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Provenance analysis of the Oligocene turbidites (Andaman Flysch), South Andaman Island: A geochemical approach

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Abstract

The Oligocene-aged sandstone-shale turbidites of the Andaman Flysch are best exposed along the east coast of the South Andaman Island. Previously undocumented sandstone-shale geochemistry, investigated here, provides important geochemical constraints on turbidite provenance. The average 70.75 wt% SiO2, 14.52 wt% Al2O3, 8.2 wt% Fe\(_{2}\textit {O}_{3}^{\mathrm {t}}+\)MgO and average 0.20 Al2O3/SiO2 and 1.08 K2O/Na2O ratios in sandstones, compare with quartzwackes. The shale samples have average 59.63 wt% SiO2, 20.29 wt% Al2O3, 12.63 wt% Fe\(_{2}\textit {O}_{3}^{\mathrm {t}}+\)MgO and average 2.42 K2O/Na2O and 0.34 Al2O3/SiO2 ratios. Geochemical data on CaO–Na2O–K2O diagram fall close to a granite field and on K2O/Na2O–SiO2 diagram within an active continental margin tectonic setting. The range and average values of Rb and Rb/Sr ratios are consistent with acid-intermediate igneous source rocks, while the values and ratios for Cr and Ni are with mafic rocks. Combined geochemical, petrographic and palaeocurrent data indicate a dominantly plutonic-metamorphic provenance with a lesser contribution from sedimentary and volcanic source, which is possibly the Shan–Thai continental block and volcanic arc of the north-eastern and eastern Myanmar. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) values suggests a moderate range of weathering of a moderate relief terrane under warm and humid climate.

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Acknowledgements

The paper has benefitted from the detailed and constructive criticism offered by the reviewers of the journal, who preferred to remain anonymous. Useful comments of Prof. Garzanti for the revised manuscript helped to improve the text. This research article is an outcome of a book writing project sponsored by DST, Govt. of India to PCB under USERS scheme (file no. SB/UR/14/2012). The logistic support was provided by the Department of Geology, University of Calcutta. The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial and logistic supports. Various technical helps, during the preparation of the manuscript, received from Mr Debaditya Bandopadhyay and in subsequent stages, from Miss Sukanya Chaudhury and Miss Soumi Chatterjee, research scholars, are acknowledged with affection and appreciation.

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BANDOPADHYAY, P.C., GHOSH, B. Provenance analysis of the Oligocene turbidites (Andaman Flysch), South Andaman Island: A geochemical approach. J Earth Syst Sci 124, 1019–1037 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-015-0586-5

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