Statistical Structure of the Aeromagnetic Anomaly Field Over the Cuddapah Basin and Adjoining Terrain: Implications in Interpreting Structure and Tectonics

The statistical structure of the aeromagnetic anomaly field over an area of approximately 30,000 sq. km of parts of eastern Dharwar craton and the western parts of Cuddapah basin has been studied. The distribution of statistical moments of aeromagnetic field showed two magnetically different zones, viz., one towards north of 14°45'N Lat., and the other to the south of it. Directional filtering operations over the exposed granite-greenstone terrain and the adjoining intracratonic Cuddapah basin has clearly brought out an ENE to E-W trending long linear possibly related to a deep seated tectonic feature. This mega lineament separates this part of the crust into two zones of different magnetic character. Filtering operation over the aeromagnetic data applying sequential trend suppression in E-W, NW-SE and ENE-WSW directions has clearly brought out magnetic trends striking nearly N-S. These nearly N-S trends may reflect the structures that controlled the development of greenstone belts or the structures resulted during the E-W compressional event.