Magma differentiation a case study of Ghat section of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra
Author(s): Prashant Uttamrao Terker
Abstract: This study investigates magma differentiation in the ghat section of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, within the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). The DVP represents one of the largest continental flood basalt provinces globally, yet the Ahmednagar region remains relatively underexplored. Fieldwork involved detailed stratigraphic mapping and sampling of multiple basalt flows, followed by petrographic examination and geochemical analyses of major, trace, and rare earth elements. Petrographic results reveal variations in mineralogy and texture, including zoned plagioclase phenocrysts and differing groundmass characteristics, indicative of complex crystallization histories. Geochemical data demonstrate systematic variations consistent with fractional crystallization as the primary mechanism of magma differentiation, with limited crustal assimilation. The integration of field, petrographic, and geochemical evidence supports a model in which mantle-derived basaltic magmas evolved through multi-stage processes involving fractional crystallization and periodic magma mixing in shallow magma chambers prior to eruption. These findings enhance the understanding of magmatic evolution within the DVP and contribute valuable data from a comparatively less-studied region. This study not only aids regional stratigraphic correlation but also offers insights into the dynamic magmatic processes governing continental flood basalt provinces.
Pages: 39-48 | Views: 24 | Downloads: 11Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Prashant Uttamrao Terker. Magma differentiation a case study of Ghat section of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Int J Geogr Geol Environ 2025;7(4):39-48.
