feature is present in the deeper crust associated with the Chitradurga shear zone (CSZ). The study infers a thick lithosphere beneath Dharwar craton as a preserved cratonic nucleus on the eastern and a few conductive anomalies in the western part of the Dharwar craton. The model shows two separate conductors in the depth range of 110–250 km. This study shows, the possibility of presence of kimberlite melt in the western Dharwar craton in the depth range of 110–150 km.