Structural trends in the Cuddapah basin from deep seismic soundings (DSS) and their tectonic implications

Structural trends in the upper Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, at the basement level and at the Moho level have been discussed based on Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) studies. Results of DSS studies along the Alampur-Koniki profile (profile 2 of Fig. 1) crossing the northern part of the Cuddapah basin have been discussed in detail. These results, combined with the results of the Kavali-Paranpalle section of the Kavali-Udipi DSS profile (profile 1 of Fig. 1, Kaila et al., 1979) crossing the basin on its southern flank, along with geological data and earthquake epicentral locations, are used to explain the structural trends of the area. It has been shown that the Cuddapah basin was first created in its western part by downfaulting of the crustal block between faults 7 and 14 towards the west and fault 6 in the east (Fig. 1). Subsequently, the eastern part was downfaulted against fault 6 before the commencement of upper Cuddapah sedimentation. Further downfaulting towards the north along fault 5 created the Srisailam block. Minor-scale downfaulting between faults 7 and 13 in the west and fault 6 in the east and fault 8 in the north gave rise to the Kurnool sub-basin at a later stage. Similar downfaulting east of fault 9 and north of fault 5 gave rise to the Palnad sub-basin. Both these sub-basins received Kurnool sediments. After the close of Kurnool sedimentation, the blocks between faults 4 and 6 along profile II and between 11 and 6 along profile I were uplifted at the basement level, thus giving rise to the Nallamalai hills and Iswarakuppam dome (Fig. 1). The low-angle thrust fault 3 on the eastern margin of the Cuddapah basin might be a post-Cuddapah phenomenon. The low-angle thrust fault 2 probably occurred in the post-Dharwar period. Faults 1, 17 and 10 near the east coast of India seem to be comparatively younger probably of Mesozoic time, along which the coastal block is downfaulted giving rise to the sedimentary basins.