Abstract

Understanding the relationships governing geometry, kinematics and spatial properties of different types of crust (brittle, brittle-ductile, and ductile) and the controlling factors in their evolution in the spatio-temporal domain enables optimum utilization of earth resources. Large and small scale structural trends in the north-western part of the Deccan Volcanic Province in Central India are deciphered on the basis of horizontal gradient computations of gravity and magnetic data over the region, which may in turn be used to characterize the subsurface geometry amenable to hydrocarbon exploration. Two major roughly E-W trends are interpreted from gravity gradient maxima along the Tapti and Burhanpur lineaments. In the southern part strong NW-SE trends re-orienting to N-S trends may perhaps indicate basement trends which are continuations of those of the Dharwar craton to the south of the study area. North of the Tapti Lineament the structural grain is largely NE-SW and from their nature may be attributed to more recent tectonic activity possibly related to the Deccan Volcanism episode.