The tectonic deformation of the outer Indo-Burman Ranges (i.e., Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt, CTFB) is associated with the oblique convergence of Indo-Burmese plates since the latest Miocene. This article presents detailed field evidence of deformation structures and their kinematics in the exposed Tertiary successions in the CTFB. We combine observations made in this study with the published structural, geodetic, and seismic data sets to present an overview of the active tectonic framework of the region and its strain partitioning. To determine the kinematic evolution, décollement depth, and amount of strain, we combined geologic field mapping, structural analysis of fifteen anticlines, fracture/lineament analysis, and paleostress analysis of faults that define the ∼100 km wide CTFB. Structural data and kinematic analyses suggest subhorizontal plane strain with approximately 10% east-west shortening (oriented ~65°) that is perpendicular to the axial plane (oriented ~155°) of the CTFB anticlines. No evidence of significant transpression or strike-slip faulting has been observed in the CTFB and, therefore, suggests that full slip-partitioning is normal to the outer belt and parallel to the inner belt of the IBR. Paleostress analysis results are in good agreement with the present-day stress regime, and this implies that past and present deformation is dynamically related with the normal component of India-Burma oblique vector velocity motion.

The metavolcanics of Chitradurga region host numerous shallow crustal veins and fractures and faults of multiple orientations. Several high and lowP_fcycles have been recorded in the region, leading to the reactivation of most of the pre-existing fractures for highP_fand selective reactivation of some well-oriented fractures under lowP_fconditions. The pre-existing anisotropy (magnetic fabric) in the metavolcanics acted as the most prominent planar fabric for fracture propagation and vein emplacement under both conditions, thereby attaining maximum vein thickness. In this study, we emphasize the reactivation propensity of these pre-existing fracture planes under conditions of fluid pressure variation, related to the high and lowP_fcycles. Multiple cycles of fluid-induced fracture reactivation make it difficult to quantify the maximum/minimum fluid pressure magnitudes. However, in this study we use the most appropriate fluid pressure magnitudes mathematically feasible for a shallow crustal depth of ∼2.4 km. We determine the changes in the reactivation potential with states of stress for the respective fracture orientations under both high and lowP_fconditions. Dependence of fluid pressure variation on the opening angle of the fractures is also monitored. Finally, we comment on the failure mode and deformation behaviour of the fractures within the prevailing stress field inducing volumetric changes at the time of deformation. We find that deformation behaviour is directly related to the dip of the fracture planes.

Most of the upper crustal fluid flows are strongly influenced by the pre-existing fractures/foliations in the rocks under a certain state of tectonic stress and fluid pressure condition. In the present study, we analyzed a wide range of crosscutting fractures that are filled with quartz veins of variable orientations and thicknesses, from the gold-bearing massive metabasalts (supracrustals) of the Chitradurga Schist Belt adjacent to the Chitradurga Shear Zone (CSZ), Western Dharwar Craton, southern India. The study involves the following steps: (1) analyzing the internal magnetic fabric, using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) studies, and determining strength of the host metabasalts, (2) quantifying the fluid pressure condition through lower hemisphere equal area projection of pole to veins by determining the driving pressure ratio (R^′), stress ratio (ϕ), and susceptibility to fracturing, and (3) deciphering the paleostress condition using fault-slip analysis. We interpret the NNW–SSE to NW–SE (mean 337/69^∘ NE) oriented magnetic fabric in the rocks of the region as having developed during regional D1/D2 deformation on account of NE–SW shortening. However, D3 deformation manifested by NW–SE to E–W shortening led to the sinistral movement along CSZ. As a consequence of this sinistral shearing, fractures with prominent orientations formed riedel shear components, with CSZ as the shear boundary. Subsequently, all the pre-existing fabrics along with the riedel shear components were reactivated and vein emplacement took place through episodic fluid pressure fluctuation from high to low P_f at shallow depth (∼ 2.4 km). However, NNW–SSE orientations were prone to reactivate under both high- and low-P_f conditions, thereby attaining maximum vein thickness along these orientations. The deduced paleostress from fault-slip analysis along with the kinematics of the fractures and veins are in good agreement with previously estimated regional tectonics. Thus, integrating multiple domains of studies helps in the logical interpretation of fluid flow conditions and vein emplacement mechanisms in the study area that has not been ventured before.