MULTIFACETED MANIFESTATIONS OF PROTEROZOIC PROVINCE, SOUTHERN INDIA

The cycle of continental alkaline magmatism began in the Late Archaean and continues today, with a surge in the Phanerozoic. The Cuddapah Intrusive Province (CIP) in the Eastern Dharwar Craton is a key geological area hosting diverse alkaline, subalkaline, and non-alkaline intrusives. Significant magmatic activities include kimberlites, lamproites, and miaskitic alkaline magmatism, along with subalkaline and tholeiitic magmatism. A study in eastern Cuddapah collected over 150 samples from various plutons, with 61 undergoing geochemical analysis. Three major plutons in Prakasam district—Uppalapadu, Purimetla, and Elchuru—exhibit different magmatic characteristics, with Elchuru serving as a model for miaskitic alkaline magmatism. Mica lamprophyres in Elchuru resemble shonkinite, suggesting a hypabyssal equivalent relationship.