Evolution of Gondwana and its bearing on mantle dynamics : Comparative study on Proterozoic erogenic belts in southern Africa, India, and Antarctica.

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Geological filed works were conducted by the head investigator together with many scientists in several Gondwana fragments including India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, R.D.Congo, Namibia, Mozambique during the term (2001-2004) of this research program. About 20 scientists from various research institutes in Japan and 28 scientists from various countries were involved in this program. In addition, about 15 graduate students from universities participated in the field works as a part of their Ms or Ph.D. studies. In this research program, we focused mainly on Proterozoic collisional belts and examined geological structure and deformation features of metamorphic rocks.During field works, we collected wide ranges of rock samples for petrological, geochemical and isotopic studies. We determined Sr-and Nd-isotopic compositions of these rocks to identify metamorphic and protolith ages. We also applied CHIME and SHRIMP dating methods to understand evolution history of Gondwana. Petrological examinations were made to evaluate metamorphic P-T conditions and understand heat flux in upper mantle and lower continental crust. Extensive geochemical analyses were made to understand mass flux from mantle to lower crust during amalgamation and dispersal of Gondwana continent. The geological field works were carried out in mutual association with various research institutes including University of Allahabad, India, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar, Geological Survey of Sri Lanka, Geological Survey of Vietnam, Geological Survey of South Africa, Geological Survey of Namibia, Geological Survey of Pakistan. Research results were presented at the International Symposium on Gondwana Evolution and Dispersal held at Kochi University, Japan during Nov.13-15,2004. Publication list is given in the following page.