Geodynamic and Geologic Evolution of Indian Continent: A Brief History

Abstract

The super dynamic Indian peninsular shield remained quite active during its entire course of geologic history, compared to all other similar terrains in the world. It is associated with distinct geologic, geotectonic and magmatic signatures. Indian shield underwent large scale deformation and degeneration at crust and lithospheric mantle level, due to sustained thermo-geodynamic perturbations, specially during the Cretaceous period, when the Earth was passing through an extremely dynamic phase. Its original texture and composition is no more the same, as revealed by deep scientific drillings carried out in Deccan volcanic terrain, which is considered one of the largest flood basaltic provinces on the surface of the Earth. Historically, it has been associated with a moderate intraplate seismic activity, usually not found in stable continental regions. Such unusual characters are very well reflected in all the geophysical fields.