Sheeted dykes in Kandra ophiolite complex, Nellore schist belt, Andhra Pradesh - Vestiges of Precambrian oceanic crust

Extensive field and petrological studies carried out in Kandra ophiolite complex (KOC) in the southern part of Nellore schist belt (NSB) revealed the existence of sheeted dykes in Kandra- Kondakuru-Gollapalli section. The sheeted dykes occur in the northern part of the complex and compositionally vary from medium-grained dolerites showing typical sub-ophitic texture to diabase dykes that are extremely fine grained aphanitic to fine-grained cryptocrystalline parallel basic dykes (varying in width from 4 cm to 1.25 m). These dykes show chilled margins on either side with the host dykes into which these are intruded. Veins of oceanic plagiogranite (0.5 x 5 m) are noticed in a major sheeted dyke. Occurrence of oceanic plagiogranite as ovoid / semicircular patches of 6 cm diameter resembling immiscible droplets within basic dykes is also noticed. The southern part of the complex is made of a major NW-SE trending cumulus gabbro that grades into olivine gabbronorite in its eastern part. The southern gabbros represent the plutonic component and form the deeper part of the complex. In this paper an attempt has been made to present the field, petrographic and mineral chemistry account of various lithounits that constitute the Kandra ophiolite complex in a succinct manner.