GRANITE TECTONICS OF HYDERABAD*

BY S. BM-AKRISHNA
(Geology Department, Osmania University, Hyderabado7)

1. INTRODUCTION

Trt~ properties of granite have been a subject of study duriv.g the past few
years by the author. Physical properties of granfles Lave been studied in
great detail and they have been correlated with certain observed geological
features. Detailed investigations were also carried out on lhe deforwation
o f the3e rocks. The regional data on grav ites are lacking, as very little work
was d pne on the rock types of this area in the past. In an attempt to fill
this void, work was started by the author ar.d is beirg pursved on tkese reck
types, ia order to connect this up with the more extensively studied gravdtes
a,n.-I gleisses of Mysore. For the present, the score of this wolk is limiled
to a small area of about one hundred sq. miles around Hyderabe.d City. The
field data on the structures have been supplemented by the petrofabric studies
in the labpratory in order to fally appreciate the deformation suffered by
the3e rocks. The elastic properties of these old rocks (Arc/~eans) are
corn?areal with those of less deformed younger granites (Tertiary) of other
place's in orcler to study the effect of deformation on the velocity values of
sonic waves.
2. GEOLOGYOF THE AREA
The area studied is that included in the Secunderalzad-BoIarvm n a p
( 3 " = I mile) published by the Survey of Italia (between Latitlzdes 17 ° 24'
and 17° 32½' and Longitudes 78 ° 26½' and 78 ° 35'), comprisirg about one
hundred sq. miles. This area was chosen because ef ILe avai/abilfly of such
a large-scale map. The terrain forms a part of an undulatirg granite country.
As Mahadevan (1945) has pointed out " the general flalness of the area is
relieved here and thereby tors and domes and groups of rocky mountains
carved by weathering and mural jointing into fantastic piles of gigantic boul-
ders often having a seemingly unstable and precarious posflicn ". The drain-
age pattern is dendritic--characteristic of granitic country. The generally
accepteJ stratigraphic sequence (Pascoe, 1950) of the pre-cambrian rocks
of this region is as follows :--

* Paper presented to the Symposium on Tectonics. December 1959.

73
 74 [Link]

Eparchtean Interval
Quartz Porphyry and Felsite Dykes.
Closepet (Bellary) and other Granites.
Charnockite Suite.
Hornblende and Pyroxerte-Granulite Dykes.
Peninsular Gneiss Suite (Gneissose Granites and Gneisses).
Champion Gneisses.
Dharwar System.
In this area, only the Peninsular Gneiss suite with the associated younger
dykes are represented, while exposures of Dharwars and Chamockites are
not known.
The Peninsular Gneiss suite could be broadly divided into Pink and
Grey series of granitic rocks. These are cut by numerous dolerite dykes
and veins of aplite, pegmatite and quartz.
Pink Series.--These consist of coarse to fine-grained granites. The
eolour varies from red to light pink. Porphyritic varieties also are found
with large phenocrysts of potash feldspar. They consist of microcline and/or
orthoclase, plagioclase (a!bite--oligoclase), quartz, biotite, hornblende and
accessory epidote, apatite, ores, etc. Microcline phenocrysts attain a size
of 3 to 4 cm. in the porphyritic varieties.
Grey Series.--These are largely made up of coarse to fine-grained varieties
of varied character. The dominant types are intimate admixtures of medium
to [Link] dark granitic rocks associated with pegmatites and aplites.
The grey granites are gneissose and fine-graired at places, while at others
they e-~hibit c~arse-grained phase. The mineral assemblage consists of
orthoclase and/or microcline, plagioclase (albite to andesine), quartz, horn-
tl;nde, biotite, pyroxenes and accessory apatite, rutile, epidote and ore
minerals. That the pyroxene-bearing granites are similar to the acid
chamockites is one of the observations made by Sarma and Raja (1958).
Mach quartz is present even in the dark varieties of granites.
E~wlaves.--Both the Pink and Grey series contain inclusions of dark
a-tg:tlar bodies (agmatites) as descril~ed by Raja (t959). These enclaves
are mostly hombtendic and at places schistose, but they show various stages
of homogenization towards a normal pink or grey granite. These inclusiGns
are more abundant in the Grey series than in the Pink. It is with these that
the pe~rtatites and aplites are m~re a~sociated.
 Granite Tectonics o f FIyderabad 75

Intrusives.--Dolerite dykes with rough E.-W. trevd traverse the area

Ii'om one end to the other. Quartz veins with a N.E.-S.W. trend occur
as elongate hillocks. Veinlets of quartz and epidote are quite ccmmon.
In the pegnatite, graphic intergrowth between quartz and feldsl~ar is clearly
seen at places.
The distribution of the above rock types in the area along with structure
is shown in Fig. 1.

3. STRUCTURE OF THE AREA

Broadly speaking the structural trends of this region seem to conform
with those of the Southern Arc/~.~ean rocks.
Li,wation and Foliation.--The general trend of foliation and lineation
is North to N.N.W. These structures are more prominent in the Grey serieS
than in the Pink. The streaks:and schlieren of ferremagnesirm minerals
deSne the foliation planes. The lineation is due to elongated or spir dle-
shape:l clots of hornblende and biotite and parallel to tkc relict'on directicv.
The foliation is not always apparent but can be seen with careful ebserx aticn.
Li afev¢ places these planes arc well [Link] so a s t o rr.,a~k the strike ar:d dip.
As a matter of fact what appears as traces of folia on the top surface of out-
crop is seen to be lost in a regular pattern below the surface. Therefore it
has been possible only to mark the trace of the plane. Lineaticn too has
been marked in a similar way, though in gcr,'.erat-it seems to pitch to'~ards
north at a slight angle. A g![Link] at the sketch map will show lhe general
trend to be North to N.N.W., as already mentioned. But at places these
trends swing N.E., and even more towards East. Locally, and in particular
on smaller outcrops, the trend can no longer be made out among the contorted
and confused directions.
The structural map suggests a series of folded recks whose synclinal
folds appear to contain the rocks of the Grey series while the anticlir_al portion
is occupied by the Pink series. The Grey series is probably the latest phase
of the old Dharwar group while the Pink series represent the 1-_omogenised
or more specifically, granitised phase of the country rocks.
Fracture Pattern.--The granitic rocks of this area ~,how well-developed
sets of joints which have been made use of in quarrying. "l-hosejoints are
fracture planes with little or no movement parallel to the plane. Some of
the joints have provided room for later intrusions and hydrothermal activity,
resulting in dykes and the formation of characteristic minerals of jointing.
Good exposures in the vicinity of the city and large-seale quarryirg activity
have made a detailed j 9int pattern study possible. Joints could be roughly
 76 S. B~LA~SH~A

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FIo. I. Tectonic map of Hyderal:ad (S¢ctmderabad-]~clarcm Area),

 Granite Tectonics of Hyderabad 77

~ . . . . . ° .

W
-E

f"qoZ []~ x [], z gr~,xz

~FIo. 2. Contour diagram of 400 joints in Ryderabad granites.

classified into major and minor j•ints depending on the dominance of fracture
in one or more directions. On the other hand, if these are related to the
foliation and lineation directions they could be classifed according to Clcos
(1946) as longitudinal, transverse and diagonal joints depending on whether
the joints are parallel, perpendicular or oblique to the lineation direction.
The latter classification is based on the m o d e of emplacement of the granites
78 S. BALAKRISHNA

by a magma, As these rocks are very ancient and have undergone a number
of successive deformations, it is difficult to say whether the joints have any
relation at all to the genesis of these granites. Hence they arc just described
as major and minor j )ints.
The major joints as seen from Fig. 2 trend rorgLIy tL,W., v 1lie the
two sets (minor) trend mostly N.-S. varying to N.E. or, N.W. ~l~e dils
as seen from Fig. 2 are rather high and mostly veltiCr]. In qra~ii(s
the horizontal joints are seen to follow ~he contours c f t i e SUlface. "Ilc
joints are at places closely spaced st~ggestirg zcre~ cf ir.~cr.~e ~erdcn cr
shearing. The shear zones are ch~,racterised by ~he usral stress mirei~,l
cpidotc and chlorite which forms dark coatirg on joint l~kr.e~ ard ve:ns and
stringers in the granite. Faulting on a small scale is also occasiorally noticed,
the fault plane showing the shear zone develorment of pyrite along the
stickensides. Sometimes faulting is shown by disl~[Link] of quartz veins
or an inclusion. It is interesting to note that the dolcrtie d3kes follow ~lc
major joint direction while veins of reef quartz follow the minor joint dirccticn
(N.W.~S.E.). It is also seen that the minor joints [Link] continue in
the dykes indicating that they are found after the major joints.

4. DEFORMATIONIN GRANITES
Structural petrology is concerned with all textural and strrctrral featrres
of rocks; and also with the interpretation of the spatial re!alicr-s ef 1kere
textures and structures. "Ihe fabric of an object is descril;ed Icy all lke sl:afial
data which it contains, irrespective of the exterior shal:e or boundaries cf
an object. The spatial relations of fabric elements are grouped together
under the general term orientation or preferred orientaficn in ll_e case of
rocks. The orientation obtained may be dimensional in character or it may
be of the lattice type or both. Dimensional orientation is expressed by grain
shape only with no reference to internal lattice structure, while the lattice
orientation describes the internal lattice structure with no reference to the
shape of the grains. A study o f these orientations is necessaly to understand
the deformation fabrics.
The speclmetls for pefrcfabric study are oriented in the field with respect
to structural directions such as lineation and foliation. While dimensional
orientation can be best studied in the field, the lattice orientation can only
be studied in the laboratory with the usual Universal Stage technique. "l-hus
structural petrology involves systematic study of interrelationship between
the structure of rocks in the field and their textures as revealed in the labo-
ratory. Ten specimens (5 pink and 5 grey) of granites have been taken for
 Granite Tectonics of Hyderabad ~9
fabric study, with their proper orientation marked in the fiekl. Employing
fhe u;aal U liversal Stage technique and plotting the results on the Sc~midt
e:l~al area rt~t an5 pre?ariag the fabric diagrams, the lattice deformation
ha; been stuJie:l completely. Pcererrea orientation of quartz grains
[Link] to spaze~attice stracture is expressed by the presence of Iocalised
areas, called maxima an:l arcaate zones named girdles, within which the
p31es of the measured opticaxes are densely concentrated. 100 poles
of quartz grains in each granite seetion cut parallel or perpendicular to
strike direction (tineation and foliation) have been plotted in the fabric
diagrams.
Deformation in rocks is well understood by considering the symmetry
of the fabric and the degree of preferred orientation. In the present investi-
gation of granites, in most cases it can be seen that Pcrilcheral girdles
ale formed throlghout somewhat like concentric circles. Concen-
tration is m3stly in the direction of N.N.W.-S.S.E., which incidentally coin-
cides with the strike direction. There are definite maxima in the diagrr.m
roughly coinciding with certain important directions. It is quite evident
from the petrofabric diagrams that 7 to 12~o of the grains are preferentially
oriented in all the granites. This indicates that the rocks have undergone
a higb degree of deformation. The study of fabric diagrams indicale a move-
meat along the plavte of g aiessosity, with stress acting perpendicular to it.
This dime-asional orientation and lattice orientation, commonly under-
stood as rock deformation, has been found to have considerable influence
oa ela3ticity of rocks and this will be discussed presently.
5. ELASTICITYOF GRANITES
The a,athgr has been engaged for past few years in studying the physical
properties of rocks a n d correlating them to certain important geological
features. Several me~tsurements of ultrasonic velocities, both longitudinal
(VL) and torsional (VT), have been made at atmospheric pressure and at high
pressures on alnost all types of [a:lian rocks; employing different techniques.
It has been observed that longitudinal velocities range from 5.6 to
7.5 km./sec, while the torsional velocities are in the range of 2-8 to
3.8 km./sec. One important result of these investigations which stands
o'at prominently is that thegranites of Peninsular India exkibit a high velociW
value even;at atmospheric pressure and room temperature when compared
to similar rock types from other countries. I1~-granitic rocks, sound is absolbed
probably due :to scattering an:l consequently the attenuation is found to be
very h~gh. For these and other reasons it was thought desirable to make a
detailed stu:ty of elastioity_of gramtes [Link],k special reference to measurement
 80 S. BALAKRISHNA

of ultrasonic wloeifies and the transmission of sound. The dcpendcnce

of the transmission of ultrasonics on particle size and texture and the ~e!ccity
values on high pressures, dimensional orientation and lattice orientaticn (rock
deformation) will be discussed.
Employing the phenomenon of total internal reflection of a sound wave
at [Link]-solid interface, a technique has been developed for measuring Ultra-
sortie Velocities in solids using pulsed Ultrasonic Izeams by Krishna Murlhy
a n d Balakrishna (1952). With the help of the above method a number of
[Link] have been made on Hyderabad [Link]. The velocity values,
bath VL and Vr in km./sec, at ordinary conditions in number of granites
are given in Table 1.
TABLE I
Ultrasonic velocities in Hyderabad granites

S1. No. Density V~ Vr

gm./c.c.

1 2.68 6.40 3"41

2 2.68 6.15 3.2
3 2-65 5.32 3.0
4 3.69 6.37 3.3
5 2.70 6.90 3.0
6 2-68 6-40 2.9
7 2-70 6.90 3-5
8 2.67 6.21 2.6
9 2.68 6-13 2-6
10 2-67 6.20 3.3

In Table I, it can be clearly seen that the velocities in these

granites are around Vr. (6"3 km./sec.) and Vr (3'0 km.]sec.). These values
are foartcl to be higher in comparison with thoseof scme Arr~erican ~r~_nitcs.
In Table II are given the values of some Indian granites (by lke at:ll=or) ar_d
thgse of A ~ r i c a a grauites (by Birch) at atmospheric pressure and also at
high pressure of the o r d e r of 10,000 bars, in lan./sec.
 Granite Tecwnics of Hyderabad 81

TABLE II
Cornparison of ultrasonic velocities in Indian and American granites

Locality Density V~tl bar~ V~ao, o0o ha,,}

gm./c.c.

1. Rockport, U.S.A. 2.62 5.0 6.51

2. Quincy, U.S.A. 2.62 5.0 6.42
3. Barre, U.S.A. 2.65 5.1 6.39
4. Chemsford, U.S.A. 2-63 4.2 6.35
5. Minnesota, U.S.A. 2.67 6.0 6.48
6. India .. 2.66 6.15 6.66
7. India .. 2.65 6.32 6.68
8. India .. 2- 74 6.00 6.39

6. ROCK DEFORMATIONAND ELASTICITY

In this section an attempt is made to discuss the relationship between

rock deformation and elasticity of rocks.
The orientation of quartz grains in granites which is a result of rock
deformation, as studied by Universal Stage, has been discussed in detail in
Section 4. It has been concluded there that these granites have been deformed,
having been subjected to stresses in the crust.
When compared with the values in Table I, the results in Table II
suggest that the Hyderabad granites which are older (Arch,can) have been
more deformed than in American granites which are younger (Tertiary).
Further, though the velocity values in both the types of granites differ at
atmospheric pressure, they tend to reach almost the same values at higher
pressure (10,000 bars). It is interesting to note the behaviour of the values
in the two types of granites as pressure increases. Figure 3 shows peculiar
behaviour.
An examination o f the graph suggests that American granites (A) which
are younger and consequently less deformed show a steeper rise in the begin.
ning (i.e., value increases rapidly as pore spaces close up) and later attains
133
82 S. BALAKRISHNA

$.5

.6.0~

A - American qranites
B - indian granites"

5.:

A
$.o
PRESSURE x t000 B a r s

FxQ. 3. Variation of Ultrasonic Velocities with pressure.

a steady value. This dependence of the velocity value on the deformation

history of a rock is interesting.

Another interesting feature observed during this investigation is that

as a higher degree of preferred orientation sets in a specimen, a higher
degree of anisotropy is exhibited. This is understandable because rocks,
which are in the nature of polycrystalline aggregates, where the crystallites
are randomly oriented, are found to be elastically isotropic.

Dimensional orientation, which is a direct consequence of the move-

ments that have taken place, is expressed by the presence of lineation and
foliation. The author (1959) has studied the effect of dimensional orientation
on ultrasonic velocities in rocks, and discussed the results in detail. The data
on granitic rocks of Hyderabad are presented in Table III. Velocities
were measured in plates cut perpendicular to definite reference directions,
namely, foliation and lineation. One section is cut parallel to the reference
direction and velocities are measured in a direction perpendicular to lineation
(a), while the other is cut perpendicular to reference direction and velocities
are measured in a direction parallel to lineation (b).

It is seen from Table III that the velocity values in the direction (a),
are consistently higher than in the direction (b) in all the cases. This is to
be expected because more compaction has taken place in the direction per-
pendicular to the lineation because of the stresses which had acted on the
ocks. Similar variation is noted in both the velocity values (VL and VT)
 Granite Tectonics of Hyderabad 8;
TABLE III
Velocities in dimensionally oriented granites

a b
SI. No.
V~. VT VL VT

1 6.9 2.5 6.3 2.4

2 6-9 2.4 6.2 2.3
3 6.4 3.0 6.2 2.9
4 6.2 2.9 6.0 2.8
5 6-1 2-9 5.7 2.6
6 6.1 3.1 5.5 2.7
7 6.3 3.0 5.8 2.6
8 6.7 3.2 6.2 2.7

in all the cases. This is in conformity with the earlier observation o f the
author (1959).

7. CONCLUSION

Pink and Grey types of granites are found in and around Hyderabad
City, although definite boundaries could not be always drawn in the field.
Minor faults and numerous dykes are noticed in the area. The fracture
pattern indicates that major joints follow the lineation direction. Petro-
fabric studies of these granites suggest that they have been appreciably de-
formed. Ultrasonic Velocities have been measured in a number of granites
and it was found that values are around V L = 6.3 km./sec, and VT =
3"0 km./sec. Dimensional orientation and lattice orientation has a consi-
derable influence on velocity values in granites. It has been observed that
velocity value is higher in a direction perpendicular to lineation than in one
parallel to it.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help given by Mr. N. Raja, in preparing

this manuscript and in particular the sketch map showing the distribution
of rock types a n d the structure.
84 S. BALAKRISHNA

REFERENCES

1. Balakrishno, S. .. Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1948, 48(2), 69.

2. .. 1bid., 1959, 49(6), 318.
3. Cloos .. Geo. Soc. Ame., 1946, Memoir 18.
4. Krishna Murthy, M. and Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1953, 38 (6) A, 495.
Balakrishna~ S.
5. Mahadevan, C. .. Jour. Hyd. Geo. Sur., 1945, 4(1).
6. Pascoe, E.H. .. Geo. Surv. Ind. (Manual), 1950, 16.
7. Raja, N. .. Curr. Sci., 1959, 28(7), 284.
8. Sarma, S. R. and Raja, N. Quat. Jour. Geo. Mm. Soc., 1958, 30(4), 215.