JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA

Vol.86, October 2015, pp.391-398

Thenmala Fault System, Southern India: Implication to Neotectonics

E. PRASEEDA2, BIJU JOHN1,2*, C. SRINIVASAN1 YOGENDRA SINGH1,2,

K.S. DIVYALAKSHMI1 and PIJUSH SAMUI2
1
National Institute of Rock Mechanics, KGF - 563117, Karnataka, India
2
VIT University, Vellore - 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India
*Email: [email protected]

Abstract: The Achankovil shear system is one of the major crustal scale structures in Peninsular India. This NW-SE
trending shear zone stretches across the Western Ghats for a strike length of 120 km. A number of parallel lineaments
demarcate this 15-20 km wide shear zone. Many studies were carried out to understand the origin and delineation of this
structure. Low level seismicity reported in this region, however, does not suggest any relation with this shear zone and
thus no significant study was carried out to understand its neotectonic behavior. However, there are a couple of faults
identified in the southern end of this shear system viz., Thenmala and Thenmala south faults. Even though these faults
were demarcated in hilly terrain of Western Ghats, its expression into the plain area east of the mountain terrain were not
identified during the earlier studies. The present study however, delineated the signatures of these faults further in the
southeast from satellite images. The traces of these faults are observed as multiple slip planes with varying deformation
pattern. A group of N-S trending lineaments are also observed in hill ranges. Similarly, N-S trending long persistent
vertical joints are observed in the plain area are free from displacement. The traces of NW-SE trending brittle faults
observed in these areas crosscut all the joints including the N-S trending vertical ones. These observations suggest that
the geomorphic signature associated with Thenmala lineaments may represent the youngest deformation (brittle) of the
region.

Keywords: Peninsular India, Shear zone, Faults, Cross cutting relations.

INTRODUCTION Drury et al., 1984; Anon, 1994; Chetty 1996; GSI 2000).
Peninsular India is generally considered as stable (Stable These studies identified a number of crustal scale shear zones
Continental Region) in the context of earthquake occurrences in Peninsular India. Continuity of some of these shear zones
(Johnston and Kanter, 1990). The sparse occurrence of are also observed in East Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri
seismicity however indicates that the Peninsular India is Lanka and East Antarctica (e.g. Janardhan, 1999; Santosh
under compressional tectonic regime owing to the northward et al., 2009; Chetty et al 2014). Age of these shear zones
movement and can generate moderate earthquakes (Gowd, dated back to Neoproterozonic (e.g. Rajesh et al., 2004;
et al., 1996 and Rajendran et al., 1992). Studies in various Sato et al 2010). Achankovil shear zone (ASZ) is one such
stable continental regions indicate that the earthquakes are system used for the reconstruction of Gondwana. A joint
occurring in preexisting zones of weakness (e.g. Sykes, study by GSI and ISRO identified two faults south of
1978; Crone et al., 1997; Rajendran et al., 1996; John and ASZ (Anon 1994). Even though a number of studies were
Rajendran 2009). Since the earthquake catalogue of carried out to understand the origin of the shear zone, no
Peninsular India is limited to 200 years it is vital in significant study was carried out to find out its neotectonic
identifying potential source zones. Two seismic sources behavior. Though no notable earthquake events occurred
(Desamangalam fault and Periyar fault) were identified in in this area, some microtremors are recorded by a local
Peninsular India south of Palghat Cauvery shear zone which network (NGRI, 1998). While carrying out remote sensing
are trending in NW-SE direction (John and Rajendran 2009; studies in Peninsular India, Ramasamy et al., (2011)
Rajendran et al., 2009). identified a compressional meander in the northwestern
Over the years number of studies were carried out to end of Achankovil lineament zone suggestive of active
delineate lineament/faults/tectonic features from Peninsular tectonism.
India (e.g Grady, 1971; Vemban et al., 1977; Nair, 1990; The present study concentrated on the southeastern

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392 E. PRASEEDA AND OTHERS

2013). According to Rajesh and Chetty (2006), NW-SE

trending foliation fabrics with steep dip to southwest define
Achankovil shear zone. Detailed studies suggest a lateral
extension of 120 km and in places a thickness of 10-20 km
for ASZ which passes through Western Ghats in a NW-SE
direction separating the supracrustal sequences of
Trivandrum block (also known as the Kerala Khondalite
Belt) in south with the massif charnockites in the north
(Santosh et al., 2006). Rajesh and Chetty (2006) extended
the ASZ on either side based on the sharp changes in
structural pattern on either side of the lineament. Gravity
studies indicate that the crustal thickness is thin in the area
south of ASZ compared to north (Sunil et al., 2010). This
observation is also noted in ONGC studies (Balakrishnan,
2009).
The northern boundary of the shear zone is considered
Fig.1. Seismotectonic map of South India adopted from SEISAT to be coinciding with the straight course of the Achankovil
(GSI, 2000). The study area is shown in rectangle; fault river while the Thenmala fault is confined to a long narrow
marked as 1 is Thenmala Fault and 2 is Thenmala South valley passing through the Thenmala village. Chacko et al.
Fault studied. (1987), Ramakrishnan (1993), Rogers and Mouldin (1994),
Braun and Kriegsman (2003), Kumar et al. (2009)
end of these NW-SE trending faults (Fig. 1). The area mostly considered these two boundaries as two individual shear
consists of Precambrian crystalline rocks with patches of zones viz., Achankovil shear and Thenmala shear, and the
calcareous rock with little soil development. The area is region bounded by them as Achankovil unit. However,
highly modified due to agricultural activity and numerous Radhakrishna et al. (1990), Ghosh et al. (2004), Cenki and
artificial ponds were constructed to tap the rain water. Kriegsman (2005) doubted the very existence of the shear
However, the present study identified continuity of the two zone. Radhakrishna et al. (1990) emphasize that no
NW-SE trending faults in the plain area, through remote characteristic features of suture or of a ductile shear zone
sensing studies and field verification. are found and the linear topographic expression along the
ASZ may have evolved later. Even though a number of
studies were carried out on this shear zone to understand
GEOLOGIC AND TECTONIC SETUP
its origin, nothing much is said about its significance to
The study area is a part of ASZ and its southwestern present a tectonic regime.
terminus. Thenmala fault forms the SW boundary of this ~ The drainage system is mostly controlled by NW-SE
15-20 km wide shear system (Rajesh and Chetty, 2006). This trending lineaments. Karamaniyar, Nambiyar, Tampraparni
zone represents a number of parallel lineaments within rivers are flowing southeast (Fig. 2). The present study is
Western Ghats. In Seismotectonic Atlas of India and Its concentrated on the southwestern terminus of the Thenmala
Environs (SEISAT) there are two faults (one named as fault and the unnamed fault marked in SEISAT (GSI, 2000).
Thenmala and another unnamed) marked south of In this paper the southernmost fault is named as Thenmala
Achankovil shear zone (GSI 2000). south fault (T1 and T2 respectively in figure 2) for a detailed
The ASZ appears as a prominent lineament in discussion.
aeromagnetic (Reddi et al., 1988) and satellite imageries
(Drury et al., 1984). This feature is identified as a shear
PRESENT STUDY
zone based on the change in rock types to the north and
south, and by the sharp change from NE trending structures In the map published in 1994 through GSI-ISRO studies
north of the shear zone to NW trending structures within (Project Vasundhara) these N-S trending lineaments are
and south of the zone (e.g Rajesh and Chetty, 2006). Garnet– marked in the hilly terrain (Anon 1994). The major
biotite, garnet–biotite–sillimanite-cordierite, and strongly lineaments define an en-echelon pattern with a right over-
migmatised cordierite–garnet–orthopyroxene gneisses are stepping arrangement. The en-echelon lineaments are
the major rock types in ASZ (Sreejith, and Ravindrakumar, broadly parallel to each other with NW-SE trends (Rajesh

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 THENMALA FAULT SYSTEM, SOUTHERN INDIA: IMPLICATION TO NEOTECTONICS 393

Fig.2. Geological map of the area note the NW-SE trending primary structural features. (Geology adopted from Quadrangle Geological
Map (1989). T1 and T2 are Thenmala and Thenmala south fault respectively. Inset: 2a shows the drainage anomaly northwest of
ambasamudram; 2b shows the faulting observed along Thenmala fault and 2c river pattern influenced by T1 and T2; 2d shows the
geomorphic feature associated with Thenmala south fault.

and Chetty, 2006). Previous studies do not identify the There are a few N-S trending drainages joining the NW-SE
continued signatures of these faults into the plain area east trending major drainages.
of Western Ghats. The problem stems mainly because the The study identified lineaments pertaining to the two
erosion is faster than tectonic processes in cratonic interiors. NW-SE trending faults. These faults are marked as
Thus to identify the subtle signatures related with the faults continuous straight line in SEISAT (GSI, 2000). However,
we used multispectral images. Geologic mapping was also the present study identified them as discontinuous features
carried out along the identified lineaments. in the study area. The N-S direction lineaments are mainly
confined to south of the southernmost NW trending fault.
Remote Sensing Studies
The present study used high resolution images of Thenmala Fault
LANDSAT, CARTOSAT and LISS-4 to demarcate the faults/ The present study identified the Thenmala fault as a
lineaments. Lineament pattern detected during the study are prominent lineament (T1) in the Western Ghats and is
given in the figure 2. In this area the major trend of demarcated by the straight course of Kallada and Chendurni
lineaments is towards NW-SE direction. The observed rivers (west of the present study area). At the southeastern
pattern of lineaments is compared with the toposheets and end within the hill ranges it shows discontinuous features
field evidences of the area. The drainage pattern of the area (Fig.2). The signature of this fault is further traced in the
is considerably affected by these lineaments. In the hilly plain area based on the tonal change observed in the Landsat
terrain longer drainages are mostly confined to NW-SE image. Closely spaced parallel drainages observed as
direction, whereas, the short ones are in NE-SW direction. drainage anamoly northwest of Ambasamudram (Fig. 2b).

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394 E. PRASEEDA AND OTHERS

A prominent observation of the fault is made near lineaments. The N-S trending lineaments observed in the
Thiruvirythanpuli (Fig. 2b). The straight course of hill ranges are considered as later brittle deformations
Karamaniyuar river between Nanguneri and Vijaya compared to the NW trending structures (Rajesh and Chetty,
Narayanam (Fig 2c) is along this lineament. In the lineament 2006). During the field study, long and persistent N-S
map of southern Peninsular India prepared in project trending joints were mapped in the plain area east of Western
Vasundhara, the Thenmala fault is marked. Ghats. However, such features are not shown in the SEISAT
map (GSI, 2000) may be due to its insignificance to the
Thenmala South Fault tectonic framework. This indicates that these N-S trending
The present study identified Thenmala south fault (T2) joints/lineaments are not tectonic related structures but they
as a discontinuous feature within the Western Ghats. It are the tension joints/lineaments formed due to erosional
passes through NW trending reservoir of Karayar dam unloading and exhumation.
(Hope dam). The southern fault is matching with an en-
echelon pattern in the plain area after slight offset where it Field Observations
shows a left stepping of lineaments (Fig.2). It also forms A detailed strip geological mapping is carried out along
part of two parallel flowing tributaries of Nambiyar river the lineaments identified as extension of the faults marked
(Fig. 2c). Signature of the fault is more prominent in the in SEISAT (GSI, 2000). The Thenmala fault and its
plains where it is associated with active erosion within the associated lineaments identified in this study are developed
vicinity of lineaments (Fig. 2d). in garnet-biotite gneiss. Quartzo feldspathic gneiss
dominates the Thenmala south fault. Lateritic soil was
The N-S Trending Feature observed in most part of the study area covering the bed
A number of N-S trending lineaments are also marked rock. Intermittently, a thin layer of calcareous rock was
in the hill ranges. Even though these features are mostly observed overlying the bed rock. Since the plain area is
confined to south of Thenmala south fault, a few of them highly modified, the geomorphic expression related with
show cross cutting relationship with theNW-SE trending faulting is difficult to demarcate. It is noted that a number

a b

c d
Fig.3. (a) Gouge zone observed in the slip plane. The closely spaced joints observed in the footwall is not continuing into hanging wall
through the slip plane. (b) Close view of the Massive rock sitting over the crushed rock near Singikulam. (c) A minor fault
observed in the well section without gouge formation near Kaduvetti. Note the displacement shown. (d). South dipping fault
demarcating calcareous rock and gneissic rock observed near Thiruviruthanpuli Fig. 2a. Note the highly fractured hanging wall
and powdered footwall. Multiple slip planes marked in yellow lines.

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 THENMALA FAULT SYSTEM, SOUTHERN INDIA: IMPLICATION TO NEOTECTONICS 395

of open wells were dug in the area and many of those in the broken and gouge is observed in between the broken pieces
vicinity of the fault zones do not hold water except in rainy (Fig. 3a).
season. The fault plane observed near Singikulam is very gentle
dipping, 200, southwest. A highly crushed (breccia) zone
Observations on Thenmala Fault represents the fault (Fig. 3b). Closely spaced N-S trending
Field observations were made about 50 km in the plain joints dominate the hanging wall. The brecciated zone shows
area around the Thenmala fault. The faults are identified at varying sizes of rock fragments along with fault gouge. The
several locations along the lineaments. A wide range of nature of the foot wall is not ascertained as it is located
faulting, characteristics of brittle deformation, are observed below the water. In a nearby well, the fault plane trending
in different exposures. The dip of the fault planes also N600W and dipping 250 southwest is observed.
changes from place to place. A minor displacement is observed in a well section near
A NW –SE trending (N600W) fault dipping 200 towards Kaduvetti. The fault is striking N 60 0W dipping 35 0
southwest is observed near Thinaiyooram (Fig. 3a). The southwest (Fig. 3c). The reverse movement of the fault is
slip plane is distinguishable due to the presence of 15- identified based on the offset of a horizontal joint (Fig. 3c).
20 cm thick gouge. Another notable observation is the Near the surface the footwall is crushed and fragmented. It
presence of N-S trending closely spaced vertical joints in is noted that no gouge formation occurred along the fault
the foot wall (Fig. 3a). The hanging wall block is relatively plane. In this fault too no joints run across the fault plane.
massive and no continuity of joints from the footwall A major fault trending N 600W dipping 450 southwest is
crosses the slip plane. However, the hanging wall block is observed near Thiruvirythanpuli (Fig.2a). Here the gneissic

b
a

c d
Fig.4. (a) Gentle NW-SE trending south dipping fault observed in the well section near Kadamboduvazhvu. Note the rocks on either
side of the slip plane shows different joint pattern. (b) The NW-SE trending south dipping fault observed in the well section
between Kadamboduvazhvu and Subrahmanyapuram. Note the rocks on either side of the slip plane shows different joint pattern.
(c) Close view of the NW-SE trending south dipping fault observed in the well section between Kadamboduvazhvu and
Subrahmanyapuram. Note the fractures formed within the slip plane. (d) Gentle NW-SE trending south dipping fault with gouge
observed in the well section near Subrahmanyapuram. Note that the hanging wall appears as detached blocks to accommodate
gouge.

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396 E. PRASEEDA AND OTHERS

rock appears to have over raided on calcareous rock. The India. This 15-20 km wide zone has a number of parallel
hanging wall (gneissic rock) is highly jointed and the slip lineaments extending over 120 km strike length. Even though
plane is demarcated by open cracks (Fig. 3d). Multiple slip the signature of Achankovil shear zone system is identified
planes are observed in the hanging wall. In nearby area within the hill ranges, its morphologic evidences in the plain
relatively thick calcareous deposit is observed over the area east of Weastern Ghats till the coastal region were not
basement crystalline rocks. The footwall is highly crushed identified earlier. However, sub-surface geophysical studies
and it is difficult to determine the original rock structure. carried out by ONGC identified a discontinuity aligning with
the Achankovil lineament system extending into Gulf of
Observation on Thenmala South Fault Mannar (Balakrishnan et al., 2008). Studies related with
Field observations were made about 20 km in the plain various seismic sources identified that strike-slip and
area for the Thenmala south fault. The faults are identified reverse movement are the dominant mechanism in
at several locations along the lineaments. A wide range of Peninsular India (Gowd, et al., 1996; Rajendran et al., 1992).
fault related damage pattern are observed in different Similarly Geological studies made subsequent to the
exposures. The dip of the fault planes also changes from earthquake events in Peninsular India also confirm the
place to place. reverse movement of faults (Rajendran et al. 1996; John
The fault observed near Kadamboduzazhu appears as and Rajendran, 2009).
thick crushed zone separating the faulted blocks (Fig.4a). The present study concentrated on two faults associated
The movement across the slip plane is evident from the with the Achankovil shear system. A few N-S trending
distinct joint pattern observed on either side of the fault. lineaments in the Western Ghats are also demarcated. The
Vertical joints are observed in the hanging wall whereas the extension of the NW-SE trending faults is identified as
inclined joints are observed in footwall. None of these sets discontinuous lineaments. Sporadic microseismic events are
of joints continued across the slip plane, suggesting an associated with these lineaments (Fig.2). The traces of these
appreciable slip. fault is observed in the well sections along the lineaments.
A 30-40 cm thick gouge is observed in the fault exposure The N-S trending joints akin to the one observed in the hill
near Subramanyapuram which is trending NW-SE dipping ranges are also observed in well sections. These joints
550 southwest (Fig.4b). Faulting apparently generated however do not show any indication of movements. The
closely spaced joints parallel to the fault plane (Fig. 4b) in NW-SE trending slip planes observed in this area are cross
the hanging wall. The footwall is relatively massive. cutting the N-S trending joints. The slip planes show both
Continued movement along the crushed zone produced reverse as well as strike-slip movement. The slip planes
tensile opening and coulomb shears (Fig.4c). These change their dip to near vertical away from the lineament
structures enabled us to suggest that the direction of the zone. The observation that the faulting associated with
movement is reverse. Thenmala fault cut across the N-S trending joints with
Nearby another fault is observed with gentle dip (70). reverse movement; suggest that the NW-SE system are the
The fault plane is filled with gouge of 20-30 cm (Fig.4d). ones reactivated later in the region. These observations
The hanging wall is broken into pieces. The gouge found is suggest that the geomorphic expressions of Thenmala
filling the gap between the individual pieces of hanging wall lineaments represent the youngest deformation (brittle) of
blocks. the region. The study highlights that a detailed field
investigations can identify tectonic features that were
reactivated, which will help in evaluating neotectonics.
DISCUSSION

The southern Peninsular India is crisscrossed with a Acknowledgement: We thank The Director NIRM for
number of lineaments and crustal scale structures. There his support and encouragement. The authors thank the partial
are also incidences of sporadic low level seismicity in the financial assistance from NPCIL, VIT University for
region. ASZ is one of the major structures in Peninsular permission to publish this work.

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 THENMALA FAULT SYSTEM, SOUTHERN INDIA: IMPLICATION TO NEOTECTONICS 397

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(Received: 4 June 2014; Revised form accepted: 1 September 2014)

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.86, OCT. 2015