A number of NE–SW to ENE–WSW trending Palaeoproterozoic mafic dykes, intruded within the Archean basement rocks and more conspicuous in the southern parts of the western Dharwar Craton (WDC), was studied for their whole‐rock geochemistry to understand their petrogenetic and geodynamic aspects. Observed mineralogical and textural characteristics classify them either as meta‐dolerites or dolerites/olivine‐dolerites. They show basaltic to basaltic–andesitic compositions and bear sub‐alkaline tholeiitic nature. Three geochemically distinct groups of mafic dykes have been identified. Group 1 samples show flat REE patterns (LaN/LuN = ~1), whereas the other two groups have LaN/LuN = ~2–3 (Group 2; enriched LREE and flat HREE patterns) and LaN/LuN = ~4 (Group 3; inclined REE patterns). Chemistry is not straightforward to support any significant role of crustal contamination and probably reflect their source characteristics. However, their derivation from melts originated from a previously modified metasomatized lithospheric mantle due to some ancient subduction event cannot be ignored. Most likely different mantle melts were responsible for derivation of these distinct sets of mafic dykes. The Group 2 dykes are derived from a melt generated within spinel stability field by ~10% batch melting of a lithospheric mantle source, whereas the Group 3 dykes have their derivation from a melt originated within the spinel–garnet transition zone and were fed from slightly higher (~12–15%) batch melting of a similar source. The Group 1 samples were also crystallized from a melt generated at the transition zone of spinel–garnet stability field by higher degrees (~20%) of melting of a primitive mantle source. Geochemistry of the studied samples is typical of Palaeoproterozoic mafic dykes emplaced within the intracratonic setting, reported elsewhere globally as well as neighbouring cratons. Geochemistry of the studied mafic dyke samples is also compared with the mafic dykes of the eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC). Except the Group 3 samples, which have good correlation with the 1.88–1.89 Ga Hampi swarm, no other group shows similarity with the EDC mafic dykes. There is an ample possibility to have some different mafic magmatic events in the WDC, which could be different from the EDC. However, it can only be confirmed after precise age determinations.
Extensive field and petrological studies carried out in Kandra ophiolite complex (KOC) in the southern part of Nellore schist belt (NSB) revealed the existence of sheeted dykes in Kandra-Kondakuru-Gollapalli section. The sheeted dykes occur in the northern part of the complex and compositionally vary from medium-grained dolerites showing typical sub-ophitic texture to diabase dykes that are extremely fine grained aphanitic to fine-grained cryptocrystalline parallel basic dykes (varying in width from 4 cm to 1.25 m). These dykes show chilled margins on either side with the host dykes into which these are intruded. Veins of oceanic plagiogranite (0.5 x 5 m) are noticed in a major sheeted dyke. Occurrence of oceanic plagiogranite as ovoid / semicircular patches of 6 cm diameter resembling "immiscible droplets" within basic dykes is also noticed. The southern part of the complex is made of a major NW-SE trending cumulus gabbro that grades into olivine gabbronorite in its eastern part. The southern gabbros represent the plutonic component and form the deeper part of the complex. In this paper an attempt has been made to present the field, petrographic and mineral chemistry account of various lithounits that constitute the Kandra ophiolite complex in a succinct manner.
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