Proterozoic Events in the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt, India: Evidence

from Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd Systematics, and SHRIMP Dating 1

R. K. Shaw, M. Arima, H. Kagami,2 C. M. Fanning,3 K. Shiraishi,4 and Y. Motoyoshi 4

Geological Institute, Yokohama National University, Tokiwadai 79-2, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240, Japan

ABSTRACT
Metamorphic and protolith ages of five rock types (mafic granulite, orthopyroxene granulite, leptynite, sillimanite
granite, and metapelite) from Rayagada, in the north-central part of the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB), India,
were determined from Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd whole rock and mineral isochrons in combination with SHRIMP U-Pb zircon
data. Most of the whole rock isochron ages in both Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr systems point to either ,1450 or ,1000, Ma,
and the mineral isochron ages are ,1000, ,800, and ,550 Ma. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages of ,940 Ma were obtained
from metapelite, which are in close agreement with the Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isochron ages. From all these data, four
age clusters (,1450, ,1000, ,800, and ,550 Ma) have been noted. The 1450 Ma ages are interpreted to represent
igneous protolith formation of mafic granulite and leptynite. The 1000 Ma age cluster is regarded as the intrusion
ages of sillimanite granite, and charnockite, and associated granulite facies metamorphism. Two other age clusters
(800 and 550 Ma) are regarded as metamorphic heating events. Earlier reports from the EGGB show two major age-
groupings, one around 1450 Ma, characterized by alkaline magmatism and anorthositic intrusions, and the other at
1000 Ma, considered to be the major metamorphic and tectonothermal event. The present data are broadly similar
with those reported from parts of East Antarctica with respect to the 1000 Ma and 550 Ma events and reconfirm that
EGGB has been an integral part of eastern Gondwana.

Introduction
The Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB) forms a
linear belt along the east coast of Peninsular India.
It plays a key role in the reconstruction of Gond-
wana fragments, including East Antarctica, Sri
Lanka, and India (Yoshida 1995). It has long been
thought that EGGB represents an Archean frag-
ment of Peninsular India (Narayanaswamy 1975).
However, recent studies, on identification and
characterization of Proterozoic events in EGGB
have focused on correlating it with other parts of
Gondwana (cf. Yoshida et al. 1996).
Previous geochronological data from this belt
cluster around 1400–1500 Ma (Rb-Sr whole rock
isochron ages: Sarkar et al. 1981; Sarkar et al.
1994a, 1994b, 1994c, 1994e, and 1994f) and 1000
Ma (U-Pb zircon ages: Grew and Manton 1986; U-
Pb zircon and monazite ages: Aftalion et al. 1988;
Pb-Pb and U-Pb zircon and monazite ages: Paul et
al. 1990). The 1400 Ma event has been considered
to represent alkaline and anorthositic magmatism,
whereas the 1000 Ma event is regarded as the age of
peak metamorphism and charnockitization. Some
older ages such as 2580–2600 Ma (U-Pb zircon: Vi-
nogradov et al. 1964) and 1858–2258 Ma (Pb-alpha
in allanite: Rao et al. 1980) have also been reported
from some areas of EGGB.
In this paper, we present Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd whole
rock and mineral isochron ages of granulite facies
metamorphic rocks from Rayagada (19° 10′N, 83°
25′E), in the north-central part of EGGB. In addi-
tion, we also report the SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages
of two metapelite samples from the same area.

1
Manuscript received February 11, 1997; accepted May 20,
1997.
2
Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata Uni- Geological Background
versity, Niigata 950-01, Japan. Major EGGB rock types include metapelite, quartz-
3
Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National
University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. ite, calc-silicate granulite, mafic granulite, char-
4
National Institute of Polar Research, Kaga, Itabashi-ku, nockite, anorthosite, and alkaline igneous rock
Tokyo 173, Japan. (Naqvi and Rogers 1987). Ramakrishnan et al.

[The Journal of Geology, 1997, volume 105, p. 645–656]  1997 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved. 0022-1376/97/10504-0002$01.00

645
646 R. K. SHAW ET AL.
(1994) presented a generalized stratigraphy of
EGGB, subdivided into three longitudinal sectors:
Western Charnockite Zone, Central Khondalite
Zone, and Eastern Migmatized Zone. EGGB is jux-
taposed with Singhbhum craton to the north, and
Bastar and Dharwar cratons to the west. Boundaries
between these cratons are generally regarded as
faults, although there has been some controversy
among researchers (Murthy 1994; Mahalik 1994).
Two types of metamorphic P-T paths have been
inferred from the EGGB (cf. Shaw and Arima
1996a): (1) an anticlockwise path with initial iso-
baric cooling followed by decompression, and (2) a
clockwise path with initial high temperature de-
compression followed by cooling and subsequent
decompression. Geochemical data for the protolith
of mafic granulites from the EGGB suggest either
an island-arc environment (Rao and Rao 1992) or a
Figure 1. Geological map of Rayagada showing major lithologies and sample localities. Bar, Chi, Kan, Kas, and Mal
are the locality names.
continental rift-related environment (Shaw and
Arima 1996b).
The present study area, Rayagada, exposes a di-
verse suite of granulites and granites (figure 1). Ma-
jor rock types of the area include metapelite (gar-
net-spinel-sillimanite gneiss) with intercalated
quartzite and calc-silicate granulite, orthopyroxene
granulite (charnockites and associated rocks), lep-
tynite, sillimanite granite, mafic granulite, and por-
phyritic granite. Petrography, mineral chemistry,
and metamorphic conditions have been described
by Shaw and Arima (1996a, 1996c, 1996d). Ther-
mobarometric calculations give a maximum P-T
condition of 950°C and 9 kbar. The P-T path is char-
acterized by an isobaric cooling followed by decom-
pression. Recently, corundum-quartz assemblages
have been reported from this area, which might put
the peak metamorphic condition at higher P and T
Journal of Geology PROTEROZOIC EVENTS IN THE EASTERN GHATS 647

Table 1. Mineral Assemblages and Chemical Features though a crude foliation is noted at places. Major
of the Analyzed Rock Types constituting minerals are quartz, feldspars, silli-
manite, garnet, spinel, cordierite, biotite, and oxide
Rock types Mineral assemblages Chemical features
phases. Metapelite is similar to the sillimanite
Mafic granulite Cpx 1 Opx 1 Pl 1 Chemically similar granite with respect to the mineralogical assem-
Hbl 1 Bt 1 Ilm 1 to continental blages but has distinctive petrographical and tex-
Kfs 1 Qtz sub-alkalic basalts tural features. In the field, it is characterized by al-
Orthopyroxene Opx 1 Kfs 1 Pl 1 Differentiated igne-
granulite Qtz 6 Grt 1 Ilm ous suite, from ba- ternate bands of garnet-sillimanite rich layers and
1 Bt 6 Hbl sic to acidic vari- quartz-feldspar rich layers. Leptynite and metapel-
eties ite exhibit strong foliation parallel to S 2, whereas
Sillimanite Qtz 1 Kfs 1 Grt 1 Peraluminous gra-
granite Sil 1 Ilm 1 Mgt nitic composition the sillimanite granite is only weakly foliated. In
1 Pl 1 Spl 1 Bt the western part of the studied area, both the meta-
6 Crd pelite and leptynite are strongly folded (F3) and
Metapelite Qtz 1 Kfs 1 Grt 1 Chemically similar
Sil 1 Pl 1 Ilm 1 to sediments de- sheared (Shaw 1996). Two types of garnets have
Spl 6 Mag 6 Rut rived from supra- been noted in metapelite, one porphyroblastic and
6 Crd 1 Bt 1 Gr crustal materials the other coronal. Some of the porphyroblastic gar-
Leptynite Qtz 1 Kfs 1 Grt 1 Peraluminous gra-
Ilm 1 Bt 1 Pl 6 nitic composition nets have numerous inclusions of quartz, silliman-
Spl ite, biotite, feldspar, and ilmenite. In this study, we
used only the inclusion-free porphyroblastic gar-
Note. Mineral abbreviations after Kretz (1983).
nets for isotopic measurements. Garnets in the lep-
tynite and sillimanite granite are euhedral crystals
(Shaw and Arima 1996c). Three folding and defor- with relatively homogeneous chemistry.
mation events have been identified: early intrafol- Brief geochemical characteristics of the analyzed
ial F1 folds, tight to isoclinal F2 folds, and open F3 rock-types are presented in table 1. Mafic granulite
folds. Among these three ductile deformations, the shows similarities to the present-day rift-related
second (D 2 ) was the most intense (Shaw 1996). sub-alkalic basalts (Shaw et al. 1996a). Based on
geochemical characteristics, metapelite is regarded
as the mixture of different end members of sedi-
Sample Description
ments derived mainly from supracrustal rocks
Table 1 gives a brief summary of the mineral as- (Shaw and Arima 1996b), and orthopyroxene granu-
semblages of the analyzed rocks. Mafic granulite is lite represents a suite of differentiated igneous
composed dominantly of orthopyroxene, clinopy- rocks (Shaw et al. 1996b). Protoliths of leptynite
roxene, plagioclase and hornblende. These mineral and sillimanite granite are inferred to be two types
constituents are chemically homogeneous and in- of peraluminous granites (Shaw and Arima 1996b).
clusions are rarely abundant; in the field, they show
strong foliation defined by alternate mafic and fel-
Analytical Procedures
sic layers, parallel to the dominant regional folia-
tion (S 2 ). Orthopyroxene granulite is characterized We followed the mineral separation method de-
by orthopyroxene and feldspars and occasional gar- scribed by Unnikrishnan et al. (1995). As pointed
net. The rock represents a dark greasy appearance, out by Unnikrishnan et al. (1995) and Zhou and
owing to the dark colors of quartz and feldspars, Hensen (1995), garnet inclusions can have a major
and is referred to as charnockite in some references. impact in Sm-Nd dating of garnet. Therefore, we
Petrographic features and mode of field occurrence took extreme care in selecting pure garnet grains,
of the orthopyroxene granulites clearly demon- with a minimum of inclusions. Extraction of Rb,
strate their igneous origin (Shaw and Arima 1996d). Sr, Sm, and Nd from the rock and mineral powders
Garnets in the orthopyroxene granulite are rela- were similar to that of Kagami et al. (1982, 1987).
tively fine-grained, lack inclusions, and show no Isotopic analyses were performed on a MAT 262
significant major elemental chemical zoning. Al- mass spectrometer equipped with five Faraday cups
though most of the orthopyroxene granulites are at the Institute for Study of the Earth’s Interior,
massive in nature, they sometimes show a crude Okayama University, Japan. The 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and
foliation parallel to S 2. Leptynite is characterized 143
Nd/ 144 Nd ratios were normalized to 86 Sr/ 88 Sr 5
by the platoon texture of quartz ribbons and elon- 0.1194, and 146 Nd/ 144 Nd 5 0.7219, respectively. The
87
gated garnet grains. At places biotite grains are Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of NBS987 and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratio of
aligned parallel to the foliation plane. Sillimanite La Jolla were measured several times during this
granite, on the other hand, is relatively massive, al- study with respective mean ratios of 0.710255 6
648 R. K. SHAW ET AL.

0.000010 (2σ mean N 5 9) and 0.511865 6 0.000008
(2σ mean N 5 11). Rb, Sr, and Sm, Nd concentrations
were determined by isotope dilution using a 87 Rb/
84
Sr and 149 Sm/ 150 Nd mixed spike, respectively. Un-
certainties in the Rb/Sr and Sm/Nd ratios are ca.
0.5% and ca. 0.1%, respectively. The blanks for the
whole procedure were Rb ,0.25 ng, Sr ,0.52 ng,
Sm ,0.04 ng, and Nd ,0.34 ng. Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd
isochron ages were calculated using a program of
Kawano (1994) based on the equation of York (1966)
with the following decay constants: λ87 Rb 5 1.42
3 10 211y 21 and λ 147Sm 5 6.54 3 10 212y 21. However,

Figure 2. Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isochron diagrams of mafic granulite and orthopyroxene granulite. Uncertainty limit of
the initial ratios of all the isochrons in the present and the following figures are shown as the numbers in the bracket
for the last two digits.
Journal of Geology PROTEROZOIC EVENTS IN THE EASTERN GHATS
the latter equation could not be used for the garnet-
whole rock two point Sm-Nd mineral isochron of
one leptynite sample (95R123).
SHRIMP analyses were carried out at the Re-
search School of Earth Sciences, the Australian
National University. Analytical procedures of
SHRIMP follow Compston et al. (1992), with aug-
mented counting-statistic uncertainties calculated
for the isotopic ratios using software of T. Ireland
(see Muir et al. 1996). Most of the analyses were
carried out using a Kohler aperture giving a 20 3
30 µm spot size.
Results
Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd ages. Analytical data and
isochron ages are given in tables 2 (Rb-Sr) and 3
Figure 3. Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isochron diagrams of leptynite and sillimanite granite.
649
(Sm-Nd), which can be obtained from The Journal
of Geology Data Depository upon request, free of
charge. Isochron diagrams are shown in figure 2
(mafic granulite and orthopyroxene granulite), fig-
ure 3 (leptynite and sillimanite granite), and figure
4 (metapelite).
Mafic granulite shows three different isochron
ages (figure 2): 1455 6 80 Ma (Sm-Nd whole rock
age of seven samples); 946 6 30 Ma (Sm-Nd mineral
isochron age); and ,800 Ma (833 6 10 and 781 6
39 Ma as the Rb-Sr mineral isochron age with horn-
blende, feldspar, and whole rock for two different
samples).
Orthopyroxene granulite, on the other hand,
shows two age clusters (figure 2): ,1000 Ma (1023
6 93 Ma as the Sm-Nd whole rock age and 958 6
16 Ma as the Rb-Sr whole rock age), and ,800 Ma
650 R. K. SHAW ET AL.

Figure 4. Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isochron diagrams of metapelite.

(815 6 9 and 808 6 64 Ma as the Sm-Nd mineral
isochron ages of two different samples).
For leptynite, Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr whole rock ages
of seven samples are 1464 6 63 and 1366 6 75 Ma,
respectively (figure 3). Sm-Nd mineral isochron
ages of two leptynite samples are 573 6 12 and 567
6 63 Ma, respectively. Sillimanite granite gives a
Rb-Sr whole rock age of 1132 6 87 Ma (figure 3).
The Rb-Sr whole rock age of five metapelite sam-
ples is 1069 6 84 Ma (figure 4). Sm-Nd mineral
isochron ages of four metapelite samples are 1067
6 43 Ma, 613 6 20 Ma, 554 6 52 Ma, and 500 6 54
Ma. Rb-Sr mineral isochron ages of two metapelite
samples are 534 6 3 Ma and 498 6 40 Ma.
SHRIMP U-Pb Zircon Ages. The SHRIMP U-Pb
zircon data for two metapelite samples (95R17 and
RS9D) are presented on standard Wetherill con-
cordia diagrams in figure 5. Full tabulations of the
results may be obtained from the senior author
upon request. In sample 95R17, most of the zircon
Journal of Geology PROTEROZOIC EVENTS IN THE EASTERN GHATS
Figure 5. Standard Wetherill concordia plots for two metapelite samples. An enlarged view of the analyses is shown
for sample RS9D. Different shades are used to designate approximate age groupings. Analyses representing darker
shades are used to calculate a weighted mean.
grains are subrounded; 14 analyses were performed
on 12 grains. No distinct zonation based on hetero-
geneity has been noted for the zircon grains. All the
spots analyzed have high U content, with the U/
Pb ratio between 6 and 8. Weighted mean of 207 Pb/
206
Pb of these analyses gives an age of 945 6 11 Ma.
The zircon grains from sample RS9D show a
mixed morphology; some grains are rounded, some
sub-rounded, and others a elongated euhedral
shape. Sixteen analyses were made on 15 grains.
Most of the grains have high U contents and the
U/Pb ratio is similar to that for the other sample.
The weighted mean of 207 Pb/ 206 Pb of these 12 grains
gives an age of 936 6 13 Ma. However, three zircon
grains recovered from the same rock sample show
different results. A rounded zircon grain having a
low U content (ppm) gives a 207 Pb/ 206 Pb age of 2747
Ma. Another small sub-rounded grain with a rela-
tively low U content gives a 207 Pb/ 206 Pb age of 1450
Ma. The third relatively euhedral elongated grain
with a higher U content (high U/Pb ratio) gives a
207
Pb/ 206 Pb age of 646 Ma.
Discussion
Metamorphic and Protolith Ages of the Rayagada
Granulites. In the present study, five rock types
have been dated from the same area of approxi-
mately 100 km 2 understand its evolutionary his-
tory, and different methods of dating have been
used for similar rock types. Problems and prospects
of the interpretation of isochrons and isotopic data
are discussed by several authors (cf. DePaolo 1988).
As pointed out by DePaolo (1988), the problem
651
with the whole rock dating is in determining if the
rocks are isochronous and had the same initial ratio
for both Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd systematics. However,
for the Rb-Sr system, with a high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio, the
uncertainty in the initial ratio becomes unimpor-
tant. For the Sm-Nd system, usually, the rock suite
has a small range of 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios, and thus
any differences in the initial ratios that are larger
than their analytical uncertainty could affect the
age substantially.
The present data (Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, and SHRIMP)
show four major age clusters: ,1450 Ma, ,1000
Ma, ,800 Ma, and ,550 Ma. Most of the whole
rock isochron ages in both Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr sys-
tems point to either 1450 or 1000 Ma, and the min-
eral isochron ages are 1000, 800, and 550 Ma.
Sm-Nd whole rock isochron ages of the mafic
granulite (1455 6 80 Ma) and leptynite (1464 6 63
Ma) are interpreted as ages of intrusion of their pro-
toliths, since field, petrographic, and geochemical
evidence collectively suggest their igneous parent-
age. The Rb-Sr whole rock isochron age for the lep-
tynite (1366 6 75 Ma) is relatively younger than its
Sm-Nd whole rock age. This is probably due to a
relatively lower resetting temperature for the Rb-
Sr system compared to that for the Sm-Nd system.
Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr whole rock isochron ages of
orthopyroxene granulite of 1023 6 93 and 958 6
16 Ma, respectively, were obtained. Although the
samples analyzed were collected from three sepa-
rated outcrops (figure 1), the present results suggest
they are cogenetic and were in isotopic equilib-
rium. This is supported by their geochemical signa-
tures, which exhibit well-defined chemical varia-
652 R. K. SHAW ET AL.
tions among relatively immobile elements, similar
to that of igneous differentiation trend (Shaw 1997).
Therefore, the whole rock isochron ages for the or-
thopyroxene granulite are interpreted as the intru-
sion ages of their protolith.
The Sm-Nd mineral isochron age of the mafic
granulite (946 6 30 Ma) is interpreted as the age of
widespread regional metamorphism. The possible
heat source might be the charnockite intrusion
(precursor of orthopyroxene granulite) at ,1000
Ma. Evidence of this 1000 Ma event could also be
traced in the Rb-Sr whole rock isochron age of the
sillimanite granite (1132 6 87 Ma), possibly in-
truded during this time. The initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio
of sillimanite granite and orthopyroxene granulite
are relatively high (.0.72). This probably implies a
substantial crustal history for these rocks prior to
the Rb-Sr ages of ,1000 Ma.
The Rb-Sr whole rock isotopic data for the five
metapelite samples exhibit a well-defined ‘‘iso-
chron’’ (figure 4). This ‘‘isochron’’ gives an age of
1069 6 84 Ma, the imprint of the 1000 Ma event.
This suggests that redistribution of Rb and Sr might
have occurred, and the Rb-Sr isotopic system been
reequilibrated, during the 1000 Ma thermal and
metamorphic event. The Sm-Nd garnet mineral
isochron age of 1067 6 43 Ma was obtained from
one metapelite sample (95R17).
In the SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating, this same
metapelite sample (95R17) gives an age of 945 6 11
Ma and does not bear any imprint of a younger age,
unlike the other metapelite sample (RS9D). Sample
Figure 6. Comparison of published
radiometric ages from the Eastern
Ghats Granulite Belt with the pres-
ent results. Length of bar represents
error limit. Whole rock ages shown
by solid bars, and mineral ages as
open bars. Respective geochronolog-
ical methods are shown as: S 5 Sm-
Nd; R 5 Rb-Sr; U 5 U-Pb; and Pb 5
Pb-alpha. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages
obtained in the present study are
shown in separate symbols. Data
sources are from: Vinogradov et al.
(1964); Peeraju et al. (1979); Rao et
al. (1980); Sarkar et al. (1981); Grew
and Manton (1986); Paul et al.
(1988); Aftalion et al. (1990); Sarkar
et al. (1994a, 1994b, 1994c, 1994d,
1994e, 1994f ); and Sarkar and Nanda
(1994).
95R17 was collected near the sillimanite granite
and therefore possibly bears a strong ,1000 Ma sig-
nature. Zircon grains recovered from metapelite
RS9D give a SHRIMP U-Pb age of 936 6 13 Ma.
These features collectively suggest that the present
area has a strong imprint of a l000 Ma metamorphic
event. A single zircon grain in sample RS9D with
a SHRIMP age of 2750 Ma might be inherited from
sedimentary precursor. Similarly, the 1450 Ma age
from another subrounded zircon grain might reflect
the igneous intrusion of mafic granulite and leptyn-
ite, and the resulting heating event at 1450 Ma.
Sm-Nd mineral isochron ages of the orthopyrox-
ene granulite and Rb-Sr mineral isochron ages of
the mafic granulite are close to 800 Ma. This age
cluster is regarded as another metamorphic event.
Interestingly, the samples showing imprints of 800
Ma event are located near the porphyritic granite
(figure 1). Field evidence suggests this porphyritic
granite contains enclaves of mafic granulite, ortho-
pyroxene granulite, and metapelite, and is consid-
ered as the youngest intrusion in the studied area
(Shaw 1996). This 800 Ma event is thought to repre-
sent the youngest granitic and pegmatitic activity
in parts of EGGB (Perraju et al. 1979). We presume
that the porphyritic granite intruded around 800
Ma and was the possible heat-source for the reset-
ting ages of orthopyroxene granulite and mafic
granulite.
Sm-Nd garnet-mineral isochron ages of the met-
apelite and leptynite and Rb-Sr mineral isochron
ages of two metapelite samples cluster around 500–
Journal of Geology PROTEROZOIC EVENTS IN THE EASTERN GHATS 653

Figure 7. A reconstructed map of the eastern Gondwana, showing the Archean and Proterozoic terrains of India and
Antarctica, modified after Yoshida et al. (1996). Shaded areas are Archean cratons older than 3.0 Ga. The major age
ranges of the different terrains are also shown. Data source: Shaw (1997).

550 Ma, suggesting that the Pan-African event af-
fected the studied area. SHRIMP dating yielded a
similar age for one zircon grain. As seen from the
sample locations (figure 1), the 550 Ma ages come
mainly from samples from the western and south-
ern sectors of the study area. Shaw (1996) suggested
that in these sectors, the late-stage D 3 deformation
associated with shearing and fracturing along the
axial plane of F3 (third phase) folds is strongly devel-
oped in metapelite and leptynite. Thus, we infer
that the 550 Ma event is associated with locally de-
veloped D 3 deformation and late-stage fluid influx
along some preferential weak zones, e.g., late-stage
shear zones and fracture systems. However, Halden
et al. (1982) and Aftalion et al. (1990) suggested the
late fluid influxes to be around 850 and 1000 Ma,
respectively, for the northern sector of the EGGB
(Angul area).
In summary, the four clusters of measured ages
are interpreted to represent the following events in
the Rayagada: (1) 1450 Ma: intrusion of protolith of
mafic granulite and leptynite; (2) 1000 Ma: intru-
sion of protolith of sillimanite granite and orthopy-
roxene granulite and associated major regional
metamorphism; (3) 800 Ma: intrusion of porphy-
ritic granite and its associated local metamorphic
event; and (4) 550 Ma: Pan-African event with late-
stage shearing and fluid influx.
Geochronological Constraints for the evolution of
East Gondwana. The present data and all the avail-
able radiometric age data previously reported from
the EGGB are summarized in figure 6. The pub-
lished data (references in figure 6) show two major
age clusters: 1500–1400 Ma and 1000 Ma, with spo-
radic reports of relatively older ages (2600 Ma, 2000
Ma) and younger ages (800 Ma, 550 Ma). Most of
654 R. K. SHAW ET AL.
the recent geochronological data using the U-Pb or
Pb-Pb methods emphasize the 1000 Ma age cluster,
regarded as the major tectonothermal event with
associated granulite metamorphism (Grew and
Manton 1986; Aftalion et al. 1988; Paul et al. 1990).
Mezger et al. (1996) recently identified two seg-
ments in EGGB separated by the Godavari Rift. The
northern segment is dominated by 1000 and 500
Ma events, whereas in the southern segment there
are indications of a 1600 Ma metamorphic event.
In the present study area (in the northern segment),
we confirm the strong signatures of the mid-Proter-
ozoic 1000 Ma event (figure 6). We also identify a
1400 Ma event, which has earlier been considered
to represent anorthosite intrusion (Sarkar et al.
1981) and alkaline magmatism (Sarkar et al. 1994b,
1994c, 1994e, and 1994f ). Thus, a further character-
ization of the ca. 1400 Ma event becomes neces-
sary. In addition, we report two relatively younger
mineral isochron age clusters probably represent-
ing heating and fluid-influx events at ,800 and
,550 Ma, respectively.
In several Gondwana reconstruction diagrams
(Grew and Manton 1986; Yoshida et al. 1996),
EGGB is correlated to the parts of East Antarctica
that are also dominated by Proterozoic events. Fig-
ure 7 shows a correlation diagram of Eastern Gond-
wana, modified from the original diagram of Yo-
shida et al. (1996). The mid-Proterozoic 1000 Ma
event had a widespread impact on the coastal
Kemp, MacRobertson, and Princess Elizabeth
Lands (Black et al. 1987; Grew et al. 1988; Stüwe
and Hand 1992). The Mawson Coast of this area is
characterized by charnockite, intruded at ,1000
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Ma (Tingey 1991). Sm-Nd garnet mineral isochron
results from the Prydz Bay area (Hensen and Zhou
1995; Zhou and Hensen 1995) have identified the
Pan-African event. Moreover, recent SHRIMP U-Pb
zircon dating by Shiraishi et al. (1996) show evi-
dence of ,800 and ,550 Ma events in the Rayner
Complex. In the present scenario, however, good
correlation of the EGGB with other parts of East
Antarctica is available only for the ca. 1000 Ma and
550 Ma ages. For older and younger ages, more pre-
cise data are yet to come from both terrains. Our
present results are broadly similar to the existing
data from parts of East Antarctica and reconfirm
that EGGB has been an integral part of eastern
Gondwana.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Some of the analyzed samples were collected when
RKS was a research student at Jadavpur University,
India. RKS acknowledges the guidance of S. K. Sen
and S. Bhattacharya, and financial support from
CSIR, Government of India, during that time. The
later part of this study was supported by the Minis-
try of Education and Culture, Government of Japan
(Monbusho Grant No. 04041090). Reviews of M.
Yoshida, T. Frisch, and an anonymous reviewer
helped to improve the manuscript. The help of T.
Hamamoto, M. Yuhara, and A. Ali during analyti-
cal work are also acknowledged. Parts of this re-
search were also supported by a Grant-in-Aid for
general scientific research from the Ministry of Ed-
ucation, Science and Culture to MA (08454154).
This is a contribution to IGCP-368.
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