1. What is the Saurashtra Basin?
The Saurashtra Basin is a geological region in Western India, covered largely by volcanic rocks known as the Deccan Traps. It spans an area of 240,000 square kilometers, including parts of western Gujarat and the north of Mumbai coastline.
2. How was the Saurashtra Basin formed?
The basin was formed by the separation of India from Madagascar around 100 million years ago. This event led to the creation of lowlands in western India and highlands in the northern and northeastern regions.
3. What is the significance of the Deccan Traps?
The Deccan Traps are significant as they cover a large portion of the Saurashtra Basin, resulting from volcanic eruptions during the Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago.
4. What types of sediments are found in the Saurashtra Basin?
The basin contains Mesozoic era sandstones, primarily originating from Neoproterozoic and Archean rocks. These sediments were deposited by rivers flowing from the highlands to the low-lying areas of the basin.
5. What techniques were used to study the basin’s geological history?
Researchers used electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to analyze the mineral composition and age of the sediments.
6. What minerals were analyzed in the study?
The study focused on zircon and monazite minerals, which are known for preserving geological data. These minerals contain significant amounts of uranium and thorium, which decay into lead and are used as geological clocks.
7. What are the next steps in the research?
Future research aims to refine the understanding of the source areas and paleogeographic changes, including investigating possible sediment sources from Madagascar and Seychelles. The team plans to use seismic data to further study the basin’s configuration.
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