Insights into neotectonic behaviour of the Southern Granulite Terrane and Dharwar Craton: A study based on lineament analysis and seismic activity

The study sheds light on the neotectonic behaviour of the Southern Granulite Terrane and Dharwar Craton through comprehensive lineament analysis and seismicity assessment.Lineaments were meticulously identified in the study area using visual interpretation techniques in ArcMap GIS software.These features, observed through satellite imagery and shaded relief maps, were discerned based on criteria such as tonal contrast, terrain alignment, vegetation patterns, and drainage characteristics.Rose diagrams were generated to understand the distribution of lineaments across different domains, bounded by the major shear zones, categorizing them into major and minor categories based on their length.Distinct structural trends are revealed, with ENE-WSW, N-S, and NW-SE trends dominating in Domains A, B, and C of the southern Dharwar Craton, influenced by shear zones.In Domain D of the SGT, the NNE-SSW lineament trend aligns with the Gangavalli Shear Zone (GSZ), indicating ongoing tectonic reactivation.Seismicity in the southern Dharwar Craton reaches magnitudes up to 4.4, concentrated near major shear zones, while the northern SGT exhibits lower-magnitude seismic events, primarily at shear zone intersections.The correlation between lineament density and seismicity suggests that high density of lineament is indicative of neotectonic activity.The study highlights the significant role of ancient Proterozoic shear zones in shaping the current tectonic landscape.It emphasizes the need for further geophysical and seismological investigations to fully understand the tectonic dynamics of the region and assess potential seismic hazards