Hyderabad: Scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute have found extensive evidence of the lava flow pathway from the Deccan volcanic eruption in the Narmada-Son region of Central India.
NGRI claimed that the 3D study results would open up possibilities of identification of hydrocarbon reserves, mineral resources and also would be useful to study seismic activity along weak zones.
NGRI researcher and lead author of the study, Mr Prasanta K. Patro, along with Mr S.V.S. Sarma, retired chief scientist of NGRI, came out with these major findings with magnetotelluric (measuring geomagnetic and geo-electrical field variations of Earth) data derived from 153 stations distributed over a grid of 7–8 km site spacing in Central India.
Mr Patro said, “Around 65 million years ago the Deccan volcano caused lot of lava flow. Studies were earlier conducted in the Deccan trap. We focused on the Narmada-Son region where the crustal electrical structure beneath has been imaged. Data helped us to find gravity anomalies and high seismic-velocity zones that are interpreted to be mafic-ultramafic bodies derived from the mantle. These bodies represent intrusive components formed from solidification of lava or magma. We suggest that the disposition and geometry of the conductive bodies, which must have served as magma chambers for the Deccan volcanic activity, is closely related to the plumbing geometry of the Deccan Volcanic Igneous province.”
He added, “The study significantly helps in identification of resources and hydrocarbons. It can be applied in case of seismic pattern identification in weak zones. It is like finding out what is going on in the brain with MRI scanning.”
