Petrographic studies on a newly discovered Indo-Arabian stone anchor from the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat: Implications for source area
Abstract
Finding of stone anchors in the onshore and offshore regions of India points to maritime contacts with neighbouring countries. This communication reports a new Indo-Arabian type stone anchor recovered from a depth of 53 m off the coast of Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, India. The anchor stone is composed of sharp angular quartz and feldspar grains floating in a ferruginous matrix with point contacts between them as seen under a microscope. SEM–EDS studies showed few and isolated zircon and apatite grains as accessory mineral phases. The rock is identified as epiclastic sandstone derived from pyroclastic source rocks. A similar rock has been reported from the Habo Formation exposed near Jhikadi village, Kachchh, Gujarat.
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