Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265

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Gondwana Research
j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / g r

A Neoarchean dismembered ophiolite complex from southern India: Geochemical

and geochronological constraints on its suprasubduction origin
T. Yellappa a,⁎, M. Santosh b, T.R.K. Chetty a, Sanghoon Kwon c, Chansoo Park d, P. Nagesh a,
D.P. Mohanty a, V. Venkatasivappa a
a
National Geophysical Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
b
Division of Interdisciplinary Science, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Akebono-cho 2-5-1, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
c
Department of Earth System Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
d
Division of Earth and Environment Science, Korea Basic Science Institute, 804-1 Yangchoeng-ri, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Republic of Korea

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Ophiolites, the remnants of ancient oceanic lithosphere, have been described from collisional sutures of
Received 5 February 2011 various ages with only few examples from Archean terranes. Here we report the discovery of a Neoarchean
Received in revised form 8 May 2011 ophiolite suite from the southern margin of the Dharwar Craton in India, tectonically intercalated within a
Accepted 8 May 2011
Neoproterozoic suture zone. The metamorphosed and variably dismembered ophiolite suite, exposed around
Available online 18 May 2011
Devanur, comprises altered ultramafic units, websterite, gabbros, mafic dykes, amphibolites, trondhjemites
Editor: I. Safonova and pegmatites associated with ferruginous metachert. Structural and petrographic studies indicate that the
rocks represent a highly sheared and metamorphosed suite emplaced as a thrust sheet. The major and trace
Keywords: element geochemistry of the mafic dykes indicate derivation from basaltic–andesitic magmas with tholeiitic
Ophiolites to calc-alkaline characteristics. The rocks display negative Nb anomalies with enrichment of LILE (K, Rb, Ba,
Suprasubduction zone Th) and depletion in HFSE (Ti, Nb, Hf, Tb). The tectonic discrimination of these rocks based on various
Petrology geochemical plots suggests that they were generated in a suprasubduction zone setting. We present new
Geochemistry SHRIMP zircon U–Pb data for two trondhjemite samples from this complex, which yield 238U–206Pb ages of
Zircon SHRIMP geochronology
2528 ± 61 and 2545 ± 56 Ma. The Neoarchean age from the trondhjemites obtained in our study is closely
Southern India
comparable to similar ages obtained in recent studies from magmatic zircons in charnockites and
orthogneisses in the area. The suprasubduction zone assemblages and arc magmas suggest a Neoarchean
ocean closure along the southern margin of the Dharwar Craton.
© 2011 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Ophiolites, the remnants of oceanic lithosphere, provide impor-
tant information on the evolution of ancient arcs, petrogenetic
processes, opening and destruction of ocean basins, and the nature
of subduction–accretion–collision tectonics in major orogenic belts
(Nicolas, 1989; Şengör, 1990; Searle and Cox, 1999; Dilek and
Newcomb, 2003; Beccaluva et al., 2004). Ophiolitic rocks have also
been critical in evaluating the structure and petrophysical properties
of modern oceanic lithosphere and subduction systems (e.g.
Ceuleneer et al., 1988; Vissers and Nicolas, 1995; Parkinson and
Pearce, 1998; Godard et al., 2000; Boutelier et al., 2003), which
determine the large-scale dynamics of the mantle-lithosphere
system (Davies and Richards, 1992; King, 2001). Ophiolitic suites
developed in different tectonic settings have generally been
classified into mid-ocean ridge (MOR) type and suprasubduction
⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: + 91 40 23434611; fax: + 91 40 23434651.
E-mail address: yellappa_thoti@yahoo.co.uk (T. Yellappa).
zone-type (SSZ) type (Pearce et al., 1984a). Miyashiro (1973, 1975)
proposed that subduction-zone magmatism is manifest in SSZ-type
ophiolites before the formation of island-arcs (Pearce et al., 1984a).
The origin of SSZ-type tholeiites with back-arc basin affinities, on the
other hand, can be attributed to the later intra-oceanic subduction and
plate convergence leading to the generation of supra-subduction-type
oceanic crust as a consequence of imparting a certain extent of
subduction component into the mantle melting region (Dilek and
Newcomb, 2003; Hawkins, 2003; Pearce, 2003; Dilek and Furnes,
2011).
The occurrence of ophiolitic rocks has been reported from various
terranes of different ages on the globe. Although most of the well-
documented examples come from Phanerozoic belts (e.g., Ishikawa et
al., 2002; Dilek and Robinson, 2003; Dilek and Newcomb, 2003;
Vaughan and Scarrow, 2003; Hara et al., 2009; Braid et al., 2010;
Isozaki et al., 2010; Pearce and Robinson, 2010; Zhang et al., 2010),
ophiolites of Archean age have also been recorded such as those from
the 2.5 Ga ophiolites in the Dongwanzi, Zunhua and Wutaishan areas
in the North China Craton (Kusky et al., 2001; Polat et al., 2005, 2006;
Kusky, 2010), and the ~ 3.8 Ga ophiolites from Isua supracrustal belt in

1342-937X/$ – see front matter © 2011 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.gr.2011.05.003
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
southwest Greenland (Furnes et al., 2007, 2009). Whereas the
ophiolites in younger orogenic belts preserve a complete sequence/
stratigraphy, those from Archean and Proterozoic terranes are highly
dismembered, preserving only partial sequences (e.g. Kroner, 1985;
Barhe, 1990; Dann, 1991; Kusky, 2004). Some of the world's best
examples of Proterozoic ophiolites have been reported from the
Arabian–Nubian shield, Kareliean shield, Capesnot Belt of west Africa
and the south west USA (St Onge et al., 1989; Abhouchami et al., 1990;
Scott et al., 1991, 1992; Boher et al., 1992; Dann, 2004). Some of the
well studied examples for ophiolitic assemblages from Proterozoic
terranes include the Mesoproterozoic Kandra (Vijayakumar et al.,
2010) and Kanigiri ophiolites (Dharma Rao and Reddy, 2009; Dharma
Rao et al., 2011) and the Neoproterozoic Manamedu ophiolite complex
(Santosh et al., 2009; Yellappa et al., 2010) from Peninsular India.
In this contribution, we report for the first time a Neoarchean
suprasubduction zone complex from Devanur, near the southern
periphery of the Archean Dharwar Craton in southern India,
dismembered and incorporated within the Palghat–Cauvery Suture
Zone, a Neoproterozoic collisional suture developed during the
closure of the Mozambique Ocean associated with the final assembly
of the Gondwana supercontinent (Collins et al., 2006, 2007; Santosh et
al., 2009). We present the detailed field observations, petrology,
geochemical and SHRIMP zircon U–Pb age data, to evaluate the
petrogenetic and tectonic significance of the complex.
2. Geological setting
2.1. Cauvery suture zone
The Cauvery Suture Zone (CSZ), a part of the larger Palghat–
Cauvery Suture Zone considered as a trace of the Gondwana-forming
suture (Collins et al., 2007; Santosh et al., 2009) is a network of
pervasive mega shear zones and is one of the major tectonic features
(70 × 350 km) in the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) of Peninsular
India. The E–W trending CSZ divides the SGT into two distinct crustal
domains: the Archean Dharwar craton to the north and the
Neoproterozoic granulite blocks to the south (Fig. 1). The CSZ has
been variously described as: (1) a collision zone and cryptic suture,
with remnants of probable ophiolitic sequence (Gopalakrishnan,
1994), (2) a dextral shear zone as exemplified by the deflection of
north–south Archean fabrics to near east–west disposition along the
MBSZ (Drury et al., 1984; Chetty et al., 2003), (3) an analog of the
central part of the Limpopo mobile belt (Ramakrishnan, 1993), (4) the
Archean–Proterozoic Terrane boundary (Harris et al., 1994), (5) a
Fig. 1. Geological framework of Cauvery Suture Zone (after Chetty and Bhaskar Rao, 2006).
247
zone of Palaeo- and Neoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust
(Bhaskar Rao et al., 1996; Raith et al., 1999), and (6) a Neoproterozoic
dextral–ductile transpressive tectonic zone (Meissner et al., 2002;
Chetty et al., 2003; Chetty and Bhaskar Rao, 2006) and (7) Neoproter-
ozoic crustal-scale ‘flower structure’ (Chetty and Bhaskar Rao, 2006). In
addition, the CSZ has also been regarded as Ediacaran–Cambrian suture
and has been correlated with the Betsimiserka suture zone, Madagascar
(Collins et al., 2007; Collins et al., 2008; Raharimahefa and Kusky, 2009).
A Pacific-type prolonged Neoproterozoic subduction–accretion history
culminating in a Himalayan-style collision during latest Neoproter-
ozoic–Cambrian along this zone, associated with the closure of the
Mozambique Ocean and the birth of the Gondwana supercontinent, has
also been proposed (Santosh et al., 2009).
In a recent study, Yellappa et al. (2010) reported the petrological
and geochemical characteristics of an ophiolitic suite from the
Manamedu complex (MOC) (Fig. 2) within the CSZ, based on which
a suprasubduction zone tectonic setting was proposed. Sato et al.
(2011) presented U–Pb zircon data from this locality which indicates
that the MOC was generated in mid Neoproterozoic associated with
subduction tectonics, followed by Cambrian metamorphism during
the final collisional assembly of Gondwana.
The dominant rock types along the CSZ include supracrustal
sequences metamorphosed to granulite facies, migmatized orthog-
neisses showing varying degree of retrogression, charnockites,
granites, banded iron formations, and several dismembered suites of
mafic–ultramafic complexes with varying lithological association
including dunite, peridotite–websterite and garnet-bearing gabbro–
anorthosite complexes some of which have been considered to
display features comparable with modern ophiolite sequences
(Gopalakrishnan, 1994). These rocks are particularly well exposed
in the form of linear belts along the north–south Manamedu–
Mahadevi corridor (Fig. 2).
The supracrustal sequences show E–W striking fabrics with
predominant northerly dips at moderate angles (Fig. 3). These have
been transformed into steepened high strain fabrics along several shear
zones. A set of E–W striking parallel shear zones could be mapped with
an approximate spacing of ~700 m. The rock types occur in the form of
structural ridges comprising lithologies such as garnet-bearing mafic
granulites, alternating linear belts of pyroxenites, peridotites, gabbros,
amphibolites, all of which are tectonically intercalated within highly
deformed cherty bands and elevated strike ridges characterized by more
resistant chert-magnetite horizons. These ridges are invariably bound
by shear zones on either side. The ophiolitic complexes of Manamedu
and Devanur occur within this corridor.
248 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265

Fig. 2. Simplified geological map of Manamedu–Mahadevi transect showing ophiolite occurrences (modified after Chetty et al., 2011).

2.2. Devanur ophiolite complex village of Tamil Nadu State (GPS location, 10° 55′N–11° 15′N: 78° 15E
′–78° 40′E). The DOC has a strike length of 20 km with a width of
The Devanur Ophiolite Complex (DOC) occurs in the form of an ~3 km showing an aspect ratio of 1:6. The major rock types of
E–W trending lensoid body (Fig. 3) and is exposed around the Devanur the complex comprise of highly altered pyroxenites, gabbros,
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 3. Structural map of Devanur Ophiolite Complex with partially exposed outcrops.
anorthosites, amphibolites, hornblendites, trondhjemites, metachert
bands, pyroxene granulites, and pegmatite veins. These lithologies
structurally overlie older migmatitic-hornblende gneisses of the
Archean basement. The contacts are highly sheared, displaying well
developed mylonitic fabrics. Although outcrops are scanty the
extensions of the DOC can be inferred based on the several isolated
exposures as well as the boulders of the different rock units. Highly
altered and sheared ultramafic rocks are overlain by pyroxenites
(Fig. 4a). The pyroxenites, gabbros and anorthosites occur as E–W
trending linear bodies. At some places, the pyroxenites occur as thick
ridges of about 0.5–2 km in strike length with a width of 50 to 200 m
such as those around Thuriyur (Fig. 4b). The contact between the DOC
with surrounding hornblende-bearing orthogneiss is sharp and well
exposed (Fig. 4c). The gabbros are dark green to black, coarse- to fine-
grained, and are metamorphosed to amphibolites (Fig. 4d). Mafic
dykes of metadolerite, metabasite/hornblendite occurs in between the
parallel ridges of pyroxenites (Fig. 4e). The garnet-bearing amphib-
olites are highly migmatized (Fig. 4f). Pegmatites occur as linear
intrusives (Fig. 4g) with varied length and width (5–15 m). Thick
horizons of ferruginous chert (Fig. 4h) extend for a few kilometers of
strike length. The E–W trending lithologies exhibit inward dips in the
eastern and western margins, suggesting the presence of fold closures.
To the southern part of the area, a thick (500 m) band of calc-silicates
and younger granites are exposed. The surrounding granulite facies
gneisses show well developed foliation and are typically super-
imposed by mylonitic fabrics.
Thin veins of trondhjemite occur within the DOC together with
pegmatites and magnesite veins. Associated bands of metachert are
also seen. Tight to isoclinal folds (D2) are predominant with gentle to
moderate plunges to the east, although some westward plunges are
also common (Fig. 5e). Well developed stretching lineations occur
parallel to the D2 fold hinges. The contact at the northern margin of
the DOC is intensely migmatized and sheared. In the southern margin,
highly deformed calc-silicate rocks surrounded by internally folded
and deformed mafic rocks are well exposed. The mesoscopic shear
zones in the area typically exhibit dextral displacement. The DOC
preserves east–west trending S0/S1 fabric with gentle to moderate
dips. The S2 fabric is mostly restricted to shear zones exhibiting steep
angles (60°–70°).
249
Our field mapping around the Devanur and Thuriyur areas show well
preserved tectonostratigraphic sequence, with E–W striking metamor-
phic foliations and northward moderate dips (Fig. 5a). All the lithologies
exhibit gentle to moderate dipping foliations often sub-parallel to the
surface. The cross sections in some of the outcrops (Fig. 5b) show well
exposed structural sequence with steep dips to north. A well preserved
sequence in a locality about 6 km SW of Thuriyur town covering an area
of about 10m2 shows southerly dipping (Fig. 5c and d). The thickness of
each bed varies from a few cm to several meters. The stereo plot of
foliations (S0/S1) of DOC (Fig. 6) shows that all the foliations strike near
east–west with a dominant northward dip of ~60° with a few outliers
dip south. Our field studies suggest that the DOC lie structurally over the
basement rocks, perhaps as a slice of thrust sheet.
3. Petrography
In this study, we examined several thin sections from 25 represen-
tative samples of the various lithologies from the DOC. The highly
altered ultramafics units, mostly dunite, show relicts of olivine and
pyroxene with secondary amphibole and chlorite defining a strong
foliation (Fig. 7a). Pyroxenites are medium- to fine-grained with well
developed cumulate textures (Fig. 7b) and composed of clinopyroxene
and orthopyroxene, with minor amphiboles. Lamellar exsolution and
grain triple junction are common in these rocks (Fig. 7c). The gabbros
are medium to fine grained consisting of clinopyroxene (dominant),
orthopyroxene, plagioclase, hornblende, and biotite. Despite strong
deformation in some samples, zoning in plagioclase and typical igneous
textures are well preserved (Fig. 7d). Both pyroxenites and gabbros
show well preserved cumulate textures. Plagioclase grains in the
gabbros are typically unaltered and occur as subhedral, elongate crystals
showing polysynthetic twinning. The mafic dykes show basaltic to
andesitic characteristics with dominance of hornblende, amphibole and
plagioclase. Most of the dykes are metabasites with dominant
amphiboles, and experienced varying degree of shearing resulting in
mylonitic–ultramylonitic fabric (Fig. 7e). Rotated garnet porphyroclasts
are common in these rocks (Fig. 7f). Dolerites are highly altered
although they preserve a sub-ophitic texture (Fig. 7g). The trondhje-
mites contain large, euhedral to subhedral Na-rich plagioclases with
quartz intergrowths with minor amphiboles (Fig. 7h).
250 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265

Fig. 4. Field photographs of the major rock units from Devanur complex: (a) highly altered ultramafics underlying pyroxenites; (b) linear ridge of pyroxenite dyke; (c) sharp contact
of pyroxenite with hornblende gneiss; (d) thin vein of trondjhemite intrusion in altered gabbro; (d) deformed mafic dyke in contact with hornblende gneiss; (e) sheared
amphibolite in a well section; (g) thick vein of pegmatite intrusion; and (h) thick ferruginous chert band.

4. Analytical methods
Twenty-five samples of the mafic and ultramafic rocks from the
DOC were analyzed for major and trace and REE. The samples were
crushed in jaw crusher and fine powdered in agate mortar with
proper care to prevent contaminations. The major element analyses
were performed by XRF and trace and REE were measured by ICP-MS
at the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad. The
analytical conditions, precision and accuracy are the same as those
reported in Yellappa et al. (2010). The results are listed in Table 1.
For geochronological study, the zircon grains were separated from
two representative samples of the trondhjemite associated with the
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 5. Field sketches within the complex: (a) outcrop sketch map of different lithologies near Devanur village; (b) outcrop sketch map of different lithologies near Thuriyur location;
(c) cross section with reference to (Fig. 5a) showing steep northerly dips and (d) cross section with reference to (Fig. 5b) showing south easterly dips; and (e) tight-isoclinal folded
sequence of mafic dykes.
Devanur Ophiolite Complex (samples DVN1 and DVN4) through
standard crushing, magnetic and water-based panning techniques.
The hand-picked zircon grains were mounted in epoxy with zircon
Fig. 6. Stereoplot of foliations in and around the Devanur Ophiolite Complex.
251
standards SL13 (U = 238 ppm) and Temora ( 206Pb*/ 238U = 0.06683)
or FC1 ( 206Pb*/ 238U = 0.1859) and polished to expose cross sections
for analysis. Before analysis, the grains were photographed under an
optical microscope, and their internal zoning was imaged by a
cathodoluminescence (CL) using a JEOL 6610LV scanning electron
microscope at the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang
Campus, South Korea. The zircon grains were analyzed for Pb–Th–U
isotopes using the SHRIMP II ion microprobe at the KBSI. The
instrumental conditions and data acquisition procedures were similar
to those described by Williams and Claesson (1987) and Williams
(1998). The Pb isotopic compositions were measured directly,
without correction for the small (ca. 2‰/amu) mass-dependent
fractionation. Corrections for much larger inter-element fraction-
ations were made by reference to the Temora or FC1 standard using a
power-law relationship between Pb +/U + and UO +/U +. For most
analyses plotted, common Pb contents were estimated using 204Pb.
Concentrations of Pb, U, and Th were calculated with reference to
SL13. Each analysis consisted of five scans through the Zr, Pb, U, and
Th species of interest and took about 9 min. Uncertainties are listed in
the data table and are plotted on the concordia diagrams; they are 1σ
and include the measurement errors and those in the common Pb
corrections. The uncertainties in the mean 206Pb/ 238U ages are the 95%
confidence limits (tσ, where‘t’ is Student's t), and include those in the
Pb/U calibration for each analytical session (0.25–0.40%). Ages were
calculated using the constants recommended by the International
Union of Geosciences (IUGS) Subcommission on Geochronology
(Steiger and Jäger, 1977). SHRIMP U–Pb analytical results are listed
in Table 2.
252 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265

Fig. 7. Photomicrographs showing textures of representative lithologies: (a) highly altered and sheared ultramafic rock with some relicts of olivine and deformed clinopyroxene and
orthopyroxene; (b) cumulate texture in pyroxenites with well preserved primary minerals; (c) schillerene texture in clinopyroxene of pyroxenite; (d) zoning in clinopyroxene of
altered gabbro; (e) highly sheared ultramylonitc fabric in amphibolites; (f) rotated garnet porphyroblasts in amphibolites; (g) sub-ophitic texture in dolerite; and (h) euhedral
plagioclases in trondhjemite.
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265 253

Table 1
Whole rock geochemistry of various rock units of Devanur Ophiolite Complex.

Rock type Pyroxenite Pyroxenite Pyroxenite Pyroxenite Pyroxenite Pyroxenite Pyroxenite Gabbro Gabbro Gabbro

Sample D-2A D-17A D-22 D-20 D-18 D-8 D-28 T-13 MV-9 T-5

SiO2 51.01 51.99 49.9 50.21 50.78 50.98 48.2 49.95 52.17 51.1
Al2O3 4.81 5.28 4.57 4.45 4.91 4.31 4.84 12.96 11.77 11.85
TiO2 0.43 0.37 0.42 0.42 0.24 0.33 0.26 0.31 0.27 0.39
Fe2O3 9.13 9.34 10.53 8.96 9.22 9.63 9.37 13.42 8.74 12.99
MnO 0.09 0.11 0.14 0.1 0.11 0.13 0.1 0.19 0.15 0.23
MgO 26.03 24.2 26.83 25.04 26.17 26.63 28.1 12.03 11.28 13.39
CaO 5.47 5.87 4.15 7.72 5 4.67 6.07 8.39 13.17 7.39
Na2O 0.52 0.55 0.52 0.6 0.33 0.49 0.57 0.98 0.64 0.72
K2O 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.09 0.02 0.07
P205 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.1
Sum 97.55 97.76 97.16 97.58 96.8 97.23 97.57 98.37 98.23 98.24

Trace elements
Sc 35.27 38.74 24.29 40.93 43.88 31.02 22.45 14.43 43.92 33.78
V 171.78 185.71 137.87 146.54 169.78 151.03 98.35 110.29 191.43 152.86
Cr 7058.38 10,581 11,754 5259.5 5297.8 11,232 7316 933.44 1310.3 1829.7
Co 62.55 58.75 87.02 58.79 81.36 66.9 71.21 69.76 49.77 86.04
Ni 477.77 389.43 867.27 481.73 993.16 512.46 924.75 919.73 235.03 548.92
Cu 33.11 13.94 14.37 41.6 83.85 43.57 7.6 17.93 27.83 60.34
Zn 50.33 44.63 52.67 43.69 38.67 38.83 26.63 111.57 71.52 109.17
Ga 1.81 2.32 2.75 1.5 1.71 2 1.18 12.87 8.99 12.28
Rb 1.12 1.88 2.63 1.11 1.52 1.68 0.85 4.23 3.81 3.6
Sr 3.7 2.77 3.1 10.36 3.46 2.52 1.21 58.6 74.29 99.78
Y 5.9 11.09 11.1 5.5 5.69 8.53 3.63 30.13 11.56 21.54
Zr 7.91 13.47 19.61 6.9 11.77 13.29 5.32 841.44 742.32 707.23
Nb 1.6 2.43 4.86 4.7 2.18 2.37 2 1.81 0.73 2.05
Cs 1.18 2.01 3.02 1.06 1.81 2.01 0.85 2.01 1.76 1.73
Ba 249.71 107.79 175.57 42.83 116.57 111.63 13.88 44.43 35.78 35.3
Hf 0.27 0.47 0.67 0.24 0.4 0.45 0.19 18.97 16.68 15.76
Ta 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.26 0.19 0.28
Pb 0.15 0.18 0.26 0.17 0.19 0.15 0.16 7.47 7.3 5.36
Th 0.28 0.42 0.6 0.37 0.33 0.35 0.17 1.2 1.07 1.06
U 0.07 0.1 0.15 0.06 0.09 0.09 0.04 1.47 1.28 1.18

REE
La 5.73 9.23 5.5 24.87 3.55 4.47 3 6.93 5.94 13.7
Ce 14.2 28.35 15.37 41.1 8.85 12.57 7.53 20.21 13.63 32.41
Pr 2.2 4.42 2.2 3.9 1.33 2.17 1.2 2.81 1.6 3.94
Nd 9.92 19.15 8.65 13.3 5.99 10.7 5.2 15.44 8.56 20.1
Sm 2.89 4.63 2.3 2.71 1.65 3.13 1.35 3.93 2.13 4.14
Eu 0.93 1 0.51 0.81 0.47 0.85 0.35 0.78 0.55 0.68
Gd 3.2 4.83 2.71 3.32 1.93 3.48 1.63 4.07 2 3.88
Tb 0.61 0.9 0.58 0.54 0.42 0.74 0.34 0.65 0.28 0.52
Dy 2.9 4.2 3 2.57 2.17 3.64 1.75 4.67 1.88 3.37
Ho 0.59 0.86 0.63 0.55 0.48 0.79 0.4 0.93 0.37 0.66
Er 1.74 2.4 1.8 1.53 1.41 2.26 1.15 2.61 1.02 1.84
Tm 0.31 0.43 0.31 0.26 0.27 0.42 0.23 0.32 0.13 0.22
Yb 1.59 2.1 1.56 1.36 1.42 2.13 1.2 1.91 0.79 1.38
Lu 0.24 0.3 0.23 0.19 0.21 0.33 0.18 0.41 0.18 0.31
ΣREE 47.05 82.8 45.35 97.01 30.15 47.68 25.51 65.67 39.06 87.15

Rock type Gabbro Dolerite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite

Sample D-16 D-4 MV-7 MV-3 MV-4 D-11 D-15 D-29 D-29B

SiO2 49.77 54.61 50.1 49.93 49.8 48.19 48.78 49.48 52.91
Al2O3 13.81 14.21 12.88 13.49 13.75 12.39 12.77 12.45 13.87
TiO2 0.43 0.82 0.54 1.31 1.88 1.66 0.62 0.35 0.42
Fe2O3 12.81 12.28 14.87 13.77 15.71 14.06 13.01 11.62 10.51
MnO 0.18 0.12 0.2 0.16 0.17 0.15 0.15 0.18 0.11
MgO 9.81 4.88 8.88 8.87 5.38 8.21 10.72 11 8.11
CaO 10.4 8.1 8.85 8.52 8.53 12.23 11.17 12.06 9.39
Na2O 1.05 2.51 1.04 1.81 2.15 1.07 0.6 0.6 2.25
K2O 0.04 0.92 0.11 0.68 0.64 0.18 0.08 0.06 0.27
P205 0.18 0.18 0.04 0.19 0.29 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.24
Sum 98.48 98.63 98.11 98.74 98.29 98.18 98.33 98.15 98.08

Trace elements
Sc 35.53 27.22 31.15 18.18 41.32 51.96 34.4 50.5 36.28
V 210.48 217.66 265.02 169.66 412.77 395.6 194.3 265.9 175.42
Cr 1035.65 201.8 177 173.75 36.41 108.34 157.8 378.73 196.75
Co 60.33 43.25 71.6 55.04 47.2 78.98 75.5 75 76.86
Ni 420.79 116.27 178.46 205.84 26.61 92.68 275.12 289 545
Cu 49.9 99.38 87.16 105.01 97.43 40.98 34.84 120.42 319.43

(continued on next page)

254 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265

Table 1 (continued)
Rock type Gabbro Dolerite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite

Sample D-16 D-4 MV-7 MV-3 MV-4 D-11 D-15 D-29 D-29B

Zn 123.59 85.88 106.63 117.84 159.1 102.9 133.44 101.9 127.43

Ga 13.98 20.16 12.22 12.23 20.94 16.17 16.06 9.33 14.18
Rb 4.27 38.48 1.56 13.04 31.43 1.24 1.4 0.91 3.16
Sr 120.63 236.53 80.22 185.32 161.73 93.3 101.53 61.53 387.11
Y 18.97 24.33 13.7 12.52 44.13 26.57 24.8 13 20.83
Zr 809.57 63.91 37.67 39.13 46.5 42.88 49.8 40.41 35.57
Nb 0.81 5.08 0.59 4.82 11.76 1.21 3.86 0.3 1
Cs 1.93 2.27 0.22 0.29 2.25 0.24 0.27 0.22 0.26
Ba 67.3 310.12 49.55 204.2 206.64 80.76 45.37 24.97 322.93
Hf 18.01 14.11 1.01 1.15 1.28 1.38 1.54 1.14 1.08
Ta 0.23 0.53 0.09 0.69 2.06 0.29 0.76 0.08 0.14
Pb 8.09 8.64 4.43 6.6 6.19 4.21 5.29 4.37 6.33
Th 1.23 4.23 0.22 1.89 2.09 0.17 0.5 0.25 0.39
U 1.37 1.46 0.11 0.17 0.19 0.1 0.1 0.12 0.18

REE
La 11.7 20.26 2.71 9.99 13.46 4.55 11.83 2.86 9.06
Ce 28.9 38.61 7.4 22.59 34.65 15.57 42.36 8 18.89
Pr 3.64 4.05 0.84 2.43 4.02 2.44 5.86 1.1 2.06
Nd 19.55 19.07 5.11 13.1 23.58 17.94 36.48 7.34 12.22
Sm 4.45 3.92 1.4 2.88 6.11 5.43 8.62 2.08 3.2
Eu 1.03 1.15 0.5 0.89 1.84 1.99 2.06 0.67 1.16
Gd 4.03 3.99 2 3.21 7.56 5.96 8.25 2.5 3.91
Tb 0.52 0.56 0.37 0.46 1.29 0.94 1.11 0.41 0.65
Dy 3.1 3.7 2.16 2.2 7.04 4.7 4.7 2.18 3.43
Ho 0.59 0.75 0.46 0.42 1.46 0.91 0.85 0.44 0.72
Er 1.58 2.06 1.44 1.28 4.57 2.68 2.45 1.38 2.22
Tm 0.19 0.25 0.23 0.19 0.74 0.4 0.33 0.2 0.36
Yb 1.16 1.51 1.26 1.05 4.09 2.08 1.74 1.15 1.94
Lu 0.27 0.34 0.19 0.15 0.61 0.29 0.25 0.17 0.29
ΣREE 80.71 100.22 26.07 60.84 111.02 65.88 126.89 30.48 60.11

Rock type Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Trondhjemite Trondhjemite Trondhjemite Trondhjemite

Sample BS-1D BS-1G BS-1H BS-1K BS-1L DV-1A TY-1 TY-1A TY1-B

SiO2 51.87 50.99 50.87 51.3 51.19 71.92 74.09 73.61 74.72
Al2O3 12.06 12.1 12.07 11.93 11.98 16.37 15.39 15.5 15.03
TiO2 1.92 1.81 1.93 2.1 1.97 0.78 0.81 0.61 0.72
Fe2O3 16.19 16.26 16.35 16.39 16.41 0.17 0.25 0.08 0.18
MnO 0.2 0.18 0.23 0.2 0.18 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
MgO 5.17 5.36 5.46 5.61 5.84 0.17 0.25 0.08 0.18
CaO 8.61 8.59 8.45 8.54 8.26 3.1 0.93 2.3 1.95
Na2O 2 1.89 1.95 1.84 1.67 5.37 6.33 5.76 5.79
K2O 0.61 0.62 0.53 0.68 0.57 0.48 0.42 0.48 0.45
P205 0.29 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.25 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.02
Sum 98.92 98.07 98.13 98.9 98.32 98.41 98.28 98.39 99.05

Trace elements
Sc 42.34 41.2 44.94 42.22 42.28 1.847 1.986 1.769 1.805
V 426.85 411.08 458.72 426.64 425.04 2.352 2.523 1.806 1.321
Cr 26.55 15.4 23.06 19.4 23.41 3.023 4.06 3.104 0.903
Co 46.77 43.69 56.6 48.09 54.18 1.198 1.851 1.238 0.526
Ni 23.68 22.55 40.13 26.92 41.39 0.4 0.768 0.515 0.057
Cu 80.02 76.48 125.1 101.55 140.59 0.189 0.295 0.204 0.127
Zn 137.73 133.61 158.9 162.51 140.28 6.41 14.95 10.96 10.19
Ga 21.53 21.51 23.5 21.43 20.97 16.99 12.10 13.34 13.09
Rb 26.61 31.6 22.1 38.48 30.44 1.89 5.748 4.099 4.225
Sr 175.6 180.44 178.97 169.57 152.4 469.2 430.8 140.89 161.1
Y 45.56 45.48 46.8 45.58 40.78 0.911 2.183 1.21 2.123
Zr 37.92 54.26 57.5 42.44 52.72 1.794 7.459 10.122 18.59
Nb 12.42 12.71 13.02 12.45 12.02 0.604 0.987 0.777 0.945
Cs 2.84 3.28 1.52 3.6 1.87 0.136 0.303 0.228 0.212
Ba 235.22 219.78 200.8 225.07 173.26 338.12 240.65 225.65 295.8
Hf 1.1 1.58 1.65 1.19 1.47 0.061 0.312 0.444 0.859
Ta 2.06 2.11 2.27 2.21 2.15 0.074 0.064 0.061 0.097
Pb 6.14 4.99 6.9 8.45 4.74 13.804 17.747 26.215 19.75
Th 2.32 2.08 2.26 2.21 1.99 0.244 0.603 0.5 0.303
U 0.4 0.28 0.27 0.22 0.24 0.156 0.351 0.239 0.404

REE
La 14.67 14.59 15.34 12.57 12.93 2.93 6.19 6.362 5.371
Ce 37.69 36.89 39.23 33.5 34.92 3.912 9.488 8.817 7.372
Pr 4.34 4.34 4.25 3.99 3.92 0.385 0.781 0.746 0.618
Nd 25.32 25.53 26.11 23.67 23.64 1.578 2.765 2.717 2.071
Sm 6.5 6.66 6.84 6.39 6.12 0.249 0.434 0.431 0.36
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265 255

Table 1 (continued)
Rock type Gabbro Dolerite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite Amphibolite

Sample D-16 D-4 MV-7 MV-3 MV-4 D-11 D-15 D-29 D-29B

Eu 1.91 1.96 2 1.93 1.85 0.541 0.474 0.625 0.593

Gd 7.97 8.01 8.34 7.89 7.44 0.245 0.443 0.397 0.366
Tb 1.32 1.35 1.4 1.35 1.23 0.028 0.062 0.05 0.059
Dy 7.2 7.26 7.5 7.31 6.65 0.154 0.356 0.25 0.386
Ho 1.52 1.5 1.54 1.5 1.37 0.015 0.039 0.234 0.039
Er 4.7 4.6 4.91 4.79 4.32 0.051 0.138 0.024 0.126
Tm 0.77 0.75 0.78 0.77 0.68 0.006 0.17 0.07 0.015
Yb 4.32 4.02 4.41 4.33 3.75 0.056 0.189 0.007 0.165
Lu 0.64 0.58 0.67 0.65 0.57 0.008 0.031 0.085 0.03
ΣREE 118.87 118.04 123.32 110.64 109.39 10.158 21.56 20.815 17.571

5. Geochemistry
5.1. Pyroxenites
The ultramafic rocks show high CaO (4.15–7.72 wt.%), SiO2 (48.2–
51.01 wt.%), moderately high total alkalis (K2O + Na2O N28 wt.%), low
Al2O3 (4.31 to 5.28 wt.%) and depleted MgO (24.2–28.1 wt.%). The
Mg# (100 × MgO/MgO + FeOt) ranges from 74 to 77. The trace
element concentrations include high Ni (389–993 ppm) and mark-
edly high concentration of Cr (5259–11,754 ppm). The binary plots
with reference to MgO show positive correlation with SiO2, Al2O3
FeOt, CaO, TiO2, P2O5, and negative correlation with Zr and no
difference with Ni, Cr (Fig. 8). On ternary diagram (Na2O + K2O–
Fe2O3–MgO (Fig. 9a)), these rocks plot within the arc cumulate field.
The rocks show total REE ranges from 25.51 to 97.01 ppm and high
La/YbN ratio (1.45 to 12.68, mean 3.65). Ce/YbN ratio (1.59 to 8.16) is
depleted with an average value of 3.12. On normalized chondrite, the
REE patterns of these rocks show slight HREE enrichment (Fig. 10a)
with a flat trends in the absence of any significant fractionation. On
primitive mantle-normalized diagram the rocks show slight LILE
enrichment (Cs, Rb, Ba) and depletion of HFSE (Ti, Nb, Hf, Tb),
together with negative Sr, Zr, and Ho anomalies (Fig. 10b).
5.2. Gabbros
The gabbros show high SiO2 concentration ranging from 50 to
52 wt.% and their MgO values show a range of 9.81–13.39 wt.%. They
have relatively low Mg# (100 × MgO/MgO + FeO t) ranging from 46 to
59. The FeO t contents are slightly higher (7.7–12 wt.%) concentrations
than those of amphibolites. The rocks show low TiO2 concentration
varying from 0.27 to 0.43 wt.%; with a value of 0.35 wt.%. The binary
plots with reference to MgO show positive correlation with SiO2,
Al2O3 FeOt, CaO, TiO2, P2O5, and Zr and no difference with Ni, Cr
(Fig. 8). The chondrite-normalized REE patterns (Fig. 10c) show slight
LREE enrichment with a general flat trend, representing marginal
fractionation of magma. La/YbN ratio ranges from 2.51 to 6.99
(average 4.74) and Ce/YbN ratio shows a range of 2.86–6.73 (mean
4.5), with a minor negative Eu anomaly. Primitive mantle-normalized
trace element patterns (Fig. 10d) of the gabbros show negative
anomalies of Rb, Nb, Sr, and Eu with enrichment of LILE.

Table 2
SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data of two trondhjemite samples of DVN1 and DVN4 from the Devanur Ophiolite Complex.

Grain Pba U Th Th/U 204

Pb 206
Pb ± 206
Pba/238U ± 207
Pba/ 206
Pb ± Apparent ages (Ma)
spot 206
(ppm) (ppm) (ppm) Pb/238U ± 207
Pb/206Pb ±

DVN 1
Trondhjemite
1.1 1401 3690 235 0.06 0.00008 0.00001 0.37704 0.00215 0.15373 0.000250 2062.4 10.1 2387.8 2.8
1.2 449 1418 104 0.07 0.00000 0.00000 0.31543 0.00221 0.14530 0.001030 1767.4 10.9 2291.4 12.3
2.1 528 1122 344 0.31 0.00009 0.00001 0.43827 0.00402 0.16284 0.002250 2342.9 18.0 2485.4 23.5
3.1 220 418 144 0.34 0.00000 0.00000 0.48404 0.01327 0.16422 0.004660 2544.8 57.9 2499.6 48.6
4.1 276 524 233 0.44 0.00002 0.00001 0.47425 0.00431 0.16171 0.001780 2502.2 18.9 2473.7 18.7
5.1 486 976 234 0.24 0.00002 0.00000 0.47038 0.00492 0.16498 0.001850 2485.2 21.6 2507.3 18.9
6.1 364 1155 144 0.12 0.00022 0.00002 0.31071 0.00212 0.14582 0.000630 1744.2 10.4 2297.5 7.5
8.1 277 691 183 0.26 0.00004 0.00001 0.37791 0.00818 0.15378 0.003440 2066.5 38.4 2388.4 38.6
9.1 188 413 242 0.59 −0.00001 0.00001 0.39685 0.00930 0.16438 0.003700 2154.5 43.1 2501.3 38.4
10.1 257 536 218 0.41 0.00005 0.00001 0.43780 0.00453 0.15575 0.001110 2340.8 20.4 2410.0 12.2
11.1 174 357 130 0.36 0.00005 0.00002 0.44212 0.00875 0.17080 0.003880 2360.1 39.2 2565.5 38.5

DVN 4
Trondhjemite
3.1 61 65 237 3.66 0.00015 0.00005 0.52148 0.01240 0.16244 0.00326 2705.5 52.8 2481.2 34.2
4.1 247 926 186 0.20 0.00072 0.00005 0.26033 0.00772 0.14519 0.00457 1491.5 39.6 2290.0 55.2
5.1 173 292 130 0.45 0.00001 0.00000 0.53286 0.00676 0.17336 0.00180 2753.5 28.5 2590.3 17.4
6.1 158 249 197 0.79 0.00001 0.00001 0.53816 0.01674 0.16459 0.00556 2775.7 70.6 2503.4 58.0
7.1 384 1433 110 0.08 0.00000 0.00000 0.27006 0.00314 0.13203 0.00128 1541.1 16.0 2125.2 17.1
8.1 256 348 270 0.78 0.00001 0.00001 0.60575 0.01338 0.17773 0.00418 3053.0 54.0 2631.8 39.7
9.1 232 565 78 0.14 0.00029 0.00003 0.39379 0.00506 0.15966 0.00330 2140.4 23.4 2452.1 35.4
10.1 206 326 150 0.46 0.00002 0.00001 0.56211 0.00892 0.18259 0.00319 2875.3 36.9 2676.5 29.2
11.1 259 434 352 0.81 0.00003 0.00001 0.48743 0.00805 0.17227 0.00480 2559.6 35.0 2579.9 47.4
12.1 119 158 297 1.88 0.00000 0.00000 0.50192 0.00958 0.16892 0.00246 2622.1 41.3 2547.0 24.6
13.1 204 398 329 0.83 0.00089 0.00011 0.42927 0.00559 0.16386 0.00232 2302.4 25.3 2495.9 24.1
256 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 8. Binary plots for pyroxenites and gabbros: Mg (wt.%) vs. SiO2 (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. Al2O3 (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. FeO(t) (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. CaO (wt.%); MgO (wt.%) vs. TiO2
(wt.%); MgO (wt.%) vs. P2O5 (wt.%) Mg (wt.%) vs. Ni (ppm); Mg (wt.%) vs. Cr (ppm); and Mg (wt.%) vs. Zr (ppm), triangle represents gabbros and circle represents pyroxenites.
5.3. Mafic dykes
The mafic dykes are mostly amphibolites/metabasites (except
sample D-4, which is a metadolerite) showing high SiO2 content in the
range of 48.19–51.39 wt.%. The metadolerite shows a relatively higher
silica content of 54.6 wt.% and total alkalis (Na2O + K2O mean
7.65 wt.%). They have relatively lower Al2O3, CaO and high FeO t
(14.6 wt.%) contents as compared to those of the gabbroic rocks. MgO
ranges from 4.9 to 10.7 wt.% and Mg# shows a range of 26.4–51.5. In
binary plots of the mafic dykes with reference to MgO (Fig. 11) these
rocks show positive correlations between MgO and FeO t, Cr and Ni
contents, and negative correlation with SiO2, Al2O3, and Zr. There is a
slight variation in TiO2 content corresponding to the presence of
garnet. In the CaO vs. MgO diagram, the mafic dykes slight positive
correlation and there is no change observed with P2O5. In the Cr vs.
MgO and Ni vs. MgO binary variation diagrams, the data display
increase in Cr and Ni with decreasing MgO content. However, Zr vs.
MgO relations do not exhibit any correlation.
The major and trace element geochemistry of mafic dykes of DOC
were plotted in various discrimination diagrams of relatively immobile
elements such as Ti, V, Cr, Y, and Zr. In (Zr/TiO2) × 0.0001 vs. SiO2 wt.%
diagram (Fig. 12a) many of the samples plot in the subalkaline-
andesitic fields. In SiO2 vs. Na2O + K2O plot, all samples fall in the
subalkaline field (Fig. 12b). The V vs. Cr plots of all the rock units shows
tholeiitic to calc-alkaline trend (Fig. 12c). Similarly, in the AFM diagram
(Fig. 9a), many of these mafic dykes follow a tholeiitic fractionation
trend showing pronounced Fe (+ Ti) enrichment in garnet rich
amphibolites, while these dykes show tholeiitic–calcalkaline affinity
with low TiO2 and high FeO t. However, the garnet rich amphibolite
shows slightly higher concentration of up to 2.1 wt.% of TiO2. Zr ppm vs.
P2O5 wt.% plot shows that these dykes fall in tholeiitic basalt field
(Fig. 12d).
The dykes show relative LREE enrichment with La/YbN ratio of
1.49–9.3 (average 3.27). Their Ce/YbN ratio ranges between 1.58 and
6.91 with an average of 3.19, and without any Eu anomalies (Fig. 13a).
MORB normalized plots (Fig. 13b) of mafic dykes show LILE (K, Rb, Ba,
Th) enrichment and HFSE (Ti, Nb, Hf,) depletion with negative Nb
anomalies.
5.4. Trondhjemites
Ophiolitic trondhjemites are considered as the possible analog for
Hadean felsic crust and forms in the modern oceanic crust through the
interaction of sea water with mafic rocks formed at the roof zone of a
magma chamber (Rollinson, 2008). Although trondhjemites form
only a small component of oceanic crust in Archean and younger
terranes, they constitute significant units of Archean TTG terrains.
Kopek et al. (2004) proposed that melting of oceanic gabbros at
temperatures in N900 °C in presence of water would produce
trondhjemitic melts. The geochemistry of trondhjemites from the
DOC show uniformly elevated SiO2 (71.9–74.7 wt.%), Al2O3 (15.03–
16.4 wt.%), and Na2O (5.37–6.33 wt.%) and very low K2O (042–
0.48 wt.%). The CIPW normative anorthite content of these rocks
ranges from An29 to An35. The ACF (Na2O–K2O–CaO) plotting (Fig. 9b)
and normative Ab–An–Or plot (Fig. 9c) classify these rocks as
trondhjemites. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of these
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 9. (a) Fe2O3–Na2O + K2O–MgO geochemical classification diagram of pyroxenites, gabbros and mafic dykes (after Irvine and Baragar, 1971; Beard, 1986; Parlak et al., 2000);
(b) K2O + Na2O + CaO ternary plot for classification of trondjhemites (after Barker and Arth, 1976); and (c) ternary diagram of showing CIPW normative content of Ab–An–Or plot
for classification trondjhemites (after O'connor, 1965).
trondhjemites (Fig. 14a) show a sub-parallel distribution similar to
those of the plagiogranites from Manamedu Complex further south of
the present study area (Yellappa et al., 2010) with higher LREE
enrichment. Their La/YbN ratio ranges from 22.57 to 63.03. The Ocean
ridge normalized plots show enrichment of K2O, Rb and Ba and
depletion of Hf and Zr (Fig. 14b).
5.5. Tectonic significance
The geochemical data from the mafic dykes and trondhjemites of the
DOC were plotted on various major, trace and REE tectonic discrimination
diagrams (Figs. 13–15), which are typically used for distinguishing Mid
Oceanic Ridge Basalt (MORB) and Island Arc Tholeiite (IAT). In the Y vs. Cr
diagram many samples of mafic dykes plot in the IAT field (Fig. 15a) and a
few overlap with MORB. Similarly Ti vs. Zr diagram (Pearce, 1980) the
rocks fall in the IAT and the region overlapping the IAT-MORB fields
(Fig. 15b). In Ti vs. V plots of mafic dykes (Fig. 15c), some are plotted in
IAT field and the others in MORB field, which can be correlated with the
enrichment of Ti in garnet-bearing amphibolites. In TiO2 vs. Al2O3 many
samples plot in arc-related field and some show overlap with within
plate basalts (Fig. 15d). In normalized MORB plots (Fig. 13b) these dykes
show LILE (K, Rb, Ba, Th) enrichment and HFSE (Ti, Nb, Hf,) depletion
with negative Nb anomalies consistent with a suprasubduction zone
(SSZ) origin. The Th/Yb vs. Ta/Yb plots (Fig. 16) of the mafic dyke rocks
display a distinct island arc to calc-alkaline signature, a few with depleted
mantle source and the other samples (garnet bearing amphibolites)
257
showing enriched mantle signature. The rocks are plotted in the field for
slight fractionation, and with significant crustal contamination.
The trondhjemites from Devanur were evaluated using the various
tectonic discrimination diagrams such as Rb vs. Nb + Y (Fig. 15e) and
Ta vs. Yb (Fig. 15f). The plots suggest a volcanic arc granite (VAG)
affinity. Ocean ridge granite normalized patterns (normalized values
are from Pearce et al., 1984b) (Fig. 14b) of these rocks display
relatively low HFS element contents and highly variable LIL elements.
The HFS elements are particularly depleted relative to those of ORG
and show negative Nb–Ta anomalies. These geochemical character-
istics are typical of SSZ arc granitoids and are similar to the
plagiogranites of the MOC described by Yellappa et al. (2010).
6. Geochronology
The zircon grains from two trondhjemite samples are fine- to
medium-sized (50–150 μm diameters) and have similar subspherical
to spherical morphologies. CL imaging revealed that all grains show
weak oscillatory or sector zoning typical of magmatic cores over-
grown by distinct thin, CL bright rims (Figs. 17 and 18). The outer
layer of none of the grains was thick enough to be analyzed by
SHRIMP. The cores of zircons from the two trondhjemite samples
show mostly igneous Th/U ratios and show ages ranging from nearly
concordant at ~2.5 Ga to more than 30 to 60% discordant (Fig. 19a). To
some extent the distribution of analyses is related to the textural
setting; 50% of the core analyses fall in a near-concordant cluster,
whereas some core analyses are dispersed along the discordance lines
258 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 10. (a) Chondrite normalized diagram for the pyroxenites (Sun and McDonough, 1989); (b) Rock/Primitive mantle normalized plots of pyroxenites (after Sun and McDonough,
1989); (c) Chondrite normalized diagram for the gabbros (after Sun and McDonough, 1989); and (d) Rock/Primitive mantle normalized plots of gabbros (after Sun and McDonough,
1989).
which projects to a Neoproterozoic lower intersection (ca. 899–
807 Ma) with the concordia. The age distribution also shows a
relationship with Th/U. All analyses with relatively high Th/U are
concordant, whereas the analyses with low Th/U best define the
discordance line. The core analyses from sample DVN1 and DVN4 are
slightly scattered about straight lines (MSWD = 3.2 and MSWD = 2.8)
with the concordia intersection ages of 2528 ± 61 Ma (95% confidence
level.) and 899 ± 270 Ma (95% confidence level) and 2545 ± 56 Ma
(95% confidence level) and 807 ± 210 Ma (95% confidence level),
respectively (Fig. 19a and b). The preferred interpretation of the
isotopic data is that two trondhjemite samples (DVN1and DVN4)
represent magmatic rocks that crystallized at 2545 to 2528 Ma from
single source magma. The rock then recrystallized during Neoproter-
ozoic high grade metamorphism or high temperature igneous activity.
7. Discussion
The magmatic units in ophiolite complexes provide important
information on the processes of melt generation during various stages
of lithosphere production, contributing to our understanding of the
tectonic setting and formation of oceanic lithosphere as well as the
processes of crustal accretion during different stages of Earth history
(Dilek and Newcomb, 2003; Metcalf and Shervais, 2008; Dilek and
Furnes, 2011). The Archean oceanic crust was thicker due to the
potentially higher mantle temperatures (Sleep and Windley, 1982;
McKenzie and Bickle, 1988; Kerrich and Polat, 2006; Kusky and Polat,
1999). In such case, it is possible that only the crustal section was
obducted or accreted, with the ultramafic units subducted and
destroyed (Kusky and Kidd, 1992). Dilek and Robinson (2003)
suggested that thick basaltic sequences, with or without komatiites,
which occur in many Archean greenstone belts, might represent the
remnants of a Caribbean-type oceanic-plateau ophiolites. A complete
ophiolite consists of submarine basaltic volcanic rocks (mainly pillow
lavas), sheeted dikes, a plutonic complex, and upper-mantle rocks.
However, many of the ophiolite complexes reported from various
parts of the globe lack one or more of these components (Dilek and
Robinson, 2003). The mafic dykes in DOC are rarely exposed and no
pillow lavas have been mapped. Deformational features such as
intense folding and shearing suggest the existence of local thrusting
which might be related to roll back system during subduction and
subsequent metamorphism.
The geochemical features of basaltic products from obducted slabs
of old oceanic lithosphere are useful signatures to interpret the
structure and magmatic evolution of oceanic crust formed at ancient
spreading centers as well as the geological evolution of different
tectonic units of accreted terranes (Shervais, 2001; Pearce, 2003). The
geochemical signature of mafic dykes from the DOC of present study
shows enrichment of LILE and depletion of HFSE with clear negative
Nb anomalies (Fig. 13b). The standard tectonic discrimination plots
(Y vs. Cr, Ti vs. Zr) of these mafic dykes show an Island Arc Tholeiite
signature, with rare exceptions (Fig. 15a and b). These characteristics
are typical of ophiolitic rocks formed in a suprasubduction zone
environment (Pearce et al., 1984a) and have been described from
many SSZ ophiolites worldwide such as Semail ophiolite, Oman
(Godard et al., 2003; Tamura and Arai, 2006), Troodos ophiolite,
Cyprus (Robinson and Malpas, 1990; Robinson et al., 2003) Kizildag
ophiolite, Turkey (Baci et al., 2005; Dilek and Thy, 2009), Pozanti–
Karsanti ophiolites, Southern Turkey (Parlak et al., 2002), Harmanick
ophiolites, NW Turkey (Manav et al., 2004), Careon ophiolite in NW
Spain (Martinez et al., 2007), ophiolites of Isua supracrustal belt,
Greenland (Furnes et al., 2007, 2009), Evros ophiolites in NE Greece
(Bonev and Stampfli, 2009), ophiolites in the Izmir–Ankara–Erzincan
suture zone, Turkey (Sarifakioglu, et al., 2009), among other
examples. The geochemical data of amphibolites from the DOC
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 11. Bowen diagrams for mafic dykes: Mg (wt.%) vs. SiO2 (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. TiO2 (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. Al2O3 (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. FeO(t) (wt.%); Mg (wt.%) vs. CaO (wt.%); Mg
(wt.%) vs. Ni (ppm); Mg (wt.%) vs. Cr (ppm); and Mg (wt.%) vs. Zr (ppm).
obtained in the present suggest that their protoliths consist of basaltic
rocks with calc-alkaline differentiation trends. The ultramafic rocks
(pyroxenites) show high Mg# (74.11–77.11) and high Ni contents
with primitive magma characteristics. The depletion of Nb, Rb and Sr
and enrichment of Ba might be products of the subsequent granulite
facies metamorphism witnessed by these rocks (Fig. 10b) The
unusually low Mg# of Devanur gabbroic rocks indicates that their
parental basaltic melts were not primitive (Mg-number N60) and
their high Al2O3 contents might indicate, the evolved arc magmas
(c.15–20 Al2O3 wt.% for Mg-number range 40–50; e.g. Beard, 1986;
Beard and Day, 1986). The pronounced positive Eu anomalies in
trondhjemites (Fig. 14a) indicate the involvement of feldspar during
fractionation and/or melting.
The nature of Archean crust and tectonic processes during the
evolution of early Earth is still controversial. The presence of
ophiolites in Archean orogenic belts remains an enigma, and little is
known about Archean oceanic crust (Sylvester et al., 1997; Kusky and
Polat, 1999; Dilek and Newcomb, 2003; Kusky, 2004). The question
whether the Archean geological record shows unequivocal evidence
for the existence of ophiolites remains debated (Bickle et al., 1994;
Abbott, 1996; Kusky, 2004; Zhao et al., 2005). 2.5 Ga marks the
important period of Archean–Proterozoic transition in the earth
history. The 2528 ± 61 and 2545 ± 56 Ma 238U– 206Pb SHRIMP ages
obtained from magmatic zircons in the two trondhjemite samples
(Fig. 19a and b) from the DOC provides clear indication that these
zircons crystallized in magmas generated at ca. 2.5 Ga. Similar aged
ophiolites have described from other parts of the world, such as the
259
Dongwanzi and Wutaishan areas, in the North China Craton (Kusky et
al., 2001; Polat, et al., 2005). Recent studies have reported zircon U–Pb
ages from charnockite and quartzo-feldspathic garnet gneiss from the
CSZ which show magmatic crystallization ages of 207Pb/ 206Pb ages of
2536.1 ± 1.4 Ma and 2532.4 ± 3.7 Ma and metamorphic overgrowths
at 2477.6 ± 1.8 Ma and 2483.9 ± 2.5 Ma (Saitoh et al., 2011 in press).
Syntectonic granites with zircon U–Pb ages of 2647 ± 11 Ma em-
placement and 2443 ± 20 Ma metamorphism have also been reported
from this area (Sato et al., 2010). These Neoarchean emplacement and
metamorphic ages are coeval with the available magmatic (2530–
2540 Ma) and metamorphic (2470–2480 Ma) ages from the char-
nockites reported from the Salem area in northern margin of the CSZ
based precise SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating (Clark et al., 2009). Similar
ID-TIMS zircon age has been obtained from an orthogneiss (2528 ±
1.7 Ma) from Kattur, south of Salem, (Ghosh et al., 2004) within the
terrain.
Recent studies have also brought out several early Neoproterozoic
ages from the PCSZ. The plagiogranites associated with the Mana-
medu ophiolite complex carry magmatic zircons with U–Pb ages of
800 ± 11 Ma (Sato et al., 2011). An age of 880 Ma was obtained for
mafic granulites based on Sm–Nd isochron method by Bhutani and
Balakrishnan (2010). Although, the 807 ± 210 Ma, 899 ± 270 Ma
intercepts obtained from zircons in the trondhjemites of present
study represent highly discordant ages, they are closely comparable
with the similar ages described above, suggesting major Pb-loss
during the Neoproterozoic thermal event identified in other studies.
Combining the data from Devanur and Manamedu, and in conjunction
260 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265

Fig. 12. Variation diagrams of mafic dykes: (a) (Zr/TiO2) × 0.0001 vs. SiO2 geochemical discrimination diagram (after Winchester and Floyd, 1977); (b) SiO2 vs. total alkalies (Na2O + K2O)
variation diagram (after Irvine and Baragar, 1971); (c) V (ppm) vs. Cr (ppm) diagram (after Miyashiro and Shido, 1975) TH: tholeiitic, CA: calcalkaline; and (d) Zr (ppm) vs. P2O5 (wt.%)
variation diagram (after Winchester, and Floyd, 1976).

with the available age data for other rock types in this region, we infer the Neoarchean and in the Neoproterozoic. Whereas the suprasub-
that there were at least two major episodes of oceanic crust duction complex in DOC represents the remnants of a Neoarchean
generation and subduction, followed by accretion and collision — in oceanic crust, the Manamedu-type occurrence belongs to the
Neoproterozoic ocean closure.

Fig. 13. (a) Chondrite normalized diagram for the mafic dykes (after Sun and Fig. 14. (a) Chondrite normalized diagram for the trondjhemites (after Sun and
McDonough, 1989); (b) MORB normalized incompatible element diagram for mafic McDonough, 1989); and (b) ocean ridge granite normalized diagram for the
dykes (after Sun and McDonough, 1989; Alabaster et al., 1982). trondhjemites (after Pearce et al., 1984b).
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265 261

Fig. 15. Tectonic discrimination diagrams of mafic dykes and trondhjemites: (a) Y (ppm) vs. Cr (ppm) diagram for mafic dykes (after Pearce and Norry, 1979); (b) Ti (ppm) vs. Zr
(ppm) discrimination diagram for and mafic dykes, IAT: island arc Tholeiite, MORB: mid ocean ridge basalt, WPB: within-plate-basalt (after Pearce, 1980); (c) Ti (ppm) vs. V (ppm)
discrimination diagram for mafic dykes, IAT: island arc tholeiite, MORB: mid ocean ridge basalts (after Shervais, 1982); (d) Al2O3 vs. TiO2 (wt.%) discrimination diagram (after
Mullen, 1983); (e) Rb(ppm) vs. Y + Nb(ppm) of trondhjemites plotted in tectonic environment discrimination diagram for granitic rocks, ORG: ocean ridge granites; VAG: volcanic
arc granites; WPG: within plate granites (after Pearce et al., 1984b); and (f) Ta (ppm) vs. Yb (ppm) of trondhjemites plotted in tectonic environment discrimination diagram for
granitic rocks, ORG: ocean ridge granites; VAG: volcanic arc granites; WPG: within plate granites (after Pearce et al., 1984b).

Fig. 20 is a cartoon showing the schematic plate tectonic model for
the development of the Devanur ophiolites in a suprasubduction zone
(SSZ) setting (Shervais, 1982; Dilek and Robinson, 2003; Dilek and
Polat, 2008) during Neoarchean ocean closure. The model envisages
rifting at the southern margin (present co-ordinates) of the Dharwar,
probably induced by a mantle plume by analogy with modern
examples. This was followed by the opening of ocean basin, creation
of oceanic crust and subsequent stretching followed by ocean–ocean
collision with the generation of arc magmas. Further, this was
followed by arc-continent collision, subduction of oceanic crust
below the continental crust. The convergent margin processes
witnessed magmatism and metamorphism, with the ophiolitic
fragments introduced into continental margin through the accretion-
ary wedge along Palghat–Cauvery Suture Zone in the final stage of
subduction.

8. Conclusions

1. The field observations, petrological and geochemical characteris-

tics of Devanur Ophiolite Complex indicate that the rocks in this
Fig. 16. Th/Yb vs. Ta/Yb tectonic discrimination of mafic dykes (after Pearce, 1982), complex represent fragments of a dismembered ophiolite se-
S: shoshonitc, TH: tholeiitic, and CA: calcalkaline. quence emplaced as a thrust slice.
262 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
Fig. 17. Cathodoluminescence (CL) images of subhedral to rounded zircon in
trondhjemite sample DVN 1 from the Devanur Ophiolite Complex. Numbered spots
are locations of representative SHRIMP analysis with the measured 207Pb/206U age in
Ma.
Fig. 18. Cathodoluminescence (CL) images of subhedral to rounded zircon in
trondhjemite sample DVN 4 from the Devanur Ophiolite Complex. Numbered spots
are locations of representative SHRIMP analysis with the measured 207Pb/206U age in
Ma.
Fig. 19. (a) and (b) Concordia plots of SHRIMP U–Pb isotopic analyses of zircon from
two trondhjemite samples DVN1 and DVN4 from the Devanur Ophiolite Complex.
2. SHRIMP geochronology of magmatic zircons from the trondhjemite
in the DOC yield 238U– 206Pb ages of ca. 2.5 Ga, indicating a
Neoarchean subduction system.
3. The geochemical features of ultramafics, gabbros, mafic dykes and
felsic intrusives from Devanur complex suggest that the magmas
intruded in a forearc environment associated with island arc
magmatism synchronous with the accretion of oceanic crust.
Tectonic discrimination plots and incompatible-element contents
of the mafic rocks suggest a suprasubduction zone affinity.
4. The Neoarchean magmatic ages from Devanur complex correlate
with similar ages reported from charnockites and orthogneisses in
the region. The ca. 800 Ma thermal resetting recorded from these
zircons correlate with similar ages reported from magmatic zircons
in suprasubduction assemblages within the same suture zone, with
the latter also preserving late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian meta-
morphic imprints. These results suggest that the Palghat–Cauvery
Suture Zone witnessed at least two major ocean closure events, one
around the Archean–Proterozoic boundary and the other around
Precambrian–Cambrian boundary.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Director, NGRI, Hyderabad for providing
facilities, encouragement and permission to publish this paper. We are
 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265 263

Fig. 20. Cartoons showing a schematic tectonic model for the development of suprasubductuion zone ophiolites in the Cauvery Suture Zone.

thankful to our colleagues Dr. V. Balaram and Dr. M. Satyanarayanan and Polat and Prof. Tim Kusky, reviewers from Gondwana Research, and
Mr. Savanth for their help in geochemical analysis. We thank to Dr. handling editor Dr. Inna Safonova, for their valuable suggestions and
Sungwon Kim for his kind help with the processing of the SHRIMP data comments. This work forms part of our international collaborative
at Yonsei University, Seoul and Republic of Korea. We thank Prof. Ali programs of INSA-JSPS and AISRF.
264 T. Yellappa et al. / Gondwana Research 21 (2012) 246–265
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