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Rock Magnetic Signatures of the Dalma Formation in the Singhbhum Mobile

Belt, Eastern India

Article  in  Journal of the Geological Society of India · June 2021

DOI: 10.1007/s12594-021-1738-7

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JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vol.97, June 2021, pp.635-642

Rock Magnetic Signatures of the Dalma Formation in the

Singhbhum Mobile Belt, Eastern India
Saurodeep Chatterjee1,2,*, N. Basavaiah3, Supriya Mondal1 and Debesh Gain1
1
Department of Geological Sciences, Jadavpur University, Kolkata - 700 032, India
2
Department of Applied Geology, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad - 826 004, India
3
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Kalamboli, New Panvel, Navi Mumbai - 410 218, India
*E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT extended from Chandil (Cd) in the western Dalma Formation; Tamlia
Petrography and rock magnetic properties of the Dalma (Tm) and Chakulia (Ck) in the centre, and Galudih (Gd) and Burudih
volcanics (DV) and associated meta-sediments of Singhbhum (Bd) towards the east. The quartz-mica schists are very fine grained
mobile belt (SMB) are presented to describe magnetic grain size consisting of quartz, feldspar, muscovite, sericite, biotite, sphene and
and Fe-Ti oxide mineralogy of the volcano-sedimentary sequence. minor opaques. Locally, these rocks contain crude colour banding likely
Petrography revealed the presence of Ti-magnetite, hematite, due to the varied concentration of minerals within alternate bands.
ilmenite and pyrite in quartz-biotite-sericite-muscovite schists, Quartzites occur as bands of about 9-10 m thickness. They are medium
quartzites, and volcanic rocks. The average value of magnetic to coarse grained in nature. The quartzites are locally cherty in nature.
susceptibility (χχ ) is 5.6 x 10-7 m3/kg, anhysteretic remanent The volcanic rocks are mostly fine to medium grained. These are dark
magnetization (ARM) is 2.25 x 10-5 Am2/kg, saturating isothermal grey to greenish grey volcanic agglomerates. They contain numerous
remanent magnetization (SIRM) is 403.33 x 10-5 Am2/kg, soft angular clasts and blocks of sedimentary rocks like sandstone which
IRM is 240.2 x 10-5 Am2/kg, hard IRM is 77.56 x 10-5 Am2/kg, are embedded in the basaltic lava. Outcrops of pillow lava are abundant
and natural remanent magnetization (NRM) is 54.1 mA/m. in the Chakulia region (also see Mazumdar, 2005; Mazumdar et al.,
The central tendency of the inter-parametric ratio ARM/χ χ is 2015). The rocks are multiply deformed. However, the mesoscopic
0.06 kAm-1, SIRM/χ χ is 111.04 kAm-1 and S-ratio is 0.8. Based on observation, especially of the quartz-mica schist, displays the prominent
results, magnetic mineralogy indicated that the bulk magnetic foliation (S2) having an attitude of 125°/76° → NE. The southern
carrier is stable single domain (SSD) or pseudo single domain limb of F2 trends 95°/75° → S and the northern limb trends 95°/76°
(PSD) grains of Fe-Ti oxides with minor iron sulphides such as → N. The fold axis plunges 20° → 100°. The S2 is further puckered
pyrite, greigite and pyrrhotite. Petrography and rock magnetic with a plunge of the pucker axis 60° → 205°. The Dalma Formation
studies suggest that the magnetic carriers are chiefly secondary in in the eastern most part is disrupted by near E–W trending Dalma
origin and the NRM is modified over time. thrust.

INTRODUCTION METHODS
The Proterozoic east Indian Shield and Dalma Formation are In the laboratory, six to eight cores of 2.5 cm diameter and 2.2 cm
among the important volcano-sedimentary succession of eastern India height were drilled from each oriented block sample. A total number
(Mazumdar, 2005). Although these units have been studied for of 108 cores were drilled from 18 oriented blocks samples. Among
structure, geophysics etc. (Sengupta et al., 2000; Singh, 1998, 1997; the 18 blocks, 7 belong to quartz-mica schist, 3 to quartzites and the
Bose, 1994; Chakraborti and Bose, 1985; Chakraborti, 1980; Gupta rest 8 belong to volcanic clan. Some chip samples from the 18 sampling
et al., 1980; De, 1964; Naha and Ghosh, 1960; Dunn and Dey, 1942; sites were also powdered using ball mill (to avoid contamination).
Adhikari et al. 2016, Maurya et al. 2015), little is known about the These drilled cores and the powder samples were then subjected to
rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic signatures. Thus, the present study the measurement of magnetic susceptibility (χ), frequency-dependent
is aimed to describe the magnetic properties of the metavolcano- susceptibility (χFD%), anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM),
sedimentary sequence of Dalma Formation and to determine the carriers saturating isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) and natural
of magnetic remanence. remanent magnetization (NRM).
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) was measured in low (0.46 kHz) and
GEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND high (4.6 kHz) frequencies using susceptibility meter (Bartington,
The Paleo- to Meso-Proterozoic (1.0-2.3 Ga) Singhbhum Mobile UK). The bulk susceptibility was normalized to mass and the low
Belt (SMB) is a prominent polymetallic mineral belt in east India field susceptibility or χ was taken in the order of 10-7 m3/kg. The
bounded by the Chottanagpur gneissic complex (CGC) in the north frequency-dependent susceptibility, represented as a percentage
and the Archean Singhbhum craton (>2.4 Ga) in the south. Dalma (χFD%), was calculated for all rock samples. The ARM was imparted
volcano-sedimentary belt is located to the south of the CGC (Fig.1). using ASC’s D-Tech alternating field demagnetiser at peak alternating
The Dalma Formation conformably overlies the Dhalbhum Formation field (HAC) of 100-300 mT whereas the bias field varies between 30 to
and is represented by a thick succession of mafic-ultramafic volcanic 100 mT and the magnetic remanence was measured using Minispin
rocks with lenses of basic agglomerates along with quartz-mica schists spinner magnetometer (Molspin, UK). Stepwise acquisition of
and quartzites (Mazumdar 2005; Chakraborti and Bose, 1985, Gupta isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) in a forward field up to
and Basu, 2000, Mazumder et al. 2015; Bose, 1994). 1T followed by backfield up to 300mT was carried out using Pulse
In this study, quartz-mica schists, quartzites and volcanics of the magnetizer (MMPM9) and measured using minispin spinner
Dalma volcano-sedimentary sequence are studied. The study area magnetometer (Molspin, UK). The thermo-magnetic heating and

0016-7622/2021-97-6-635/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOC. INDIA | DOI: 10.1007/s12594-021-1738-7

 Fig.1. Geological map of the Singhbhum Mobile Belt and associated Dalma lavas along with sampling locations.

cooling curves were made using KLY-4 Kappabridge (AGICO, Czech RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Republic). NRM was measured using Minispin spinner magnetometer
Petrography
(Molspin, UK). All the rock magnetic analyses were carried out at
Solid Earth Geomagnetism Division, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Quartz-Mica Schists: The quartz-mica schists are fine-grained,
Navi Mumbai, India. All the standard formula was used as described containing quartz, feldspar, muscovite, sericite, biotite, sphene and
in Basavaiah (2011). Various rock magnetic parameters calculated are accessory opaques (Fig.2a). Crude colour banding is also present in
given in Table 1. them. These are porphyroblastic in nature with the porphyroblasts of

Table 1. Rock magnetic results of the Dalma Formation rock units.

Rock type Study Cite χ ARM SIRM ARM/ ARM/χ SIRM/χ Soft IRM HIRM S- NRM Q-
sector No. (10-7 (10-5 (10-5 SIRM (kAm-1) (kAm-1) (10-5 (10-5 ratio (mA/m) ratio
m3/kg) Am2/kg) Am2/kg) Am2/kg) Am2/kg)
Chandil DL-3 2.8 0.4 121.2 0.004 0.02 42.56 64.0 92.4 0.2 5.27 1.88
DL-6 2.0 0.8 162.9 0.005 0.04 80.48 108.1 78.2 0.5 4.35 2.17
Tamlia DL-11 1.7 0.4 77.6 0.005 0.02 45.78 51.5 22.9 0.7 0.9 0.53
Schists DL-16 2.3 5.2 622.6 0.008 0.2 273.6 155.8 149.5 0.8 123.07 53.5
DL-29 3.0 0.2 27.9 0.007 0.01 9.4 21.9 4.9 1.0 0.013 0.004
DL-30 3.2 1.1 194.4 0.006 0.03 60.4 185.9 29.7 0.8 0.023 0.007
Galudih DL-17 2.1 5.0 603.4 0.005 0.2 292.3 234.5 72.4 0.9 17.01 8.1
Chandil DL-9 13.1 2.8 724.7 0.004 0.02 55.33 705.7 144.3 0.8 100.7 7.68
Quartzites Galudih DL-18 12.6 3.2 646.3 0.004 0.03 51.3 449.8 56.6 0.9 5.03 0.39
Burudih DL-23 28.8 6.8 1263.6 0.006 0.02 43.9 1005.0 64.5 1.1 7.54 0.26
Chakulia DL-13 5.0 1.2 209.7 0.006 0.02 41.56 191.6 12.3 0.9 0.08 0.02
DL-14 4.2 0.7 115.9 0.006 0.02 27.89 99.3 6.9 0.9 0.14 0.04
Volcanic DL-15 3.1 0.4 66.1 0.008 0.01 21.52 56.2 4.6 0.9 1.31 0.42
Rocks DL-28 3.2 0.4 39.3 0.01 0.01 12.1 27.6 1.6 0.9 0.89 0.28
Burudih DL-25 2.5 5.6 1414.6 0.007 0.2 557.7 636.5 550.6 0.6 212.73 85.092
DL-26 3.6 0.3 51.8 0.001 0.01 14.4 47.9 1.6 1.0 0.24 0.07
DL-27 2.0 3.7 514.6 0.008 0.2 257.5 42.6 25.6 0.9 440.60 220.3

636 JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.97, JUNE 2021

quartz, biotite and opaques wrapped and rotated along with the Secondary oxide minerals are developed along the micro-shear
schistosity. The rocks possess more than one generation of schistosity, planes.
which is confirmed by their oblique relationship. Opaque veins of Fe-
Ti oxides occur along the micro-fractures. The quartz veins are Quartzites: Quartzites consist of ~95% medium to coarse-grained
boudinaged to pinch and swell structures (Fig. 2b). In quartz-mica anhedral to subhedral grains of quartz which are mostly polyhedral
schists, the primary Ti-magnetite are present in two modes. In the first and undulose with a minor amount of feldspar and opaque minerals
mode, these occur as coarse porphyroblasts of Ti-magnetite which are (Fig.2c). Local evidence of mylonitization and pulverization of the
wrapped by schistosity. These are oxidised to Stage-2 to Stage-4 of quartz grains are also present (Fig.2d). The low textural maturity and
low-temperature oxidation (Johnson and Hall, 1978). In the second high mineralogical maturity within these rocks can be attributed to
mode, development of the typical droplet structure (Fig.3a) and fine the small distance of transportation i.e. derivation of the sediments
elongated grains of Ti-magnetite parallel to schistosity are observed. from less distant quartz dominated provenance and very fast deposition
Secondary Ti-magnetite grains are associated with the dissolution of within the basin. The secondary Fe-Ti oxides dominate over the primary
primary Ti-magnetite grains and haematite pigmentation (Fig.3c). ones in the quartzites. Primary oxides belong to low-temperature

Fig.2. (a) Qt-Chl-Se-Ms Schists with multiple generations of oblique schistosity; (b) Boudinaged quartz veins in qt+se+ms schist; (c) Polymodal
quartz grains undulose extinction in quartzite; (d) Quartzites with evidence of Pulverization and shearing; (e) Phenocryst of plagioclase in a
groundmass of plagioclase+pyroxene+opaque in basic volcanic rocks; (f) Elongated pyroclast in volcanic tuff embedded in a matrix of
plagioclase+pyroxene+hornblende+opaues.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.97, JUNE 2021 637

Fig.3. (a) Ti-magnetite porphyroblast in schists; (b) Finer Ti-magnetite grains along schistosity of the Qt-Chl-Se-Ms Schists; (c) Secondary fine
Ti-magnetite grains and subsequent haematite pigmentation along micro-fractures of schists; (d) Secondary Ti-magnetite along micro-fractures
in Quartzites; (e) Secondary Ti-magnetite grains along boundaries of quartz grains in quartzite; (f) Unaltered Ti-magnetite grains as phenocryst
in basic volcanic rocks.

oxidation stages 3 and 4 (Johnson and Hall, 1978). Secondary Ti- Thus, it is evident from the detailed reflected light microscopic
magnetite which occurs mainly at the Chandil sector is present along study that there are four generations of ferrimagnetic remanence carriers
fractures and shear planes with occasional pigmentary haematite in the Dalma Formation. These are (a) porphyroblastic Ti-magnetite
(Fig.3d). Rarely, ultrafine secondary Ti-magnetite grains are developed in quartz-mica schists, (b) Schistosity defining fine grains of Ti-
along the grain boundaries of quartz (Fig.3e). magnetite in quartz-mica schists and Volcanics, (c) Secondary Ti-
magnetite associated with biotite along micro-fractures of quartzites
Volcanics: The Dalma volcanic rocks are fine to medium-grained and (d) ultrafine grains of Ti-magnetite along with haematite
and consist of amphibole, plagioclase, quartz, and minor amount of pigmentation in quartz-mica schists mainly.
sphene and opaque. These lavas are porphyritic with phenocryst
embedded amphibole and plagioclase, a matrix composed of finer ROCK MAGNETISM
grains of quartz, feldspar and glass (Fig.2e). Amygdules are filled by
Rock Magnetic Parameters
secondary minerals, mainly quartz and calcite (Fig.2f). Ti-magnetite
grains in the volcanic rocks are present as euhedral phenocrysts. In The χ value of the natural rock samples depends on the amount of
the volcanic rocks of the Burudih area, finer grains of Ti-magnetite ferrimagnetic minerals present within the rocks or more precisely the
are observed. They show crude schistosity (Fig.3f). amount of magnetite and Ti-magnetite. ARM shows grain size

638 JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.97, JUNE 2021

dependence in magnetite from SSD grains to PSD grains. Precisely, the quartz-mica schists. The occurrence of these minerals basically
ARM measurements are sensible to SSD grains i.e. higher ARM depicts caused their host rocks to have low susceptibilities yet high SIRM.
a higher concentration of SSD magnetite in the samples. As the As, SSD magnetite and Ti-magnetite seem to be the chief magnetic
ferrimagnetic minerals only show magnetic saturation, the value of minerals in the central and western part, the remanence potential of
SIRM depicts their concentration in rock. The χFD% is particularly these quartz-mica schists is fairly high.
sensitive to the grain sizes ranging from SSD grains to SP grains, The highest χ values in the Dalma Formation are observed in the
often referred to as fine viscous grains because they show time- quartzites (~18.1 x 10-7 m3/kg). Their ARM value (~4.2 x 10-5Am2/
dependent loss of remanence. Thus, the increase of χFD% can be kg) is correlatable with Ti-magnetite (magnetically hard and thus SSD)
considered as proxies of SP grains. Besides, the transformation of and ilmeno-haematite. Thus, the secondary magnetite in the quartzite
magnetite-haematite due to surficial processes such as dissolution can is SSD which is capable of recording stable remanence. The quartzites
also be pointed out by χFD% (Akimoto et al., 1984). Generally, a towards the west have positively correlated χ and χFD% reflecting the
parallel increase of χ and χFD% points towards secondary origin secondary origin of the Ti-magnetite in them. However, in the quartzites
whereas the variation of χ not associated with the corresponding towards the central and eastern parts of the Dalma Formation, primary
variation of χFD% indicates the contribution of ferrimagnetic mineral Fe-Ti oxides are observed. Quartzites from the west also have χFD%
of primary origin (Basavaiah, 2011). SIRM/χ is useful in terms of >8% and thus reflect SP behaviour. However, the quartzites at eastern
differentiating between different types of magnetic behaviour. For sectors have low χFD% (<2%), pointing towards MD magnetite
instance, if both SIRM and χ are low and the ratio is high that indicates (>20 µm), which are unlikely to carry stable remanence. Quartzites
a large amount of haematite. Again, if χ is positive with low remanence are generally diamagnetic, however, in Dalma Formation they are
the magnetic minerals are mostly paramagnetic (Basavaiah, 2011; ferrimagnetic and have high SIRM and these rocks are most suitable
Basavaiah and Khadkikar, 2004). Thus, a comparative analysis of the for recording remanences. The SIRM and ARM values at these sites
values of SIRM, χ and SIRM/χ helps to identify the magnetic behaviour are proportional assuring that the ferrimagnetic components are mainly
of the samples as well as the minerals contributing towards such secondary. Higher HIRM values observed within the quartzites of
behaviour. The ratio of ARM and SIRM serves as a measure of the Chandil and Dharagiri (ranging from 144.3 – 164.5 x 10-5Am2/kg) are
strength of grain interactions. For example, high values of ARM/SIRM supported by the presence of pigmentary haematite. Soft IRM
represent SSD magnetite grains and low values indicate MD magnetite dominates HIRM indicating the chief remanence carriers to be fine-
grains (Basavaiah and Khadrikar, 2004). The important parameters of grained Ti-magnetite and magnetite with a minor concentration of
partial IRMs are Hard IRM, Soft IRM and S-ratio. Hard IRM (HIRM) haematite (Basavaiah et al., 2018; Sangode et al., 2017; Kapawar and
refers to the hard fraction of the magnetic component which is Venkateshwarlu, 2019).
determined by subtracting the IRM acquired in 300 mT (IRM300) from The volcanic rocks have a moderate range of χ values (average χ
SIRM. HIRM is absolutely a concentration-dependent parameter and is 3.5 x 10-7 m3/kg). The ARM and ARM/χ values for volcanic rocks
can be used to estimate the concentration of anti-ferromagnetic minerals of the western sector (~0.4 x 10-5Am2/kg and 0.02 kA/m respectively)
(e.g. haematite and goethite) to the saturation remanence (Basavaiah, are typical for magnetically hard Ti-magnetite. MD magnetite
2011). The soft fraction is quantified in relative terms through S-ratios, (>20 µm) was observed in the Chakulia-Asanbani (evident from low
calculated from measurements of SIRM and of the IRM subsequently values of χFD% ~2% and ARM/SIRM ~7 x 10-3). The values of
acquired in backfields of 100 mT (IRM-100) or 300 mT (IRM-300): ARM/χ (0.2 kA/m) point towards magnetically hard magnetite in the
S100 = -IRM-100/SIRM and S300 = -IRM-300/SIRM. The S-ratio ranges eastern Dalma Formation, which also have χFD%>8%, due to the
from -1 (for hard anti-ferromagnets) to +1 (for soft ferrimagnets). All presence of viscous magnetite component of SP range. In the western
the above-spoken remanence is induced. However, the NRM signifies volcanics, the magnetite and Ti-magnetite occur as coarse
the overall magnetization acquired by a rock sample in its lifetime and
is attributable towards the evolution of the natural magnetism in the
rock over time. The Q-ratio physically signifies the relative proportion
of the remanent magnetization (NRM) and induced magnetization (χ)
within a rock.

Implications from Rock Magnetic Parameters

The quartz-mica schists have the lowest χ with an average of
2.44 x 10-7 m3/kg (Table 1), being dominated by paramagnetic
phyllosilicates. Besides, χ in quartz-mica schists is also weakened by
the presence of ilmeno-haematite reflected by the presence of pigments
(Fig.3c). In the eastern Dalma Formation, near Chandil, the χFD%
values range from <2% (reflecting MD magnetite) to ~8% (reflecting
SP behaviour). ARM/χ values also point towards MD Ti-magnetite,
which are represented texturally by the coarse porphyroblasts. Their
low ARM (0.3 to 3.2 x 10-5 Am2/kg) and low SIRM (51 to 140 x 10-5
Am2/kg) also corroborate with the contention. Low S-ratio of ~0.4
towards Chandil area indicates presence of haematite pigmentation
and iron sulphides like pyrite, pyrrhotite and greigite. All these features
point towards the low potential of recording remanences in the quartz-
mica schists of eastern Dalma Formation. Towards the central and
western part, near Tamlia-Pardih and Galudih, the quartz-mica schists
have high ARM and high SIRM depicting SSD magnetite and Ti-
magnetite, texturally reflected by fine Ti-magnetite grains. Rock
magnetic properties [such as ARM~0.01; low χ (~ 2 x 10-7 m3/kg), Fig.4. Plot of SIRM versus susceptibility (χ) for different rock types
high SIRM (600-625 x 10-5 Am2/kg)] indicate sulphide minerals in of the Dalma Formation.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.97, JUNE 2021 639

 Table 2. Summary of magneto-petrological characteristics of the Dalma rocks
Rock type Sector Magnetic Nature and Magnetic Signature Petrological Signature Potential of
Mineralogy recording
remanence
Chandil Paramagnetic to anti- Low SIRM, High HIRM, S-300=0.4. MD Mt. replicates the presence
ferromagnetic . High ARM, A/S=4 x 10-3, of coarse porphyroblastic
MD Mt. and TMt moderate to low χ, S-300=0.4 Mt./TMt. observed. Ample Low
Ht. in almost subequal HIRM and Soft IRM nearly equal pigmentary Ht. is also observed
amount to Mt. and TMt. along schistosity and weak
Local SP behaviour .Local high χFD%. planes due to oxidation and
(site DL-6) dissolution of primary Mt.
and TMt.
Paramagnetic Low SIRM Almost like that in Chandil.
Abundant Ht., Gr. and Pyr. Low χ, ARM approaches 0.01, However, Mt. and TMt.
high SIRM, S-300 is as low as 0.7. porphyroblasts are rarer and Moderate
Rarely MD Mt. Occasionally χFD% <2, χ is lower. But sulphides are to low
S-300 tends 1. not traceable in petrography.
Schists Tamlia- Exception site (DL-16):
Pardih Ferrimagnetic High SIRM Coarse primary Mt. and TMt.
SSD TMt. Moderate χ, high ARM, high SIRM, are almost absent. Dissolution
Ht./Gr./Pyr. Low χ high SIRM, High SIRM/χ, and oxidation have formed High
A/S ~0.1. pigmentary Ht. Sulfides formed
by hydrothermal activity (Yadav
et al., 2017)
Ferrimagnetic High SIRM
Galudih SSD TMt. Moderate χ, high ARM, high SIRM, Similar to DL-16 site High
Ht./Gr./Pyr. Low χ, high SIRM, High SIRM/χ,
A/S ~0.1.
Paramagnetic Extremely low SIRM. The MD magnetite chiefly
MD Mt. Low ARM, A/S=6 x 10-3, Soft corresponds to the porphyroblasts
Burudih IRM >> HIRM, low SIRM/χ, S-300 = 1. of Mt. which have suffered Low
Secondary Ht. ARM/χ = 0.01 dissolution and oxidation forming
Magnetic minerals are Positive correlation of χ and χFD%. pigmentary haematite, although
secondary in origin. in lesser amount.
Ferrimagnetic High SIRM Dissolution of primary TMt.
SSD Mt., soft TMt. High χ, high ARM, High and Mt. by secondary processes
SIRM/χ, A/S=4 x 10-3 led to formation of pigmentary
Chandil (Local SP behaviour) >8% χFD% in some samples Ht. and Ilm-Ht. within which High
secondary ultrafine SSD Mt.
Ilm-Ht. (in sub equal S-300 = 0.8, High HIRM, crystallised along weak planes
amount to Mt. and TMt.) HIRM=Soft IRM and grain boundaries
Mainly secondary in origin Positive correlation of χ and χFD%
Quartzites Ferrimagnetic High SIRM Fine to medium grained Mt. and
Galudih- SSD Mt. and TMt. High χ, high ARM, high SIRM/χ TMt. grains although oxidised to
Asanpani S-300=0.9, A/S=5 x 10-3 some degrees retain their primary High
MD Mt. and TMt. Low χFD% granoblastic textural relationship
Primary in origin No positive correlation of χ and χFD%. with quartz grains.
Ferrimagnetic High SIRM Fine to medium grained Mt. and
SSD TMt. and Mt. High χ, high ARM, high SIRM/χ, TMt. grains although oxidised
Dharagiri S-300=0.9, A/S=5 x 10-3. to some degrees retain their High
Primary in origin No positive correlation of χ and χFD%. primary granoblastic textural
relationship with quartz grains.
Weakly Ferrimagnetic Moderate to low SIRM The volcanic rocks of this sector
Chiefly MD Mt. Moderate χ, low ARM, low SIRM/χ, contain Mt. and TMt. only as
Chakulia- χFD%<2, S-300=0.9, A/S=7 x 10-3 coarse phenocrysts defining the Moderate
Asanbani Locally SSD Mt. Relatively much higher value of porphyritic texture and thus to low
(site DL-13). ARM and SIRM. Mt. grains are chiefly MD. Local
SSD Mt. is chiefly secondary.
Volcanics Ferrimagnetic High SIRM Fine grained TMt. occurs along the
SSD Mt. Moderate χ, A/S=5 x 10-3, crude schistosity developed and
high SIRM/χ along the grain boundaries which
Burudih Local SP behaviour >8% χFD% reveals the SSD Mt. Hydrothermal High
Goethite (and/or Low χ and much higher SIRM alteration is reported here (Yadav et
pyrrhotite, haematite) causing high SIRM/χ. S-300 = 0.8 al., 2017) which supports the
presence of Goethite
*A/S: ARM/SIRM; S-300: S-ratio corresponding to -300mT; Mt.: Magnetite; TMt.: Ti-magnetite; Ht.: Haematite; Pyr: Pyrite; Gr: Greigite; Ilm: Ilmenite

640 JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.97, JUNE 2021

 Fig.5. Susceptibility vs Temperature curves for the (a) Quartz-mica schists (b) Quartzites and (c) Volcanic rocks.

porphyroblasts. They are magnetically represented by the MD by iron leaching (Carlut et al., 2007). Thus, in case of the quartz-
magnetite grain evident from low ARM (0.7 x 10-5 Am2/kg), moderate mica schists and volcanic rocks of the Dalma Formation, the
SIRM (108 x 10-5 Am2/kg) and low χFD%( < 2%). Consequently, the Curie temperature is elevated. However, in case of the Quartzites, Tc
rocks are also found to be very weakly ferrimagnetic. However, in the is at ~580°C which signifies that the secondary magnetite in the
eastern part, they are much strongly ferrimagnetic, firstly because of quartzites is devoid of such processes. Also, in the χ-T curve of the
the presence of SSD magnetite and more importantly due to the quartz-mica schists, at temperatures near ~500°C some peak and drop
presence of greigite and pyrrhotite. in the susceptibility values are observed due to Hopkinson’s effect
A correlative representation of rock magnetism and petrography (Dunlop, 2014; Dunlop and Ozdemir, 2007; Hopkinson, 1889). The
is presented in Table 2. Hopkinson’s effect marks the dismantling of the domain walls of the
MD magnetite (or Ti-magnetite) grains which are common in the
S-Ratio quartz-mica schists. However, the χ-T curves of the quartzites and the
The average values of S-ratio calculated corresponding to 300 volcanics are devoid of any such effects as they chiefly contain SSD
mT (S-300) is equal to or more than 0.9 which signifies Ti-magnetite as grains (Table 2).
remanence carriers. However, in the extreme eastern sector, the values
are lower (0.4 for the quartz-mica schists and 0.8 for the quartzites). NRM and Koenigsberger (Q) Ratio
Similarly, the value for volcanic rocks of Burudih is also 0.8. These Considering the NRM distribution, NRM is <10 mA/m in most
suggest the presence of haematite in these sectors. The higher values locations. It is observed that the sectors showing a high concentration
of HIRM corroborate with the above contention (Basavaiah et al., of ferrimagnetic minerals (or high SIRM) show high NRM intensities.
2010; Basavaiah and Khadkikar, 2004). About two-thirds of the studied samples display low NRM (0-120
mA/m). Based on the distribution of the NRM intensities, the rocks
SIRM versus χ showing high NRM intensity from the three sectors are (i) quartz-
A plot of SIRM versus χ (Fig.4) of the rocks from Dalma Formation mica schists from the Tamlia-Pardih sector, (ii) quartzites from the
shows distinct cluster corresponding to different rock types. The Chandil sector, and (iii) volcanics from the Burudih sector. A graph of
distribution defined by high χ and high SIRM is defined by quartzites NRM versus susceptibility (induced magnetization) is shown in
due to the presence of large amount of SSD magnetite and Ti-magnetite. Fig.6.
The cluster with lower SIRM but higher χ represents the volcanic
rocks. The cluster with both low χ and low SIRM constitutes the major
samples of the studied area. These samples (the quartz-mica schists
mainly) are characterised by high haematite to magnetite ratio.

Thermo-magnetic Studies
The representative susceptibility (χ) versus temperature (T)
curves are shown for quartz-mica schists, quartzite and volcanic
rocks of the Dalma Formation (Figs. 5a, b and c respectively). The χ-
T curves of the Dalma Formation rocks are found to be reversible in
all cases which prove that the induced magnetization is much stable
and there is formation of no new mineral phase during cooling. Both
quartz-mica schists and volcanics have similar trends of heating
and cooling curves, and they are found to lose their magnetization at
the Curie temperatures (Tc) of ~640°C and ~630°C respectively. The Fig.6. NRM versus Susceptibility plot for the rocks of the Dalma
ideal Curie temperature of magnetite (or Ti-magnetite) is ~580°C. Formation.
Thus, the increase of the Tc can be attributed towards the complete
solid solution of ulvospinel with magnetite, due to the processes of The Q ratio indicates the relative proportion of remanent
maghemitization (conversion of magnetite to maghemite due to magnetization and induced magnetization. The samples with high
natural geological processes, Fischer et al., 2007) and finally due to proportions of NRM i.e. Q >1 is the one having high remanence
formation of sulfides, which are not traceable most of the times from potential. It is observed that ~60% of the samples have Q-ratio < 1
petrography (Dunlop and Ozdemir, 2015). Dalma volcanics show and low NRM intensities (<10 mA/m) as the magnetization in this is
evidences of pillow lavas (Mazumdar 2005, Chatterjee et al., 2018), mostly induced. The higher strength of the induced magnetization is
where this processes of maghemitization is quite common aided also evident from the reversible nature of the χ-T curves.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.97, JUNE 2021 641

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anti-ferromagnetic minerals (haematite) with broad grain size Interpretation of magnetic fabrics in the Dalma volcanic rocks and
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Acknowledgements: SC thankfully acknowledges the University
Gupta, A., Basu, A. and Ghosh, PK. (1980) The Proterozoic ultramafic and
Grants Commission (UGC) for providing support for the field and
mafic lavas and tuffs of the Dalma greenstone belt, Singhbhum, eastern
laboratory analysis in terms of Non-NET fellowship during the initial India. Can. Jour. Earth Sci., v.17, pp.210–31.
stages; and the Dept. of Geological Sciences, Jadavpur Univ. for Hopkinson, J. (1889) Magnetic and other physical properties of iron at a high
providing high resolution microscopes in the image analyser laboratory temperature. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London, v.180, pp.443–465.
used in the microstructural study. Heartfelt thanks to Pronob Baral Johnson, H.P. and Hall, J.M. (1978) A detailed rock magnetic and opaque
and Athul (IIG, Navi Mumbai) for help in carrying out the rock magnetic mineralogy study of the basalts from Nazca Plate. Geophys. Jour. Royal
and palaeomagnetic measurements at IIG, India. SC acknowledges Astron. Soc., v.52, pp.45-64.
Prof. T.K. Baidya (Jadavpur Univ.) for constructive suggestion during Kapawar, M.R., Venkateshwarlu, M. (2019) Rock magnetic and paleomagnetic
investigations of Sylhet traps, Shillong Plateau, NE India. Jour. Geodynam.,
the revision of the manuscript. Finally, we acknowledge Prof. Ajay
v.127, pp.31-41
Manglik (CSIR-NGRI) and anonymous reviewers for their comments. Maurya, V.P., Shalivahan, S., Bhattacharya, B.B. and Das, L.K. (2015)
Preliminary magnetotelluric results across Dalma volcanics, eastern India:
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(Received: 19 June 2020; Revised form accepted: 14 January 2021)

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