Petrogenesis and tectonomagmatic environment of Naranag granites from Northwestern Kashmir Himalaya, India Akhtar R. Mir, Shamim A. Dar, Adil A. Bhat, Naseer A. Bhat, Irfan M. Bhat, J. Ukasha, Vikash Kumar, Shabber H. Alvi, V. Balaram, Santosh Kumar Geosystems and Geoenvironment, 2026 • Naranag granites are two-mica granites exhibiting peraluminous characteristics. • Partial melting of metasedimentary sources in a syn-collisional tectonic environment. • These granites are analogous to the Pan-African thermal event. Granites represent a fundamental component of the continental crust and provide valuable insights into crustal growth, recycling, and tectono-magmatic evolution through Earth’s history. The Early Paleozoic granitoids in the Himalaya are of particular significance as they record the influence of the Pan-African event (ca. 600–500 Ma), a major tectono-thermal event related with the assembly of Gondwana. Despite the occurance of numerous Pan-African granitoids across the Himalaya, several intrusions remain poorly characterized. One such body is the Naranag granites (NG) of the northwestern Himalaya, exposed over ∼15 km² in Ganderbal District, Kashmir. This study integrates detailed field relationships, petrographic observations, and whole-rock geochemistry to investigate the petrogenesis, source characteristics, and tectonic setting of the Naranag pluton. Field observations reveal that the Naranag granites are medium to coarse grained, whitish grey, and largely undeformed, with quartz, k-feldspar, plagioclase, and biotite ± muscovite minerals present. Pegmatitic and aplitic veins with tourmaline reflect late-stage magmatic evolution. Petrographic features, including graphic textures, perthitic intergrowths, and the presence of garnet and tourmaline, confirm a peraluminous, two-mica (S-type) affinity. Geochemical analyses show high SiO₂ (68.7–70.5 wt.%), elevated alkalis (Na₂O + K₂O = 8.3–9.1 wt.%), high alumina saturation indices (ASI =1.65–1.77), and enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, K, Pb) with depletion in high-field-strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti). These features, along with negative Ba–Sr anomalies and decreasing MgO, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and CaO with increasing SiO₂, reflect partial melting of metagraywacke-dominated lower crust under water-undersaturated conditions, followed by fractional crystallization of feldspars and biotite. Tectonic setting plots (Rb–Y–Nb; Rb vs. Y + Nb) and calc-alkaline affinity indicate emplacement in a syn-collisional to volcanic arc setting, consistent with other Early Paleozoic granitoids of the Himalaya, such as the Hant and Dalhousie granites, and comparable Pan-African intrusions globally. The Naranag granites thus represent a crust-derived melt generated during crustal thickening and orogenic heating associated with the Pan-African tectono-thermal regime. Their geochemical affinity and mineralogical signatures provide evidence for widespread Early Paleozoic granitic magmatism across the Himalaya linked to the assembly of Gondwana. This study highlights the significance of the Naranag granites as a key but previously underexplored record of Pan-African magmatism in the northwestern Himalaya. Future isotopic and geochronological investigations are recommended to refine their emplacement age and further constrain the relative contributions of crustal versus mantle sources in their genesis.
Deciphering Magma Mingling Processes in the Zouzan Pluton, Eastern Iran: Multi-Method Constraints from Zircon Geochronology, Nd-Sr Isotopes and Amphibole-Apatite Chemistry on Mafic Enclave Formation Seyed Ali Mazhari, Santosh Kumar Acta Geologica Sinica English Edition, 2026 The Zouzan pluton in the Lut Block (eastern Iran) comprises coeval gabbro–diorite and felsic intrusions that contain abundant mafic enclaves (MEs). Integrated zircon U‐Pb dating, whole‐rock Sr‐Nd isotopes and amphibole‐apatite chemistry are used to investigate ME formation. Zircon ages indicate synchronous emplacement of the gabbro–diorite, MEs, and granodiorite ca. 40 Ma. The MEs plot along a Sr‐Nd isotopic mixing line between mantle‐derived gabbro–diorite and more crustally contaminated granodiorite, supporting a magma‐mixing origin. Mineral chemistry, however, reveals more complex interactions. Apatite in MEs is acicular with trace element compositions intermediate between those of mafic and felsic magmas, indicating rapid crystallisation from a hybrid melt. Amphiboles display two distinct compositional groups: one matching gabbro–diorite amphiboles and the other resembling those in the granodiorite. This bimodality suggests that ME formation involved incomplete mixing, crystal transfer between magmas and variable re‐equilibration rather than simple hybridisation. A dynamic model is proposed in which mafic magma globules were injected into a partly crystallised felsic chamber, producing mingling, quenching and crystal exchange that ultimately shaped the petrographic and geochemical features of the Zouzan pluton.
Chemical Weathering of Rocks and Its Controlling Factors Chinthapally Narshimha, Santosh Kumar Biotechnology Innovations for A Sustainable Future Integrating Clean Energy Life on the Planet Clean Water and Climate Action, 2026
Magnetic Susceptibility and Its Correlation With Plagioclase and Whole-Rock Geochemistry of Neoarchean Granitoids From E-W Corridor of Bundelkhand Craton, Central India: Implication on Granite Series and Possible Link to Mineralization Gajender Kumar, Santosh Kumar Geological Journal, 2026 Based on field relationships, magnetic susceptibility (MS), phase petrology, and whole‐rock elemental geochemistry, we deduce the redox state, granite series, and mineralization potential of Neoarchean granites ( sensu lato ) from the E‐W crustal corridor of the Bundelkhand Craton, Central India. A fine‐ to medium‐grained, equigranular granites (FMEG) compositionally similar to sanukitoids are associated with mafic microgranular enclaves, whereas the high‐K, low‐magnesian, granites (HKLMG) are coarse‐grained and contain hornblende and biotite as major hydrous ferromagnesian minerals. The oxidized A‐type granites (OAG) are medium‐grained and contain biotite as only mafic mineral. A significant variation in MS value, colour, composition, and texture has been observed for the studied granites. We used MS values between Quirtile‐1 and Quirtile‐3 to reduce the external effect. The MS values for sanukitoids range from 6.34 to 11.34 × 10 −3 SI units (Avg.‐ 8.44 × 10 −3 SI units), 1.42 to 6.16 × 10 −3 SI units (Avg.‐ 4.22 × 10 −3 SI units) for HKLMG and 0.47 to 5.22 × 10 −3 SI units (Avg.‐ 1.68 × 10 −3 SI units) for OAG. The MS values and whole‐rock geochemistry of sanukitoids indicate their crystallization at elevated oxygen fugacity ( f O 2 ; −12.33 to −14.69), buffered above FMQ + 1, typically corresponding to magnetite series granites. However, the HKLMG and OAG buffered near FMQ, representing transition between oxidizing and moderate reduced f O 2 condition, corresponding to magnetite‐ilmenite series granites. High whole‐rock Nb/Ta (> 6), and Zr/Hf (> 30) ratios and plagioclase chemistry for sanukitoids suggest that the melt was water enriched and escaped fluid‐melt interaction. These granites have the potential for Cu‐Mo mineralization. In contrast, HKLMG and OAG show evidence of crustal interaction at emplacement levels, lower Fe 2 O 3 /FeO ratios (< 0.4), low MgO (< 1 wt.%), and geochemical signatures consistent with barren to weakly fertile granites. The integrated MS‐plagioclase‐geochemical framework presented here demonstrates its effectiveness in discriminating granite redox series and assessing mineralization potential in the Precambrian cratonic terrains.
Petrogenesis of Pachakkadu Pyroxenites from the Pakkanadu-Mulakkadu Alkaline Complex, Southern India: Implications on Arc-related Alaskan-type Magmatism Rajendra Prasad Kanchi, Vittal M., V. Sai Krishna Priya, Ch. Narshimha, Lingaswamy Veeramalla, Sreenu Kunsoth, Santosh Kumar, M. Srinivas Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2025 This study presents the field observations, petrography, pyroxene-biotite and whole-rock elemental geochemistry of pyroxenites from Pachakkadu region of Pakkanadu-Mulakkadu Alkaline Complex, Southern India, referred herein as Pachakkadu pyroxenite. At outcrop scale, the pyroxenites are engulfed into the intruding syenite magma. The pyroxenites are coarse- to medium-grained, inequigranular, cumulate rocks, modally composed of clinopyroxene (77–88 vol. %) with subordinate amphibole, biotite/phlogopite, plagioclase, and accessories like magnetite, titanite, and secondary calcite. The subordinate amount of subhedral to anhedral biotite and resorbed plagioclase, associated with coarse cumulus clinopyroxenes, most probably developed due to the assimilation of pyroxenite by the intruding syenite magma. The clinopyroxenes represent diopside and bear high Mg# (Mg/(Mg+Fe+2) = 0.71–0.74), rich in calcium (20.55–22.07 wt.%) but depleted in Na2O (1.65–2.42 wt.%) and Al2O3 (0.79–3.14 wt.%), which reveal the subalkaline, arc-related Alaskan type cumulus phase. Biotites in pyroxenites are reequilibrated primary Fe-biotites having alkaline affinity enriched in siderophyllite. Geochemically, the pyroxenites exhibit low content of SiO2 (39.50–40.48 wt. %), Al2O3 (4.58–8.34 wt. %), CaO (6.66–10.24 wt. %), and high MgO+FeO (28.56–31.26 wt. %). The total alkali content ranges from 0.48 to 2.49 wt. %. The observed variations of Ni (146.11–299.95 ppm) and Cr (652.56–4766.6 ppm) against Mg# (0.67–0.83) reflect clinopyroxene fractionation from a mantle-derived mafic magma. The evidences suggest that the Pachakkadu pyroxenites are fractionated products forming the cumulate with a minor amount of evolved intercumulus (residual) liquid as fine-grained crystals and accumulation of early fractionated minor plagioclase and Fe-Ti oxides.
Origin and evolution of microgranular enclaves hosted in the Cambrian granitoids of Champawat region, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India Himalayan Geology, 2022
The himalayan magmatic events Sandeep Singh, Santosh Kumar, Piyush Gupta, Saurabh Singhal, Anamika Sahu Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 2020
Hydrogeochemistry, stable isotope study and implication for the origin of geothermal springs in Northeast Kumaun Himalaya, India Himalayan Geology, 2017
Magnetite and ilmenite series granitoids of Ladakh batholith, Northwest Indian Himalaya: Implications on redox conditions of subduction zone magmatism Current Science, 2010
Magnetic susceptibility and biotite composition of granitoids of Amritpur region, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya: Implication on granite series evaluation and nature of felsic magma Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2006
Microgranular enclaves in neoproterozoic granitoids of south Khasi Hills, Meghalaya Plateau, northeast India: Field evidence of interacting coeval mafic and felsic magmas Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2005
Pearce element ratios applied to model basic rock members of Phenai Mata Igneous Complex, Baroda District, Gujarat Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2003
Trace and rare earth elements geochemistry of alkaline rocks of Sarnu-Dandali, Barmer, Rajasthan Journal of the Geological Society of India, 1996
Chemistry of clinopyroxenes from subalkaline and alkaline rocks of Phenai Mata Igneous Complex, Baroda District, Gujarat, Western India Journal of the Geological Society of India, 1996
Microstructural evidence of magma quenching inferred from enclaves hosted in the Hodrusa granodiorites, Western Carpathians Geologica Carpathica, 1995
The calculated magma differentiation trend of the Hodrusa-Stiavnica intrusive complex, western Carpathians Vestnik Ceskeho Geologickeho Ustavu, 1995
Petrology and geochemistry of basalt of Phenai Mata Hill, district of Baroda, Gujarat, western India Acta Universitatis Carolinae Geologica, 1992
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
International Seminar on Geodynamic Evolution of the Himalaya–GEH-2025 held at Kumaun University, Nainital S Bora, S Kumar, KV Krishnamurthy Journal Of The Geological Society Of India 102 (2), 291-295 , 2026 2026
Redox Series Assessment of Proterozoic Granite Gneiss and Cambrian Granite Plutons from Meghalaya Plateau, Northeast India: Insights from Field Relations and Magnetic … S Bora, S, Rino, V, Joshi, H, Rawat, M S, Kumar Journal of Geosciences Research 11 (1), 1-12 , 2026 2026
Petrogenesis of Pachakkadu Pyroxenites from the Pakkanadu- Mulakkadu Alkaline Complex, Southern India: Implications on Arc-related Alaskan-type Magmatism RP Kanchi, M Vittal, MSKV Priya, C Narshimha, L Veeramalla, S Kunsoth, ... Journal of the Geological Society of India 101 (10), 1484–1495 , 2025 2025
Geochemistry and geochronology of high-K metaluminous (I-type) Cambrian Guwahati granites from Shillong plateau, Northeast India: Insight into petrogenesis involving peritectic … D Doley, G Sarma, B Bhagabaty, S Kumar, P Borah Geochemistry, 126325 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Origin and evolution of synchronous Miocene leucogranite dykes and porphyritic granitoid pluton in the Tangste region of Pangong metamorphic complex, Ladakh Trans-Himalaya … S Bora, S Kumar, KS Panwar, K Yi, YJ Jeong, UK Sharma Lithos 515, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2025.10 , 2025 2025
Ladakh Batholith, Trans-Himalaya, India: Subduction Zone Magmatic Products and its Majestic Geoheritage Sites S Kumar, S Bora, UK Sharma Geoconservation and Geotourism Potential of India, 89-103 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Syntectonic shear-induced emplacement of crystallizing granite magmas evident from magmatic shear sense, mafic schlierens, and microgranular enclaves in the Mesoproterozoic A … C Narshimha, S Kumar Journal of the Geological Society of India 100, 639–646 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Influences of subduction derived fluids and melt in the genesis of Nidar ophiolite peridotites, Ladakh Himalaya, India: Evidence from mineralogy, PGE and Nd isotopic compositions R Nayak, D Pal, SS Chinnasamy, M Satyanarayanan, S Kumar, J Dash, ... Geochemistry 83 (4), 126022 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Miocene leucogranite and porphyritic granitoid from Pangong Metamorphic Complex, eastern Ladakh Trans-Himalaya, India: Evidence of synchronous melting and formation of … S Bora, S Kumar, K Yi, YJ Jeong, KS Panwar, UK Sharma Goldschmidt 2023 Conference , 2023 2023
Quantification of Physio-chemical environment, nature of magmatism and mineralization of Paleoproterozoic Malanjkhand Cu-deposit, Central India: Constraints from Phase … D Arya, S Gupta, S Kumar Goldschmidt 2023 Conference , 2023 2023
Role of Assimilation and Mixing in the Evolution of Paleoproterozoic Magmatic Rocks of Outer Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India: Evidence from the Field, Petrography, Zircon U-Pb … S Gupta, S Kumar, D Arya Thirty-third Annual Goldschmidt Conference, 14512 , 2023 2023
Peraluminous A-type granites formed through synchronous fractionation, magma mixing, mingling, and undercooling: evidence from microgranular enclaves and host Mesoproterozoic … C Narshimha, S Kumar Acta Geochim 42 (doi.org/10.1007/s11631-023-00608-8), 1-34 , 2023 2023 Citations: 11
Magnetic susceptibility, mineral chemistry, and geothermobarometry of granitoids from Lohit Plutonic Complex, Arunachal Trans-Himalaya, Northeast India: Implications on … D Meyase, V Rino, S Kumar, R Nagi Island Arc 12479, 1-18 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Polychronous and Multi-stage Growth History of Ladakh Batholith, Trans-Himalaya, through Mafic-Felsic Magma Mixing and Fractionation S Kumar Journal of the Geological Society of India 99 (2), 292-292 , 2023 2023
Elemental mobility in the near-surface environment: a study from Bhowali-Bhimtal and Berinag regions of Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India A Pandey, S Kumar Environmental Studies and Climate Change, 81-104 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Advanced Training Programme on Granites and Related Rocks and Field Workshop in Kumaun Lesser Himalaya S Kumar, JF Moyen Journal of the Geological Society of India 98 (12), 1768-1770 , 2022 2022
Geochemistry, geochronology, and isotopic studies of Paleoproterozoic magmatic rocks from outer Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India: Implication on petrogenesis and crustal evolution … S Gupta, S Kumar Gondwana Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2022.10.009 , 2022 2022 Citations: 14
Granite series assessment, nature and crystallization condition of Paleoproterozoic granite gneisses from Askot and Chiplakot klippe, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India KS Panwar, S Kumar Journal of Earth System Science 131 (173), 1-21 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
Excursion Guide: Two NS Transects across Trans-Himalaya, Ladakh T Ahmad, S Kumar, M Jayananda, R Jayangondaperumal, HK Sachan, ... Special Publication, WIHG, Dehradun 5, 39 , 2022 2022
Pyroxenite-hosted chalcopyrites from Sung Valley, Meghalaya, NE India: implications for the formation of both high-and low-temperature sulfides in plume-derived magma S Choudhary, K Sen, S Kumar 2022 Citations: 6
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Mineralogy and geochemistry of microgranular enclaves in Palaeoproterozoic Malanjkhand granitoids, central India: evidence of magma mixing, mingling, and chemical equilibration S Kumar, V Rino Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 152 (5), 591-609 , 2006 2006 Citations: 187
Field evidence of magma mixing from microgranular enclaves hosted in Palaeoproterozoic Malanjkhand granitoids, central India S Kumar, V Rino, AB Pal Gondwana Research 7 (2), 539-548 , 2004 2004 Citations: 149
Contribution of Columbia and Gondwana Supercontinent assembly- and growth-related magmatism in the evolution of the Meghalaya Plateau and the Mikir Hills, Northeast India … Kumar, S., Rino, V., Hayasaka, Y., Kimura, K., Raju, S., Terada, K., Pathak, M. Lithos 277, 356-375 , 2017 2017 Citations: 106
Geochemistry and U–Pb SHRIMP zircon chronology of granitoids and microgranular enclaves from Jhirgadandi pluton of Mahakoshal Belt, Central India Tectonic Zone, India S Bora, S Kumar, K Yi, N Kim, TH Lee Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 70, 99-114 , 2013 2013 Citations: 106
Mafic to hybrid microgranular enclaves in the Ladakh batholith, northwest Himalaya: Implications on calc-alkaline magma chamber processes S Kumar Journal of the Geological Society of India 76 (1), 5-25 , 2010 2010 Citations: 89
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Biotites from Proterozoic Granitoids of Western Arunachal Himalaya: Evidence of Bimodal Granitogeny and Tectonic Affinity S Kumar, M Pathak Journal of Geological Society of India 75, 715-730 , 2010 2010 Citations: 83
Geochemistry of biotites and host granitoid plutons from the Proterozoic Mahakoshal Belt, central India tectonic zone: implication for nature and tectonic setting of magmatism S Bora, S Kumar International Geology Review 57 (11-12), 1686-1706 , 2015 2015 Citations: 62
Microstructural evidence of magma quenching inferred from enclaves hosted in the HodruSa Granodiorites, Western Carpathians S Kumar GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA-BRATISLAVA- 46, 379-382 , 1995 1995 Citations: 47
Early Cretaceous subvolcanic calc-alkaline granitoid magmatism in the Nubra-Shyok valley of the Shyok Suture Zone, Ladakh Himalaya, India: Evidence from geochemistry and U–Pb … Kumar, S., Bora, S., Sharma, U. K., Yi, K., Kim, N. Lithos 277, 33-50 , 2017 2017 Citations: 44
Geochemistry and U–Pb SHRIMP zircon geochronology of microgranular enclaves and host granitoids from the South Khasi Hills of the Meghalaya Plateau, NE India: evidence of … S Kumar, T Pieru, V Rino, Y Hayasaka Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 457, https://doi.org/10 … , 2017 2017 Citations: 43
Closure of India–Asia collision margin along the Shyok Suture Zone in the eastern Karakoram: new geochemical and zircon U–Pb geochronological observations S Pundir, V Adlakha, S Kumar, S Singhal Geological Magazine, https://doi.org/10.1017/S001675681900154 , 2020 2020 Citations: 40
Petrography and major elements geochemistry of microgranular enclaves and neoproterozoic granitoids of south Khasi, Meghalaya: Evidence of magma mixing and alkali diffusion S Kumar, T Pieru Journal of the Geological Society of India 76 (4), 345-360 , 2010 2010 Citations: 39
Microgranular enclaves in Neoproterozoic granitoids of south Khasi Hills, Meghalaya Plateau, northeast India: field evidence of interacting coeval mafic and felsic magmas S Kumar, T Pieru, V Rino, BC Lyngdoh Journal of the Geological Society of India 65 (5), 629-633 , 2005 2005 Citations: 39
Subduction versus non‐subduction origin of the Nagaland‐Manipur Ophiolites along the Indo‐Myanmar Orogenic Belt, northeast India: Fact and fallacy S Khogenkumar, AK Singh, S Kumar, N Lakhan, M Chaubey, S Imtisunep Geological Journal 56, 1773-1794 , 2020 2020 Citations: 37
Schedule of Mafic to Hybrid Magma Injections Into Crystallizing Felsic Magma Chambers and Resultant Geometry of Enclaves in Granites: New Field and Petrographic Observations … S Kumar Frontiers in Earth Science 8 (551097), doi: 10.3389/feart.2020.551097 , 2020 2020 Citations: 34
Magnetic susceptibility mapping of felsic magmatic lithounits in the central part of Bundelkhand massif, central India S Kumar, S Raju, M Pathak, A Pandey Journal of the Geological Society of India 75 (3), 539-548 , 2010 2010 Citations: 33
Petrology, geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotopes of Paleoproterozoic granite gneiss from Bomdila in the western Arunachal Himalaya, NE India M Pathak, S Kumar Crustal Architecture and Evolution of the Himalaya–Karakoram–Tibet Orogen … , 2019 2019 Citations: 32
Proterozoic felsic and mafic magmatism in India: Implications for crustal evolution through crust-mantle interactions S Kumar, S Gupta, S Sensarma, R Bhutani Episode 43 (1), 203-230 , 2020 2020 Citations: 28
Geological appraisal of Ladakh and Tirit granitoids in the Indus-Shyok Suture Zones of Northwest Himalaya, India Kumar, S., Bora, S., Sharma, U. K. Journal of the Geological Society of India 87, 737-746 , 2016 2016 Citations: 24
Magmatic processes: review of some concepts and models S Kumar Modelling of Magmatic and Allied Processes, 1-22 , 2014 2014 Citations: 24