Research Projects

Ladakh Himalaya is divided into four tectono-stratigraphic zones from north to south, i.e., Karakoram Zone, Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ), Indus Suture Zone (ISZ), Zanskar Zone (Searle et al., 1987). The Ladakh Batholith (LB) is a NW-SE trending longitudinal belt traceable throughout the ISZ and comprises diorite-granodiorite-granite rock assemblages. Although a significant amount of work has been carried out on the LB granitoids, however dykes intruding the LB have not been explored in details till date. As such, earlier attempts that were made to understand the evolution of the LB are incomplete as they did not consider an important component of formation of the associated dykes and mafic enclaves. Hence, detailed petrological work has to be carried out to reveal the origin of these dykes and their relationships with the associated mafic enclaves, felsic host rocks comprising of granites and granodiorite. The main objective of this project is to present a complete geodynamic model for the origin and evolution of the LB. The proposed project work will involve thorough studies on the dykes, mafic enclaves and associated host rocks which will include extensive field investigations, detailed petrography, geochemical analysis, mineral chemical analysis and radiogenic isotope analysis. Understanding the processes and relationships of formation of dykes with respect to the genesis of enclaves and associated host rocks, remains a major challenge of igneous petrology. In general, various discrepancies have been observed as follows: a) No ultra-potassic dykes have been found as reported by earlier worker b) Isotopic, structural and petrographic evidences suggest major differences in the formation and subsequent exhumation and retrogression histories in the LB. c) The dykes are geochemically diverse and exhibit various degrees of differentiation probably indicating heterogeneous sources, varying depths of generation, varying degrees of partial melting, fractionation of various mineral phases and possible role of crustal contamination and assimilation fractional crystallization. The results from this project will help in understanding the better picture of origin of dykes intruding the LB. As the formation of the LB is extremely important to understand and to construct the geodynamic model of the Ladakh Himalaya. Thus, gathering additional information from the dykes, mafic enclaves, and the associated host rocks will provide new insights into the present understanding of evolution of the Ladakh Himalaya as a whole. This will also throw light in better understanding of the range of geological records, history of collision of continents and disappearance of ocean basins as Ladakh is considered as a valuable geoheritage site of the world. Furthermore, such volcanic rocks have huge potential for Li, U, Th and rare earth mineral exploration.