Lithofacies, petrography and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Sharaban formation, Kirana Malani Basin: Implications for paleotectonics and paleogeography of the Indian shield

The Sharaban Formation, dating to the Neoproterozoic era, is found at the Kirana Hills within the Indian Shield Elements. Metasedimentary rock characterizes the Machh Supergroup's latest unit. New geological interpretations have emerged from the analysis of these metamorphosed and structurally deformed metavolcanic successions. This research characterizes the highly metamorphosed Kirana Group metasandstones and metaconglomerates. Metasandstone and metaconglomerate have unique main sedimentary and syn-sedimentary deformational structures, according to our findings. The present research provides a comprehensive analysis of the Neoproterozoic Sharaban Formation through the integration of field observations, petrographic analysis, geochemical techniques (XRD, SEM), isotopic investigations, seismic imaging, and regional datasets. The metaconglomerate reveals an unconformity within the Kirana Supergroup and provides insights into the origin of the clasts, along with the geological events that led to their deposition. The analysis of these facies via microphotographs indicates the existence of quartzitic textures and a predominant quartz arenite composition. The presence of recrystallized quartz grains and the orientation of mica minerals indicate that the metamorphic process occurred under conditions of low temperature and pressure. Calcitic to quartz overgrowth cements reduce the pore spaces within metasandstone. This formation features outcrops characterized by substantial cavernous pores, likely resulting from telodiagenesis. Intracratonic sag basins experienced modifications due to the transition from river environments to beach settings, encompassing shoreface and backshore zones. The complete Neoproterozoic sequence of the Kirana Supergroup offers significant geological insights into the initial history of the Kirana-Malani Basin, as well as its similarities with regions in Siberia, China, and Oman.