Tectonophysics, 202 (1992) 375-397 375

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam

Nature of continental crust along the Narmada-Son Lineament

inferred from gravity and deep seismic sounding data

R.K. Verma ’ and Paramesh Banerjee 2

Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India

(Received July 10, 1990; revised version accepted June 26, 19911

ABSTRACT

Verma, R.K. and Banerjee, P., 1992. Nature of continental crust along the Narmada-Son Lineament inferred from gravity
and deep seismic sounding data. Tecronophysics, 202: 375-397.

The Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL) is a very prominent feature on the tectonic map of India and divides the Indian
peninsula into two parts, the northern part characterised by lower elevations and more positive Bouguer gravity anomalies as
compared to the southern part. The lineament is characterised by a gravity high practically all along its length.
Four published deep seismic sounding (DSS) profiles across the NSL give vital information concerning its origin. An
analysis of the Bouguer gravity field along these profiles has been carried out using all available geological and
velocity/density information. The analysis reveals that the areas immediately south of the NSL are characterised by
higher-density crust in comparison to the areas north of it. This increase in density could have taken place during Mesozoic
to Tertiary times when major tectonic/volcanic activity took place over peninsular India.
The presence of deep seated faults, sediments and anomalous crust shows that the lineament has some characteristics of
a rift valley.

Introduction observing the continuity of the same Deccan trap

The Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL) is one of
the most prominent lineaments in Peninsular In-
dia. It extends from 72.5” to 82S”E and lies
between 21.5” and 24”N. The lineament divides
the Indian peninsula into two parts, the northern
part characterised by a more positive Bouguer
gravity anomaly as compared to the southern
part. On account of its prominence the lineament
has been the subject of geological and geophysi-
cal investigations for many years. Mallet (1869)
and Auden (1933) proposed that the boundary of
the Vindhyan basin follows the Narmada and Son
rivers with no major faulting. Crookshank (19361,
’ Present address: Department of Geology, University of
Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
’ Present address: Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,
Gen. Mahadev Singh Rd., Dehra dun, India.
flows in the Narmada valley and above the Sat-
puras, concluded that it was a rift valley already
existing before the time of the Deccan trap. Au-
den (1949), studying the E-W-trending feeder
dykes of the Deccan traps and the fissure erup-
tion mode of the Deccan lavas, suggested it to be
a zone of crustal upwarping through which the
lavas intruded. Observing that Vindhyan sedi-
ments are confined mostly to the north and
Gondwana sediments only to the south of the
Narmada and Son rivers, West (1962) concluded
that the landmasses on either side of the linea-
ment must have undergone relative vertical
movements several times during the geological
past. Pascoe (1959), concluded from geomorpho-
logical data and other field evidences, that at
least the western part of the lineament has a rift
structure. According to Abmed (19641, the Nar-
mada-Son lineament should be recognised as a
swell in the crust. Choubey (1971) suggested that

0040-1951/92/%05.00 0 1992 - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved

376 R.K. VhKMA AND P l3ANLKJt;t.

the lineament is associated with mantle-reaching and concluded that the Satpura ranges in the
faults. Ghosh (1976), however, argued against any western part of the lineament (associated with a
faulting or rifting and suggested a domal upwarp gravity high) represent a horst-type structure.
with small dips along the limbs, the lineament The lineament is characterised by appreciable
following the crest with sympathetic fractures seismicity all along its length (Chandra, 19771, as
parallel to the main lineament. These were be- well as a number of hot springs exceeding 80°C
lieved to be responsible for the eruption of Dec- (Krishnaswamy and Ravi Shanker, 1980). Figure
can traps. Jain et al. (19841 tried to explain the 2 shows the location of major faults reported by
origin of the NSL as a direct consequence of Nayak et al. (1989) and Murty and Mishra (1981).
collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian Epicenters of major seismic events as well as hot
plate, as a result of which rigid continental crust springs reported so far are also shown in the
broke down along a pre-existing fracture system. figure.
Recently, Kale (1985) has put forward a model of Heat flow values have been reported from
the evolution of the NSL. According to this model, several locations along the Narmada-Son linea-
the Bundelkhand protocontinent in the north and ment. The values (given in mW/m2 and plotted
a southern protocontinent in the south collided in Fig. 2) are: NW of Cambay, 93 units (Verma et
about 2000 Ma B.P. causing the Sakoli orogeny. al., 1968); SE of Cambay, 146 units (Ravi Shanker,
The suture zone of collision was later trans- 1988); Tapti Valley, 47-475 units (Ravi Shanker,
formed into a rift which now is the Narmada-Son 1988); Damua, 62 units (R.U.M. Rao et al., 19701;
lineament. Figure 1 (after Naqvi et al., 1974) near Hoshangabad, 58-65 units (Ravi Shanker,
shows major tectonic features along the NSL and 1988); Sonhat, 109 units (G.V. Rao and R.U.M.
its relationship to protocontinents. Rao, 1983); Pachmarhi, 62 units (Ravi Shanker,
During the past few decades, several geophysi- 1988); Tattapani hot springs, 149 f 21 units
cal studies have been undertaken along this ma- (Ravishanker, 1988).
jor lineament. Qureshy (1964) made qualitative It may be mentioned here that abnormal val-
study of gravity anomalies along the lineament ues (greater than 100 units) have been reported

/
/ BUNDELKHAND PROTOCONTINENT
/ /
/
!6’~ ‘/ r
/ ‘J
, *
/ ,‘Y /’

18N

i
\\
\ //.
7,O’E ?P
I
7a” 86OE

l1200-550Ma I : APROX.AGES OF THE GEOLOGICAL UNIT IN Ma (AFTER NAQUI et. al., 1976 I

Fig. 1. Simplified tectonic map of northern Peninsular India (after Naqvi et al., 1974) showing the location of major protocontinents
around the Narmada-Son Lineament.
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LINEAMENT 377

mostly from areas close to hot springs. However, ture of the crust in the region and inhomogeneity
this does not apply to the Cambay and Sonhat in the crustal composition on either side of the
values. There is no indi~tion at present that the NSL.
region as a whole is characterised by high heat In addition, the DSS profiles have given infor-
flow values. mation concerning the subsurface velocity struc-
Recently, five Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) ture, deep-seated faults, major crustal discontinu-
profiles have been shot across the NSL by Kaila ities and Moho configuration. Here we attempt to
et al. (1981, 1986, 1987 and 1988) under a pro- interpret the gravity data along the lineament
gram called the project “CRUMANSONATA" SpOrl- using this info~ation. Some ideas regarding the
sored by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). evolution of the NSL are presented.
The DSS profiles from east to west are: the (1)
Hirapur-Mandla profile (Kaila et al., 1987); (2)
the Khajuria Kalan-Betul Pulgaon profile (Kaila Geology of the area
and Koteshwar Rao, 1985; Kaila et al., 19851, (3)
the Ujjain-Mahan profile (Kaila, 1986); (4) the Major geologica formations of the area are
Thuadara-Sindad profile (Kaila et al. 1988); and the Bijawar and the Vindhyan formations (Pre-
(5) the Mehmadabad-Billimora profile (Kaila et cambrian), the sediments of the Gondwana basins
al., 1981). Locations of these profiles are shown and the Deccan traps (Fig. 3).
in Figure 3. The DSS studies have confined the The Bijawar is the oldest fo~ation of the
presence of mantle-reaching faults located close area. It surrounds the Bundelkhand granite to
to the Narmada and Tapti rivers, a block struc- the north and has scattered outcrops along the

72'E 74* 76' 78" 80" 82OE

I I I I I I I I I 12s
I I
HEAT- FLOW, SEISMICITY AND HOT SPRINGS ALONG NARMADA - SON
LINEAMENT
I
/ -_
24% 24'N
KM0 25%
SCALE /
p q
<c

2;

21

0 569 75’5
* za 7s”c
--_ FAULTS

*18X LOCATION OF SEISMIC EVENT m 7L

II ..-.__
-___. .._ .-. ___.- 0,p.o LOCATION OF SEISMIC EVENT m < 4 -i$N
F I I I I I 1
72-E 74* 76' 80" 82'E
78'
Fig. 2. Locations of seismic events, hot springs and heat flow values along the NSL. Faults after Murty and Mishra f19811, seismicity
after Ramakrishna Rao (19891, hot springs after Krishnaswamy and Ravishanker (1980). Reference for heat flow are given in the
text.
 80°

26*

GBjGUMLbr--

SIMOEGA1
wq[;lAR~ v ~INDCIRE vm - sS

ABEREVlATlONS
i”;clALtUVlUM
~g.xM~, T l.nlr,.n. -... AR-ARAVALLI OG - DONGARGARH GRANITE GB - GANGA BASIN
VINDHYAN m DhflKWAM/ ~UNCLAS$IFlED BG - BUNDELKHAND ~6 - MAHANAot BASIN
e.._.-- GfUtNITE DS - DELHI SYSTEM
ARAVAL L I PO - PACHMARi BASIN
@!I DECCAN TRAP ~t1sS & SCHIST CHB - CHHATISGARH RASIN OT - DECCAN TRAP
VP _ vlNnMYAN BASIN

Fig. 3. Geological map of the Narmada-Son Valley, Vindhyan basin and adjacent areas after Ceol. Survey of India ~G.S.1.. 19621. Location of MS profiles is shown in the figure.
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON
NSL. In all probability it underlies the Vindhyan
formation over large areas.
The vast Proterozoic Vindhyan basin extends
over an area of nearly l~,~ km2 of which only
60,000 km2 is exposed and the rest is covered by
younger formations, mostly Deccan traps and al-
luvium. The basin, shaped like a truncated oval
around the Bundelkhand granite, with its convex
side facing south, is supposed to have been formed
as a consequence of the Eastern Ghats orogeny,
(Valdiya, 1982; Sarkar, 1983). The thickness of
the shale, sandstone and limestone belonging to
the Vindhyan formation has been estimated to be
1.8-2.4 km (Soni et al., 1987). The whole se-
quence is characterised by shallow-water deposi-
tion (Murty and Mishra, 1981). Sedimentation
probably extended over a long period of time,
from 1200 to about 550 Ma (Crawford, 1969;
Crawford and Compston, 1970). The whole basin
subsided gradually along the line of structural
weakness in the form of boundary faults. In the
south, the Narmada-Son line presents itself as a
fundamental tectonic line of Precambrian origin
as is evident by the fact that the Proterozoic
Vindyan rocks do not extend south of the Nar-
mada-Son line and the Permian and Mesozoic
Gondwanas are likewise not found to the north of
this lineament (Auden, 1949; West, 1962). The
Vindhyan rocks are strikingly undisturbed
throughout the entire basin, except along the
southern and the western margins against the
Satpuras and Aravallis, respectively, where these
are highly sheared, brecciated and severely folded
(Valdiya, 1982). Severe folding of Vindhyan sedi-
ments along the southern margin of the basin,
close to the course of the Narmada over a length
of 6 km has been noted by Choubey (1970). It is
possible that the faults have been rejuvenated
periodically and the basin has undergone vertical
movements from time to time. The basin is char-
acterised by igneous activity mainly along the
western, southern and southeastern margins.
It is interesting to note the existence of plugs
of 1140 f 20-Ma-old kimberlite in the Son Valley,
including upper Vindhyan in Panna district
(~athur, 1962; Crawford and Compston, 1970)
and in southern Mirzapur district (Chattopadhyay
and Vankataraman, 1977). The carbonatites and
LINEAMENT 379
kimberlite bodies occurring in rows confirm the
deep-seated nature of the Narmada-Son linea-
ment.
The known Gondwana deposits (Upper Per-
mian to Cretaceous) along the NSL are in the
Son-Mahanadi and the Satpura basins. The Sat-
pura basin may be an extension of the Godavari
Gondwana graben. A 4-km-thick Gondwana basin
has been inferred near Wardha from gravity data.
The Satpura basin has a maximum thickness of
2.4 km near Pachmarhi (Verma et al., 1988).
The Deccan traps cover a large part of the
Indian peninsula and are found practically all
along the NSL as well as in the areas to the south
and north of the Iineament. The traps have been
dated from 101 to about 62 Ma (Wellman and
McElhinny, 1970; Alexander, 1981). It is widely,
believed by several geologists that large areas
along the NSL served as channels through which
fissure eruptions took place. The aeromagnetic
anomaly map of NSL (Gupta, 1983) supports this
contention.
General topo~phy of the area
Figure 4 shows an average elevation (15’ X 1S’)
map of the area (after Survey of India, unpubl.).
The map clearly shows that the area to the south
of the Narmada and Son rivers is higher mostly
along the Satpura mountains and the Chhotanag-
pur plateau to the east of 82”E. North of the river
Narmada lie the Vindhyan mountains which are
less prominent as compared to the Satpura
mountains. The area south of the river Narmada
has experienced uplift during post-Deccan trap
times as shown by Gondwana sediments of Pach-
marhi basin at a height of over 1.0 km (Choubey,
1971). It is also worth noting that all the rivers
originating in the Vindhyan mountains flow north.
Nature of the gravity field along the NSL
A Bouguer anomaly map along the NSL (Fig.
5) has been prepared on the basis of data ob-
tained by the NGRI (1981) and Gulatee (1956).
The major features apparent from the map are
discussed below.
380
Between the rivers Narmada and Tapti (73-
75”E) a gravity high (Hl-H2 in Fig. 4) of nearly
100 km width is aligned in the E-W direction.
This high is associated with the Satpura moun-
tains and is in itself an anomalous feature since
the high region is expected to be a Bouguer low
due to expected compensation. The Satpura high
has a m~imum value of - 25 mgal which remains
flat over a wide region and then sharply falls to
-50 mgal regional value along the course of the
rivers Narmada and Tapti. Two DSS profiles, one
from Ujjain to Mahan (Kaila, 1986) and another
from Thuadara to Sindad (Kaila et al., 1988) cut
across this high.
Another gravity high (H3) near Multai
(21”56’N, 78”08’E) attains a peak value of -20
mgal against a regional background of -40 mgal.
The Khajuria-Kalan-Kheri-Multai-Puigaon
DSS profile was shot across this high (Kaiia and
Koteswara Rao, 19851. The Jabalpur gravity high
(22”46’N, 78”48’E) is elliptical in shape, trends
NE-SW and extends over a length of nearly 250
km, with a maximum width of nearly 70 km. This
high fH7) has an amplitude of 40 mgal. The area
is covered with thin Deccan trap which have a
maximum thickness of about 500 m, as deter-
mined on the Hirapur-Mandla DSS profile (Kaila
et al., 1987).
A long narrow elongated chain of gravity highs
H13-H16, extends from 78 to 82”E between 24
and 25”N, lying to north of the river Son and
Fig. 4. Average elevation (15’ x 15’ areas) map of the Narmada-Son Lineament and adjoining areas (after Survey of
unpubl). Contour interval 100 ft.
K.K W’KMA AND f’ 13A”ul-KJtF
south of the Bundelkhand complex in the Bar-
garha-Satna-Bakshaho region. This chain ex-
tends over a length of nearIy 450 km, with an
approximate width of nearly 2.5-30 km and runs
parallel to the course of the river Son. Elongated
patches of Vindhyan and Bijawar formation are
exposed here along the southern margin of the
Bundelkhand compiex. Plugs of high-densi~ ul-
trabasic rocks (kimberlites) have been reported to
intrude the upper Vindhyan in this area (Mathur,
1962; Chattopadhyay and Venkataraman, 1977).
The long chain of gravity highs paralleling the
course of the rivers Narmada and Son, always
lying to the south, is interrupted by the NNW-
SSE-trending Satpura Gondwana basin gravity
low (L3) and the Mahanadi basin gravity low
(L7). The gravity lows near Nagpur, Wardha (L2)
and Pachmarhi (L3) are perhaps the northwest-
ern extension of the Godavari Gondwana graben.
To the north of the NSL, the Bundelkhand grav-
ity low (LlO) is a prominent feature with an
amplitude of -20 mgal, centered at 70 km west
of Bijawar. It covers almost one-third of the out-
crop of Bundelkhand granite. Further west. two
prominent gravity lows are located over the Vind-
hyan formation near Ujjain (Ll3) and lndore
(L14) with extreme values of - 70 and - 85 mgal,
respectively.
It is interesting to note from Figures 4 and 5
that the Satpura mountains as well as the
Chhotanagpur plateau, are associated with a
381
Bouguer gravity high which is nearly parallel to
the course of the rivers Narmada and Son. The
high extends over a length of nearly 1000 km and
is interrupted only by the Satpura Gondwana
basin (22-23”N, 78-79”E) and the Mahanadi
Gondwana basin (23-24”N, 81-82”E).
Analysis of gravity field alcrngthe DSS pdiles
Four DSS profiles have been shot across the
NSL. These include, the Hirapur-Mandla profile
located in the eastern part (22..5-24S”N, 7%
SOS”E), the Khajuria Kalan-Pulgaon profile
C20.8-23.5”N, 77-78.3”E) in the central part, the
Ujjain-Mahan profile (20.5-23,2”N, 75.7-77”Ef
in the western part and the Thuadara-Sindad
profile (20%22.8*N, 74%75.5”E), also in the
western part. Location of all the profiles is shown
in Figures 3 and 5. The information provided by
the DSS sections indudes the velocity as a func-
tion of depth, the presence of deep seated faults,
the undulation of the Moho, as well as the near

HIRAPUR-MANDLA PROFILE

7fcE 79’E 8O”E SlP

;, t?O’E 81’E
7gE SCALE
KM0 20 LO 60 80 KM Contour Interval - 5 mgals
I

RHR -BAINAR GDR-GADARWARA NRS - NARSINGHPUR SW-SOWAGPUR

BJ R - 8 I JAWAR PCH- PAWMARHI RJP - RAJPUR ST N - SATNA
T R 0 - TARADEH I

Fig. 6. Residual anomaly map of the area between 22 and WN, and between 78 and 81”E corresponding to 4th order polynomial
surface accepted for interpreting gravity field along the Hirapur-Mandla profile.
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON
surface sediments. This information can be used
to compute the gravity effect due to different
factors. The computed gravity field should be
able to explain the observed Bouguer gravity
anomalies (regional or residual, as the case may
be) to a reasonable extent. In order to do so, all
the compressional velocity values provided by the
DSS study were transformed into corresponding
density values following the well-established ve-
locity-density conversion curves prepared by
Ludwig et al. (1970). The gravity effect of differ-
ent sedimentary basins as well as crustal layers
showing inhomogeneity was computed using the
velocity information available. The gravity effect
of Moho undulation and offsets was included.
The observed gravity field corrected for these
factors should explain the anomaly. Any signifi-
cant anomaly present after applying these correc-
tions needs to be explained in terms of some
unknown features. These have to be postulated
on the basis of geological/ geophysical considera-
tions.
Analysis of gravity field along the Hirapur-Mandla
DSS profile
Figure 6 shows the residual anomaly map of
the area bounded by 22” and 25”N, and 78” and
81”E, after subtraction of a fourth-degree polyno-
mial trend. Major gravity highs and lows are well
brought out in this map. The location of the
Hirapur-Mandla profile is shown in the figure.
Figure 7 shows the DSS section along the
Hirapur-Mandla profile. The section suggests the
presence of several near-surface faults
(Fl, F2, F4) and a deep-seated fault (F3) near
Katangi. The figure also shows a major sedimen-
tary basin (nearly 5 km thick) between S.P.40 and
S.P.105. The Moho shows undulation at depths
generally more than 40 km.
In the central part of the profile, layer IIb
(Fig. 7) corresponds to the Vindhyan sediments
deposited in the graben between Narshingarh
and Katangi. Granitic basement with density 2.70
g/cm3 is assumed to underlie this basin. The
density of the Vindhyan sediments as determined
LINEAMENT 383
from the laboratory measurements and velocity
values reported, is taken to be 2.60 g/cm3. As-
suming a density contrast of -0.1 g/cm3 be-
tween the sediments and underlying basement,
the Taradehi gravity low (between Narshingarh
and Katangi, Fig. 6) could be explained as shown
in Figure 8.
The Jabalpur gravity high (H7 in Fig. 5) be-
tween Katangi and Mandla in the southern part
of the profile is a major gravity feature in this
region. This high is not an isolated feature but
forms a part of a continuous chain of gravity
highs (Hl-H2-H7-Hll) aligned nearly parallel to
the rivers Narmada and Son. The high appears to
be related to the tectonic framework of the NSL.
Surprisingly, DSS crustal section does not provide
any clue to the source of this major gravity fea-
ture except that it shows the Jabalpur-Mandla
crustal block as a horst-type feature. The Moho
undulation cannot explain this gravity high. The
anomaly was continued downward to a depth of
few km. A plot of the maximum amplitude of the
anomaly vs. the depth of continuation showed
that the amplitude increased sharply as the depth
exceeded 7 km. This was taken as the depth of
the causative body. A massive high-density intru-
sive body in the upper crust with a density con-
trast of +O.l g/cm3 with respect to the normal
crustal density is envisaged in order to explain
the Jabalpur high. Figure 8 shows the modified
crustal section and computed gravity effect which
matches well with the residual gravity anomaly in
this area.
The gravity high located near Bakshaho (S.P.
20, Fig. 8) forms a part of the chain of gravity
highs (H13-H16), located south of the Bundelk-
hand massif (Fig. 5). Underlying rocks in the area
are the Vindhyans underlain by the Bijawar for-
mations, known to have volcanics. The area is
believed to be tectonically, disturbed (Mathur,
1962; Crawford and Compston, 1970). The gravity
high has been explained in terms of a basic intru-
sive (having a density contrast of +O.l g/cm3)
underlying the Vindhyan/ Bijawar formation. It is
envisaged that a chain of intrusive bodies under-
lying the area to the south of the Bundelkhand
massif is related to the basic intrusives/volcanics
which form a part of the Bijawar formation.
 ILK. VEKMA AND P. BANEKJEI.

.
W
J
i;
0
E

HHV9H’JNISklVN- 2 _bnGen I

I
1 1; II I
I\
’ II

(W)o Hld30
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LINEAMENT 385

Analysis of the Khajuria Kalan-Pulgaon
file
The gravity field along this profile (location
shown in Fig. 3) shows a gravity low near S.P.75-
S.P.100 and a gravity high south of Rahatgaon
(Fig. 9). The DSS section does not give any sug-
gestion regarding the gravity low or the high. The
computed gravity effect of sediments (below sea
level) is of the order of 5 mGa1 and is negligible
as shown by curve 3 in Figure 10. The low is
probably caused by granitic rocks in the crys-
talline basement.
The gravity high has been inte~reted in terms
of a high-density intrusive in the upper part of
DSS pro- the crust and having an inverted funnel shape as
shown in Figure 10.
It may be seen from Figure 9 and 10 that the
area south of the river Narmada is characterised
by several faults (Fl, F2, F3). The area has un-
dergone uplift (Fig. 4) during post-Gondwana
times as discussed earlier. It is possible that the
uplift is related to the basic intrusives which came
up through the deep-seated faults.
Analysis of gravity field along the Ujjuin-Mahan
profile
The U~ain-~ahan profile cuts across a very
prominent gravity high associated with the Sat-

L th ORDER RESIDUAL

cOMPUTEo

DISTANCE,Km
-10 - --10

-20 -

SURFACE GEOLOGY - [RSON +-R NAAMAOA

--_--_ VVV”
-0 - ” ” ” “Y” v ” v ” v “Y” ” v v ”
-_---
-c-- vvv v v V” v ““VVV
- n _ _.

d 0 0
2
;L 10 10

g 20 MODEL I NTERPRETEO 20

Ia) INDEX
m ALLUVIUM ~DECCAN TRAPS m V~NOHYAN ~BIJAWARS ~~ASI~~NTRUSIVES

I+GRANITIC BASEMENT

Fig. 8. Interpreted crustal section along the Hirapur-Mandla DSS profile. The gravity low in the western part has been interpreted
in terms of sedimentary basin and gravity high in the northern and southern parts in terms of basic intrusives within the crust.
38h K.K. VtKMA ANU P. HANI-KJI:I

pura horst confined between the rivers Narmada structure is also present in the Ujjain-Dorwa
and Tapti. The Satpura gravity high (H2 in Fig. 5) section which should have produced a minor
is a regional feature which extends for a length of gravity high. In the southern part of the profile,
over 300 km between 74 and 77”E. The DSS nearly 500-m-thick Deccan traps are also present,
section along this profile is shown in Figure 11. out of which 400 m lie above MSL. Apart from
The section reveals a block structure which is this a very thick layer of Gondwana sediments
bounded by two deep-seated mantle-reaching with a maximum thickness of 2 km is present in
faults (Fl and F2) lying close to the Narmada and the Dorwa-Mahan section of the profile. Gravity
Tapti rivers (Fig. 1I a). The entire Satpura gravity effects for all the layers above and below MSL
high is associated with this block and its origin were computed taking density contrast with re-
must be associated with the regional tectonic spect to a standard crustal basement (density 2.67
features instead of being a local phenomenon. g/cm”). A density value of 2.4 g/cm”, typical of
North of the river Narmada, the profile passes the Gondwana sediments, has been assigned to
over a gravity low situated over the Barwaha layer II (Fig. 12b). The observed anomaly cor-
horst centred around Indore (Fig. 51. The gravity rected for the effects of all the shallow layers is
low is not readily correlatable with the exposed shown by curve 2 in Figure 12~.
geological features. The DSS profile shows a mere DSS shows a thickening of the crust below 35
500-m-thick layer of Deccan trap and Lameta, km depth in the Dorwa-Mahan section. The ef-
Vindhyan and Bijawar sediments most of which fect of the crustal downwarping should produce a
lie above the mean sea level (MSL). A horst-type long wavelength anomaly which is absent along

/ /-’ OBSERVED BOUGUER ANOMALY y-40

L ASSUMED REGIONAL
J-

JTH
NORTH

800
0
800
_
0
4 ALLUVIUM
mDCctAN TRAP ~GONDWANA ~VINOHYAN+EI JAWAR ~GRANITI( BASEMENT d$t FAULT
(b) El SHALLOW DEPTH SECTION ALONG KHAJURIA KALAN-PULGAON DSS PROFILE
SPO SP25 SP,75 SPlOO SP90A ~~130~ SP160~ SPZOO, SP458 SP65 B
b
0
b
----y+z% _
&
z
:- -
* &
:
& &

-I -_ ,__. _ -_-

r,
F2- - -_
o 501 -I
--

(c) 1 SW5
+ ShOT POlNl _- REFLECTOR SEGMENT $$ DEEP FAULT + MOHO OIS(ONTINUITY

DEEP CRUSTAL SECTION ( AFTER KAILA ET.AL.,1985 )

Fig. 9. The observed gravity field (a), shallow (b) and deep (c) crustal section along the Khajuria Kalan-Pulgaon DSS profile (after
Kaila et al., 1985).
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LINEAMENT 387

this profile. The velocity/depth function along
the Ujjain-Mahan DSS profile suggests that the
crustal density at 30-35 km depth should be of
the order of 3.0-3.05 g/cm3 (Kaila et al., 1986).
Assuming a density contrast of -0.25 g/cm3
between the lower crust and the mantle, a correc-
tion for the crustal thickness variation was com-
puted (curve 3, Fig. 12~). The observed anomaly
corrected for all the shallow layers and for the
effect of Moho undulation is shown by curve 4 in
Figure 12~.
Thus we see that after applying geological cor-
rections, the gravity high between the river Nar-
mada and Mahan is further increased in magni-
tude. Now we are left with an anomaly which can
be explained only in terms of inhomogeneity

OBSERVE0 BOUGUER ANOflALY

: 4TH OEGREE RESIOUAL
3 (ORRECTION FOR SHALLOW LAYERS
-20 4 COMPUTE0 ANOMALY FOR THE

Q
r HIGH DENSITY MOOEL
1

-60

SP2OOA SP4SB SP650

120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300
0 I 1 I I 1 1 I I I I
+fi+. *

El ALLUVIUM q OE(CAN TRAPS q GONOWANAS aGRANITES

VINOHYANS+
BIJAWARS q ASSUMED HIGH vf FAULTSSHOWN BY OSS
OENSITY 'NTRUS'VE 2.67-DENSITY OF UPPER CRUST IN GM/CM3
SURVEY

Ap-DENSITY CONTRAST ASSUtlEO FOR SEDIMENTARY LAYERS ANOlNTRUSlVE BoOy

Fig. 10. A model for interpreting gravity high in the southern part of the Khajuria Kalan-Rahatgaon profile. The model suggests
the presence of high-density intrusive in the upper part of the crust.
388 R.K. VtRMA AND I’. BANEKJI-b

within the crust itself. A close study of the DSS al. (1986) along the Ujjain-Dorwa and Dorwa-
information provides some clue to the solution. Mahan sections were converted to density-depth
The interval velocity functions given by Kaila et functions and corresponding crustal sections were

IJJJAIN- MAHAN D S S PROFILE

(a)

[yy DECCAN TRAP p2.q VI NDH YAN ClUARTZ I TE

m /
BI JAWARS El GONDWANAS p7-1 GRANITES

FAULTS WITH DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT DURING GONDWANA PERIOD

//

v SPCO SHOT POINT

REFLECTOR SEGMENTS FROM SINGLE SOURCE DATA
-- REFLECTOR SEGMENTS FROM REVERSED DATA
-,-.- REFRACTOR SEGMENTS WITH BOUNDARY VELOCITY ( km/s 1
3 DEEP FAULT WITH DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT DURING PRECAMBRIAN PERIOD

* FAULT WITH DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT DURING GONDWANA PERIOD

n-n77 MOHO DISCONTINUITY

Fig. 11 Shallow (a) and deep (b) crustal section along the Ujjain-Mahan DSS profile after Kaila et al., (1985). Location of the
profile is shown in Figs. 3 and 5.
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LINEAMENT 389

prepared (Fig. 13). It is apparent that the position between 12 and 40 km depth from its
Dorwa-Mahan section of the profile which rep- counterpart to the north of the river Narmada.
resents the Satpura horst, differs in crustal com- The intermediate and lower crust is more dense

y;;
2 -OBSERVED ANOMALY CORRECT& FCi vnlMFNTAD”

\‘\ kJ .‘/ 3 - CORRECTION FOR MOHO VARIATION ASSUMING A+‘=-0.25

*\
4-BOUGUER ANOMALY CORRECTED FOR THE EFFECT OF
SEDIMENTS AND MOHO VARIATION.

V
’ 5 -COMPUTED ANOMA‘LY FOR HIGH DENSITY MODEL SHOWN
‘4’
I I DISTAICE (KM) 1 I I
-_ 50 lOO( 150 2 200 250 300
-

(b)

(a)

.. 1;\\\\\ \ \\\\\\\\\\\
I - 1< L

El
v V v DECCAN TRAPS ASSUMED HIGH DESITY BLOCK
#
FAULTS
DSS
SHOWN BY
SURVEY
ASSUMED MODEL FOR MOHO 1 ASSUMED FAULTS IN
VARIATION GRAVITY INTERPRETATION
:
GONDWANAS

Fig. 12 Interpretation of gravity field along the Ujjain-Mahan DSS profile. The observed gravity field has been corrected for the
Deccan traps, Gondwanas and Vindhyan sediments near the surface, as well as Moho undulations. The corrected gravity field has
been interpreted in terms of high-density crustal feature in the southern part and granitic intrusive in the northern part.
390

and likely to be made up of basic or ultra-basic
materials like amphibolite and gabbro. This
causes a lateral inhomogeneity with a density
contrast of nearly +O.l g/cm”. Thus the Satpura
gravity high has been explained in terms of a
densified crustal block as shown in Figure 12a.
The northern margin of the block is marked by
the Dorwa fault, whereas the southern margin is
less steep and suggests the presence of another
deep-seated fault between the river Tapti and
Mahan.
The Indore gravity low in the northern part of
the profile cannot be explained in terms of any
feature present in the DSS section. The gravity
low has an amplitude of -25 mgal against a
regional background of -55 mgal. There are
evidences of granitic intrusions during the late
Archaean along and around the NSL (Dongar-
garh granite in the Satpura domain, Sarkar, 19831,
and in the Narmada valley (Murty and Mishra,
1981; Kale, 1985). The Indore gravity low can be
explained quantitatively in terms of granitic body
(density contrast -0.24 g/cm”) at a depth of
8-14 km as suggested by downward continuation
on the basis of maximum amplitude vs. depth
curves. The model for the body is shown in Fig-
ure 12a.
Analysis of grauity field along the Thuadara-
Sindad DSS profile
The Thuadara-Sindad DSS profile (Figs. 3
and 5) cuts across the western part of the Satpura
gravity high. The gravity field along this profile

3 UJJAIN- DORWA-
OORWA MAHAN
DENSITY GM/CM=
2.4 2.6 2.a
J

DORWA- MAHAN

UJJAIN-DORWA

60-1 (01 DENSITY-DEPTH RELATIONSHIP lb) CRUSTAL SECTION

[+++I GRANITIC ROCK m INTERMEDIATE ROCK

Fig. 13. (a) Density vs. depth relationships for Ujjain-Dorwa and Dorwa-Mahan sections of the Ujjain-Mahan DSS profile.
Density values obtained from velocity function given by Kaila et al. (1985) using the curve given by Ludwig et al. (1970). For
comparison, density vs. depth section along the Kavali-Udipi profile (after Kaila et al., 1979) representing southern Indian shield is
also shown in the figure (b). The figure shows that crustal density is higher in the southern part of the profile (Dorwa-Mahan
section) than in the northern part (Ujjain-Donva section).
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LtNEAMENT 391

stays at a level of about -25 mgal over a wide
region and sharply falls to a regional value of
-40 mgat. to the south of the river Tapti,
The DSS section shows a 5~-~-m-t~i~k
Deccan trap layer with a velocity value of 4.7-5.0
km/s (density, 2.49-2.54 g/cm3). But this cannot
explain the gravity high in this region. The DSS
depth section as shown in Figure 14 reveals a
number of sedimental layers at the top of the
crust. The gravity effect af the Mesozoic sedi-
ments and Moho undulation is shown in Figure
14. The interval velocity function (Fig. 14) shows
four velocity discontinuities in the crust.
A comparison of the intervai velocity function
along this profile with that afong the Ujjain-
Dorwa, Dorwa-Mahan and Hirapur-Mandla
profiles shows that the lower crust in this region
is characterised by higher velocity. The DSS sec-
tion shows a number of refIector segments along
this profile. Some of these could be due to
changes in density of the material, We have as-
sumed a simplified model for high density intru-
sives in the lower crust (IO-30 km depth) with a
density contrast of -I-O.1 g/cm3 in order to ex-
plain the gravity field which has been corrected
for the sediments and the upper crustal layers
(Fig. 35).
The faults shown by DSS studies may not be of
shaliow nature. ft is suggested that as in the case
of Ujjain-Mahan profile, block structure of the

0 fJ%X&XYD BOUGUER

- @ fwwM~; ANOMALY

@ GRAVITY EFFECT OF
OF SEDfME#TS
DECCAN TRAP
BELOW MSL
@ GRAVITY EFFECT OF
UNOULATION OF
MONO BOUM)ARY

h 30
AV. DENSllY I 2.9 30
i%
40
i I 40

VELOCITIES --L 3 5 7 19 -+3 5 7 9 -3 5 , 7, ,I, 9

KMlS , . .I,
LEGEND
m DECCAN TRAP w MOHO BOUNDARY 4.9 -‘P’ WAVE VELOCITY. KM/ S
m GONQWANA 2.50- VELOCI”IY .CMICM3
+ ++ CRYSTALLtNE BASEMENT ft,Fl,*---- FAULT5 AS PER OS5

Fig. 14. Cntstal section along DSS profite Thuadara to Sindad, showing various sedimentary layers and the Maho undulation.
Density values abtained from P-wave velocities are given in brackets. The observed gravity field, assumed regional, gravity effect of
sediments and Moho variation are shown in the figure.
 K.IC. W:KMA AND P RANI-.KJbli

RESIDUAL BOUGUER ANOMALY

RESIDUAL ANOMALY CORRECTED FOR

TNE EFFECTS OF SEOlMEr415 OECC&N

VELOCITVIKMIS) -? , 5 . ? I 9)I ‘j ,s .I I
,‘I -3 s 7
Lu-

LEGEND
~DECCAN TRAP - MOHO f3UUNOARY 3.5 - P WAVE VELOCITY,KM/S

12.31. DENSITY, GM/CM3

ILa"lBASIC INTRUSIVES

Fig. 15. Section along the Thuadara-Sindad profile. The residual anomaly corrected for sediments shows gravity highs which have
been interpreted in terms of high-densi~ blocks within the crust.

crust is also present along this profile. The blocks
bounded by faults Fl and F2, F3 and F4 are more
dense than the adjacent blocks. These faults may
extend to a considerable depth.
Discussion of results
Figure 16 shows the interval velocity vs. depth
relationship for different DSS profiles cutting
across the NSL. For comparison purposes the
velocity-depth relationship along Kavali-Udipi
profile in Dharwar craton of India (Kaila et al.,
1979) is also shown. Although these relationships
do not show a consistently higher velocity (or
density) to the south of the NSL, there is consid-
erable variation in velocity (or density) along dif-
ferent sections of the lineament over the areas to
its south as well as north. At least two profiles
(Broach-Navsari and Dorwa-Mahan) show a
higher than normal velocity in the lower crust to
the south of the NSL.
The range of compressional wave velocities for
common rock types constituting the crust and the
upper mantle at different pressures (1,4, 10 kbar)
after Birch (1960, 1961) and Christensen (1965) is
shown in Fig. 17. Generally it is believed that the
crustal composition changes from granitic (in the
upper part) to intermediate, basic or ultrabasic in
the lower parts. The transition from one rock
type to another may take place gradually or
abruptly. Sometimes such changes in composition
can be detected by a sudden break in the veloc-
ity-depth function. From the experimental re-
sults obtained at high pressures, the granitic rocks
can be assigned a velocity range of 5.8-6.4 km/s,
intermediate rocks 6.2-6.8 km/s and basic crust
6.6-7.6 km/s. Velocities greater than 7.8 km/s
are generally attributed to upper mantle material
or highly ultrabasic rocks (eciogite, peridotite,
dunite, etc.). Based on these observations the
crustal composition along different profiles across
the NSL is shown in Figure 18. The sections have
been modified at places on the basis of gravity
interpretation. It is apparent from Figure 17 that
densification of the crust has taken place in the
southern part of the NSL. The exact time when
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LINEAMENT
393

this densification could have taken place cannot the Satpura mountains were formed resulting in
be determined. It could have been during the the uplift of Gondwana sediments in Pachmarhi
post-Mesozoic when considerable volcanic activ- Hills. The basic material could have moved up
ity took place over the Deccan plateau or when through deep-seated faults.

INTERVAL VELOCITY, KM/S

3.0 il.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0

.KAVALI -UDiPi (1)

DORWA-MAHAN (4)

MULTAl -PULGAONf7)

KHAJlJRIA KALAN
L KHERI 16) - -
UJJAIN - DORWA (3)

10

THUADARA-SINDAD(l0)
BROACH-NAVSARI
(5)

HIRAPUR - MANDLA

E
Y

_ I . q. n. KAVALI -UDIPI (PENINSULAR INDIAN SHIELD )

2 - MEHMAOABAD-BROACH ( N. OF NARMADA)
- 3 -.- UJJAIN-DORWA ( N. OF NARMADA )
4 -x- DORWA-MAHAN ( 5. OF NARMADA I
- 5 ---- BROACH -NAVSARI ( S. OF NARMADA I
6 -a- KHAJURfA KALAN-PAGARIAHAT (N.OF NARMADA)
50 -
7 -**- BETUL-PULGAON ( S.OF NARMADA 1
_ 6 -4- HIRAPUR - JABERA I N.OF NARMADA 1
9 -I*- JABALPUR-MANDLA (S.OF NARMADA)

10 -.-- THUADARA - SINDAD ( 5 OF NARMADA)

6OL i
Fig. 16. Interval velocity vs. depth functions obtained for different parts of four DSS profiles discussed in the text. These functions
suggest real variations of density/composition within the crust in different parts of NSL.
394 K K. VEKMA AND P. HANLKJhC

Summary and conclusions southern margin of the NSL is of higher density

as compared to the areas to its north. How and
The area to the south of the rivers Narmada when this densification took place is an important
and Son is characterised by prominent gravity question.
highs. Analysis of the Bouguer gravity field along Many geologists believe that the NSL has a
four DSS profiles cutting across the NSL has rift-type structure (Biswas, 1982). Normally, a rift
been carried out using all available information. should be bounded by deep-seated faults, filled
The analysis reveals that the crust along the with younger sediments (in comparison to the

p = 1 kbar
ANORTHOSITE - -

DUNITE - l -

ECLOGITE - * *

AMPHIEOLITE - -
GABBRO - -4
SERPENTINITE - I U
GNEISS - --
DIORITE GRANODKiftITE- I
GRANITE -

5.0 5.4 5.6 6.2 6.6 7.0 7.4 7.8

VELOCITY, KM/S

P : 4 kbar
ANORTHOSI TE -
I--
DUNITE - x

ECLOGITE - “I .ILx

AMPHIBOL ITE - W’ Qd

GABBRO - D L

SERPENTINITE- * 1.

GNEISS,SCH6T -
DIORITE GRANODIORITE - -
GRANITE - -

5.0 5.4 5.6 6.2 6.6 7.0 7.4 7.6

VELOCITY, KM/S

ANORTHOSITE
r
P = 1Okbar
-
DUNITE - * *

ECLOGITE - -

AMPHIBOLITE - HL 0

GABBRO - .

SERPENTINITE - * 1

GNEISS, SCHIST -
DIORITE GRANODIORITE- -
GRANITE - VELOCITY, KM /S

5.0 5.4 5.6 6.2 6.6 7.0 7.4 7.6

Fig. 17. Range of compressional wave velocities for different rock types at pressures of 1, 4 and 10 kbar (after Birch, 1960, 1961)
and Christensen (1965).
THE CONTINENTAL CRUST ALONG THE NARMADA-SON LINEAMENT 39s

&a-
,“;=&
Qzd
CL<
xrd ---
’ XM,S GM/
Cd tads GM/Cd
Tyq 7
6.0 2.61
i.2 2.59
++ +
i.0 2.6;
5.0+ + + +
* +-4 2.69 4.34
+ +
*d- + +*i
i,o 2.69 TO * :6: 6.25 2.15 cc +
‘.O 2.91 5.45 6.5 2.8; rs +
vv v x x II vvv* IV v
Y v x z vvv v v v
v v v xxx vvv \ ‘V v
v v vvv
* * v v v
V v v x =
v v
v v Y x x
VY v
V v v * x
v v Y Y
v v v xx x .P 2.54

I A A x % khh
A A Ah 8‘
xx %
hh A r, h n ,
x x h n A
‘.3 3.03
X% * LAAI
‘.6 3.19 6.7 2.86
I!I.1 3.3
‘. 9 3.22

50

60 -

GRANtTiC ROCK x ,, INTEMEDiAT~ ROCK

tC+Y&-&&&KM/S t Ixt (6.2-6.8 KM/S! ~~~~OK~,S~ ~~~~~~.~O~~l~~
INDEX @irJ7J UPPER MANTLE (DUNITE ECLOGITE QtC. or MIXTURE OF THESE)
( 3 7.8 KM/S 1
Fig. 18. Crustai density sections along different parts of the NSL along DSS profiles. For this purpose the P-wave velocities
(obtained from interval vek~~it~function) were converted into density, which was in turn interpreted in terms of possibte rock types
which constitute the CIJJS~. At places the sections were modified on the basis of gravity inte~retation.

areas to its side), and have an anomalous compo-
sition. All these features are not present at all
places along the NSL.
The results obtained by DSS do skow the
presence of deep-seated faults (which reach the
upper mantle) at several, places along the NSL,
Higher (than normal) density of the crust in sev-
eral areas along with other geophysical character-
istics show that the NSL has some features of a
rift vatfey, although it is not a typical rift as in
Africa.
As pointed out by West (19621 and Choubey
(1970, 1971) the NSL has been activated severaf
times since the Precambrian. The last phase was
during the post-Gondwana times. These pro-
cesses have left their imprint in the form of
anomalous gravity field, a study of which reveals
that densifi~ation of the crust has taken place,
probably as a result of movement of basic mate-
riaf from the upper mantle, practically a11 along
its length. The presence of prominent aerornag-
netic anomalies (Gupta, 1983) all along its length,
high heat fiow fRavi Shanker, 1988), hot springs
~~ishnaswamy and Ravi Shanker, 198tl, as weI1
as noticeable seismic@ suggests that the tinea-
ment is an active feature, even at present.
Abmed, Fe, 1964. The line of Narmada-Son Vafley. Curr. Sci.,
33: 362-363.
396 t<.k Vt.KMA AN,) t’ tL\\t t<.,t.t-

Alexander, P.O., 1981. Age and duration of Deccan trap eament-A continental rift system in Central India t’rom
volcanism: K-Ar evidence. In: K.V. Subba Rao and R.N. deep seismic soundings. In: M. Barazangi and I_ Brown
Sukheswala (Editors), Deccan Volcanism. Geol. Sot. India (Editors), Reflection Seismology: A global perspective.
Mem., 3: pp. 244-258. Geodyn. Ser., AGU, 13: 133-150.
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Auden, J.B., 1949. Dykes in Western India. A discussion of profile across the Narmada lineament from deep seismic
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India, 3: 123-157. Seismic Soundings and Crustal Tectonics, AEG Publ., pp.
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