Petrology of rift-related basalts at Bombay High waters, Arabian Sea

Abstract

Tholeiitic basalts obtained in 6 cores from Bombay High Region (Maharashtra, India), at depths of 860-2550 m below the seabed, are of low K and high Fe types. SiO sub(2) varies from 45.68 to 50.72%, K sub(2)O 0.09 to 0.69%, TiO sub(2) 1.06 to 2.39% and FeO super(t) 11.79 to 15.5%. The iron enrichment and the low Mg numbers suggest derivation of these basalts from extensive fractional crystallisation. These basalts are compositionally similar to rift related basaltic rocks associated with the opening of the Indian Ocean.