Research Projects

Although, preliminary investigation of a small section of cumulate rocks at Khangral-Chiktan and Dras-Kargil has been conducted by Bhat et al. (2023), a comprehensive study of the MTZ rocks is missing. Huge outcrop of MTZ rocks are exposed at Spongtang and Nidar, yet no studies related to magma genesis and evolution has been initiated till date. Crustal evolution throughout geological time is largely affected by magma genesis arising from chemical discontinuity at the crust-mantle boundary (Windly, 1977). Studies have revealed that changes in magma processes and magma composition are related to the crust-mantle dynamics associated with evolving tectonic activity (Yoshida, 2014). Therefore, a comprehensive study of Moho Transition Zone rocks from the ISZ ophiolites is essential to have an overall understanding of magma genesis and its evolution at the crust-mantle boundary. This is required to comprehend the geodynamic evolution of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere in light of India-Asia collision. Novelty of the proposal is given below: • Delineating the mechanism for magma genesis and evolution at Moho Transition Zone (MTZ) in order to understand the geodynamic evolution of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere in light of India-Asia collision • Establishing the parental linkage between the ultramafic and mafic cumulates of the ISZ ophiolites in order to constrain the tectonic controls on the crust-mantle evolution • Deciphering the magma processes for base metal sulfide (BMS) mineralization at crust-mantle boundary. Scientific Objectives: Following are the objectives of the proposed project: 1. To decipher the magma processes, nature and origin of the Moho-Transition Zone (MTZ) rocks of the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) ophiolites. 2. To delineate the mantle source of Moho Transition Zone (MTZ) rocks in the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere. 3. To characterize and assess the potentialities of base metal sulfide (BMS) mineralization from the ISZ ophiolites. Significance of the field of research: 1. High quality geochemical data of Moho Transition Zone (MTZ) rocks would be generated. 2. Manpower would be trained in executing field works in rough terrains and handling sophisticated analytical instruments such as EPMA, XRF, ICPMS, LA-ICPMS, TIMS and so on. 3. Tectonic model for genesis of magma at crust-mantle boundary of the Neotethyan oceanic lithospheric would be constructed. 4. Potentialities of base metal sulfide (BMS) mineralization at crust-mantle boundary would be identified. 5. Inferences from mineral chemistry, whole-rock and isotope geochemistry would be communicated for publication in reputed international/national journals with high impact factor. 6. Prospective collaborative work with leading scientific institutions around the world.