Tectonic Setting of the Kadiri Schist Belt, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract Plate tectonic activity has played a critical role in the development of petrotectonic associations in the Kadiri schist belt. The calc alkaline association of basalt, andesite, dacite and rhyolite (BADR) is the signature volcanic rock suite of the convergent margin. The N‐S belt has gone below the unconformity plane of Cuddapah sediments. In the northern part geochemical and structural attributes of the Kadiri greenstone belt is studied along with microscopic observations of selected samples. Harker diagram plots of major elements generally indicate a liquid line of descent from a common source, such that BADR rocks are derived from a common parent magma of basaltic to andesitic composition. These calc‐alkaline volcanic rocks are formed at convergent margins where more silicic rocks represent more highly fractionated melt. All the litho‐units of this greenstone belt indicate crush and strain effects. The stretched pebbles in the deformed volcanic matrix with tectonite development along with associated greenschist facies metamorphism, alteration and hydration is remarkable. Flow foliation plane with N‐S strike and very low angle (5° to 10°) easterly dip and N‐S axial planar schistosity formed due to later phase isoclinal folding can be clearly identified in the field. Basic intrusives are quite common in the surrounding area. All the observations including the field setting and geochemistry clearly demonstrate ocean‐continent subduction as the tectonic environment of the study area.