Geophysical signatures of craton-mobile belt interactions: determining the Neoproterozoic link between the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt and East Antarctica

Paleo continental reconstructions play a key role in understanding the sequential tectonic evolution of the present-day mineral systems as well as sedimentary basins. This thesis uses the Earth’s gravity and magnetic responses to understand the poorly exposed rock record of eastern India. We use this signature to determine how eastern India once connected to the geology of East Antarctica, which is largely buried beneath thick ice sheets. In doing this we reconstruct India and East Antarctica tectonic plate configuration for Earth a billion years ago. We also propose the tectonic processes for the merging of these continents.