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Uplift and seismicity of intraplate regions of India: role of rheology, paleo-and active tectonics.

Rao VV, Laxminarayana K, Ranjan P, Mandal B, Karuppannan P, Kumar P.

FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE

https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2026.1874006 

The study investigates intraplate uplift and seismicity across the Indian Shield using seismic, tectonic, structural, and rheological evidence. It identifies 47 major earthquakes and seven tectonic zones, highlighting paleo-rifts and Proterozoic orogenic belts as key controls on seismicity. Uplift is linked to fault reactivation, rift-shoulder processes, magmatic underplating, and far-field tectonic stresses. Rheological modelling of Jabalpur, Ongole, and Coimbatore reveals significant variations in crustal and mantle strength. The tectonic settings of the Koyna, Killari, Jabalpur, and Bhuj earthquakes are also examined, providing a geodynamic framework linking crustal heterogeneity, rheology, uplift, and intraplate seismicity.

Fig: Seismicity map of India showing earthquakes in several parts of India. Rheological strength profiles for three major tectonic zones in the Indian shield: (a) Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) near Jabalpur, (b) Eastern Ghats Belt (EGB) near Ongole, (c) Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) near Coimbatore.

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