The structural and geochemical evolution of the Singhbhum granite batholithic complex, India

Abstract

The Singhbhum granite batholithic complex of eastern India is composed mainly of (a) the Older Metamorphic Group, tonalite (-trondhjemite) gneiss (OMTG, 3800 Ma old), whch intruded synkinematically into the enveloping Older Metamorphic Group (OMG, >3800 Ma old) and (b) the Singhbhum granite (SBG) consisting of three distinct but closely related phases of at least twelve separate magmatic units of granodiorite-granite (2950 Ma old), and a number of patches of granitised OMG orthoamphibolites. Geochemical studies including REE and LIL elements suggest that (a) the OMG orthoamphibolites were derived either by re-melting of a K-poor basalt (LKT) or of mantle peridotite with high concentration of LIL elements, (b) the OMG tonalite was derived by partial melting of amphibolite and (c) the Singhbhum granite magmas appear to have formed in two distinct modes: (i) partial melting of amphibolite for the magmas of phases I and II and (ii) partial melting of a siliceous, garnet-bearing granulite for magmas of the phase III units.