Understanding the Dharwar Craton
The Dharwar Craton, located in southern India, is a significant geological feature known for its extensive greenstone belts and granite intrusions, classifying it as a classic greenstone-granite terrain.
This vast cratonic area is broadly divided into two major parts:
- The Western Dharwar Craton
- The Eastern Dharwar Craton
Geological Division of Dharwar Cratons
The separation between the Western Dharwar Craton and the Eastern Dharwar Craton is a key aspect of its geological structure. This division is primarily marked by a major geological feature.
The feature responsible for separating these two distinct geological provinces is the Closepet Granite, which lies close to the Chitradurga Shear Zone. This zone acts as a suture or boundary, reflecting significant tectonic activity in the region's past.
While other geological elements like Peninsular Gneiss and shear zones like the Palghat-Cauvery and Karur-Kambam exist within the broader South Indian Shield, the specific boundary between the Western and Eastern Dharwar Cratons is defined by the Closepet Granite and the associated Chitradurga Shear Zone.
Important Questions from Earth's Origin & Structure
- Which one of the following statements related to Earth is NOT correct?
- The Peninsular Gneiss is typically made up of which one of the following?
- Which one of the following is the northernmost craton of the Indian Shield concealed under the Indo-Gangetic Alluvium extending in the north up to the Himalaya and bounded by Son-Narmada fault against the Satpura Mobile Belt in the south and by the Great Boundary fault against the Aravalli Craton in the west?
