Thermochronological and structural investigation accompanying LEGENDS: I - The morpho-tectonic evolution of Sri Lanka

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frank Lisker
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry ; Palaeontology
• Term: from 2006 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 16174513

The Phanerozoic geological evolution of Sri Lanka is poorly constrained since no tectonic and/or igneous processes are recorded, and no large-scale "Gondwanan" sedimentary deposits are preserved. To overcome this deficiency, our study will apply low-temperature thermochronological methods (fission track/ FT and (U-Th)/He analysis) and structural investigations along the transect of the deep seismic LEGENDS traverse across Sri Lanka. This approach links the upper crustal cooling/ denudation pattern with the structure of the crust beneath, allowing a detailed quantification and genetic interpretation of the regional Phanerozoic geological history and long-term landscape evolution. Specific topics of the project are (1) the long-term development of the topography; (2) the course of the Gondwana breakup between Madagascar,.India, Sri Lanka and East Antarctica, and the subsequent evolution of the Sri Lanka continental margins; (3) the dating of tectonic activities and their influence on denudation; (4), the establishment of the paleogeothermal gradient; (5) the deposition of Gondwana sediments in Sri Lanka, and the evolution of the respective basin; and (6) the analysis of the regional fault pattern.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants