Aravalli Craton
What areas does the Aravalli Craton cover?
The Aravalli Craton covers over one lakh(100000) sq. km, including the entire state of Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and fringes of Delhi and Haryana.
What are the main components of the composite Aravalli Craton?
The composite Aravalli Craton consists of the Mewar Craton in the east and the Marwar Craton in the west, separated by the Phulad lineament. It is bound by the Great Boundary Fault (GBF) and the Vindhyan Basin to the east, the SONATA (Son Narmada-Tapti) Lineament to the south, and extends into the Himalayas to the north.
What is unique about the Aravalli Craton?
The Aravalli Craton does not contain typical greenstone belts or volcanic-dominated belts. Instead, it is composed predominantly of quartzites, marbles, pelites, greywackes, and volcanic, exposed in the Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi orogen.

What significant geological features are present in the Aravalli Craton?
- Largest felsic province in India, Malani Igneous Suite (750 Ma)
- Prominent fold belts of Aravalli and Delhi
- Archean basement of grey gneisses known as the Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC)
- Significant mineral deposits, including Pb-Zn-Cu at Agucha and Zawar

How is the Aravalli Craton divided?
The Aravalli Craton is divided into several tectono-stratigraphic elements:
- Archaean: Mewar Gneiss with Ancient Supracrustal Enclaves (Jagat Group)
- Bhilwara Supergroup: Hindoli Group, Mangalwar Complex, Sandmata Complex
- Mineralized Supracrustal Belts: Rajpura-Dariba, Pur-Banera, Zawar-Jahazpur, etc.
- Palaeoproterozoic: Aravalli Fold Belt
- Mesoproterozoic: Delhi Fold Belt
- Neoproterozoic: Basins (Sirohi, Sindreth, Punagarh), Malani Igneous Suite, Marwar Basin
Geological Formations and Groups | |||
Era/Period | Age (Ma) | Supergroup/Complex | Specific Groups/Notes |
NeoProterozoic | 500-550 | Marwar Supergroup | |
NeoProterozoic | 720-750 | MIS (Malani Igneous Suite) | Felsic |
NeoProterozoic | 800-850 | Sindhreth/Punagarh Groups, Sirohi Group | |
NeoProterozoic | 900 | Erinpura Granite | |
Meso Proterozoic | 1100-900 | Delhi Supergroup | South Delhi Fold Belt |
Palaeoproterozoic | 1600-1450 | North Delhi Fold Belt | |
Palaeoproterozoic | 1800 | Sandmata Complex | |
Palaeoproterozoic | 1800-1700 | Hindoli Group | |
Palaeoproterozoic | 2800-1800 | Aravalli Supergroup | Mineralized basins (Rajpura-Dariba) |
Neo Archean | – | Mangalwar Complex with Bhilwara Group | |
Meso Archean | 2900-2600 | Mangalwar Complex with Bhilwara Group | |
Meso Archean | 3300-3000 | Mewar Gneiss with Jagat Group | |
Detailed Supergroups and Complexes | |||
Era/Period | Supergroup/Complex | Specific Groups/Notes | |
Archean | BHILWARA SUPERGROUP | Sand Mata Complex, Mangalwar Complex, Hindoli Group | |
Proterozoic | BHILWARA SUPERGROUP | Hindoli Group, Sandmata Complex, Pur-Banera Group, Jahazpur Group, Sawar Group | |
Proterozoic | ARAVALLI SUPERGROUP | Rajpura-Dariba Group, Udaipur Group, Bari Lake Group, Kankroli Group | |
Proterozoic | DELHI SUPERGROUP | Alwar Group, Ajabgarh Group, Raialo Group, Darwal Group | |
Proterozoic | DELHI SUPERGROUP | Alwar Group, Ajabgarh Group, Raialo Group, Neem-Ka-Thana Group | |
Proterozoic | VINDHYAN SUPERGROUP | Bhander Group, Rewa Group, Kaimur Group | |
Proterozoic | MARWAR SUPERGROUP | Jodhpur Group, Bilara Group, Nagaur Group | |
Mesozoic/Cenozoic | – | Deccan Traps, Tertiary Alkaline Complex, Sedimentaries |
What are the major crustal-scale lineaments in the Aravalli Craton?
- Great Boundary Fault
- Banas Lineament or Jahazpur Thrust
- Delwara Lineament
- Kaliguman Lineament
- Rikhabdev Lineament
- Phulad Lineament
What is the Bhilwara Supergroup?
The Bhilwara Supergroup, also known as the Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC), consists of a series of gneisses and granulites, now divided into:
- Hindoli Group
- Mangalwar Complex
- Sandmata Complex
What are the mineralized supracrustal belts in the Aravalli Craton?
- Rampura-Agucha Belt
- Rajpura-Dariba Belt
- Pur-Banera Belt
- Sawar Belt
Detailed Description of Aravalli Craton
Geographic and Geologic Overview of Aravalli Craton
The Aravalli Craton spans over one lakh sq. km, covering the entire state of Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and fringes of Delhi and Haryana. This vast geological structure consists of the Mewar Craton in the east and the Marwar Craton in the west, separated by the Phulad lineament. The craton is bound by the Great Boundary Fault (GBF) and the Vindhyan Basin to the east and the SONATA (Son Narmada-Tapti) Lineament to the south. In the north, it extends into the Himalayas, likely through the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, and sparse outcrops in the west extend into Pakistan’s Thar Desert.
Unique Geological Features of Aravalli Craton
The Aravalli Craton is notable for its lack of typical greenstone or volcanic-dominated belts, which are common in other regions. Instead, it primarily comprises quartzites, marbles, pelites, greywackes, and volcanics, forming the well-known Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi orogen. This orogen features two prominent fold belts, Aravalli and Delhi, which lie unconformably on the Archaean basement of grey gneisses, known as the Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC). The craton also hosts India’s largest felsic province, the Malani Igneous Suite, which is the third-largest in the world, dating back to 750 Ma.
Mineral Wealth of Aravalli Craton
The Aravalli Craton is home to significant mineral deposits, including the country’s only large Pb-Zn-Cu deposits at Agucha and Zawar. Other notable deposits include stromatolites, phosphorites, and marbles (Makrana, Ras).
Tectono-Stratigraphic Elements of Aravalli Craton
The Aravalli Craton is divided into several tectono-stratigraphic elements:
- Archaean: Mewar Gneiss with Ancient Supracrustal Enclaves (Jagat Group)
- Bhilwara Supergroup: Hindoli Group, Mangalwar Complex, Sandmata Complex
- Mineralized Supracrustal Belts: Rajpura-Dariba, Pur-Banera, Zawar-Jahazpur, etc.
- Palaeoproterozoic: Aravalli Fold Belt
- Mesoproterozoic: Delhi Fold Belt
- Neoproterozoic: Basins (Sirohi, Sindreth, Punagarh), Malani Igneous Suite, Marwar Basin
Major Crustal Scale Lineaments
- Great Boundary Fault: Bounds the Vindhyan Basin to the east and Hindoli belt to the west.
- Banas Lineament or Jahazpur Thrust: Separates the Hindoli belt from the Mangalwar Complex in the north and Mewar Gneiss in the south.
- Delwara Lineament: Marks a metamorphic-migmatitic or sheared tectonic contact between the Mangalwar and Sandmata Complexes.
- Kaliguman Lineament: Separates the Delhi fold belt from the Sandmata Complex in the north and the Aravalli fold belt in the south.
- Rikhabdev Lineament: Encloses an ultramafic-mafic belt (ophiolite) between shallow shelf and deep-water facies in the Aravalli fold belt.
- Phulad Lineament: Marks the tectonic boundary between Mewar and Marwar cratons.
Bhilwara Supergroup
The Bhilwara Supergroup, formerly known as the Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC), consists of a series of gneisses and granulites that form the basement of the Aravalli-Delhi Orogen. It is divided into:
- Hindoli Group: Turbidites and volcanics, including Berach granite and Jahazpur granite (intrusive).
- Mangalwar Complex
- Sandmata Complex
- Mineralized belts: Including Ranthambor Group, Jahazpur Group, Sawar Group, Pur Banera Group, Rajpura-Dariba, Berach Granite, Untala and Gingla Granite.
Mineralized Supracrustal Belts
- Rampura-Agucha Belt: Located near the Delwara Lineament at the contact of the Mangalwar and Sandmata Complexes, hosting the largest Pb-Zn deposit in the country. The main host rock for sulfide mineralization is graphite biotite-sillimanite gneiss.
- Rajpura-Dariba Belt: Contains Pb-Zn-Cu deposits.
- Pur-Banera Belt: Hosts BIF, Zn-Pb-Cu deposits.
- Sawar Belt: Contains chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite, and galena.
Schemese of Aravalli Super Group
Heron (1953) | |
Stratigraphic Units | |
Impure limestone, quartzite, phyllite, biotite schist and composite gneiss | Granite, basic, and ultrabasic rocks |
Quartzite, grit, conglomerate & soda syenite | Aravalli System |
Local amygdaloids and tuffs | |
– Unconformity – | |
Banded Gneissic Complex | |
Gupta et al. (1997) | |
Aravalli Supergroup | |
Chanpaner Group | Aravalli Supergroup |
Lunavada Group | |
Granites, Rikhbdev ultramafic suite | |
Jharol/Dovda/Nathdwara Groups | |
Bari Lake/ Kankroli Groups | |
Udaipur Group | |
Debari Group | |
– Unconformity – | |
Bhilwara Supergroup | |
Sinha-Roy et al. (1998) | |
Darwal Granite | Aravalli Supergroup |
Jharol Group (including Rikhbdev ultramafics) | |
– Unconformity – | |
Leucogranite | |
Debari Group (including Jahazpur, Pur-Banera, Rajpura-Dariba etc. belts) | |
Delwara Group | |
– Unconformity – | |
Bhilwara Supergroup | |
Roy and Jakhar (2002) | |
Upper | Aravalli Group |
Serpentinite | |
Lakhavali Phyllite | |
Kabita Dolomite | |
Debari Formation | |
Middle | |
Tidi Formation | |
Bowa Formation | |
Mochia Formation | |
Udaipur Formation | |
Lower | |
Jhamarkotra Formation | |
Delwara Formation | |
– Unconformity – | |
Mewar Gneiss |
Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi Orogen
What does the Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi Orogen consist of?
The Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi Orogen comprises the Paleo-Proterozoic Aravalli Fold Belt and the Mesoproterozoic Delhi Fold Belt, renowned for their rich base metal deposits.
Paleo-Proterozoic Aravalli Fold Belt
Paleo-Proterozoic Aravalli Fold Belt |
Aravalli Supergroup (2200-1800 Ma) |
Champaner Group |
Lunavada Group |
Jharol Group |
Bari Lake Group |
Udaipur Group (Zawar formation (Pb-Zn-Ag) deposit, dolomite host) |
Debari Group (Distinct Stromatolitic Assemblages) |
Delwara Group |
————– Unconformity ————– |
Bhilwara Supergroup (Mangalwar complex/sandmata complex) |
Mewar Gneiss with Jagat Group Enclaves |
Delhi Supergroup (Meso-Upper Proterozoic)
Delhi Supergroup (Meso-Upper Proterozoic) | South West Rajasthan | Ajmer Sector | North Eastern Sector |
MIS Malani Igneous Suite (750 Ma) | |||
Erinpura Granite | |||
Godhra Granite | |||
Punagarh Group | |||
Sindreth Group | Sindreth Group | ||
Dadikar, Ajitgarh, Bairath, Sikar | Dadikar, Ajitgarh, Bairath, Sikar | ||
Sirohi Group | |||
Chapoli Granite | Chapoli Granite | ||
Sendhra-Ambaji Granite | Sendhra-Ambaji Granite | ||
Kishengarh Syenite (1500 Ma) | Kishengarh Syenite (1500 Ma) | ||
Kumbalgarh Group | Kumbalgarh Group | ||
Ajabgarh Group | Ajabgarh Group | Ajabgarh | |
Gogunda Group | Gogunda Group | ||
Alwar Group | Alwar Group | ||
Raialo Group | Raialo Group |
Heron (1953)
Heron (1953) | |
Group/System | Series/Subgroup |
Malani Series | Erinpura granite |
Delhi System | Ajabgrh Series, Alwar Series, Railo Series |
Aravalli System | |
Banded gneissic complex (BGC) |
Gupta et al. (1980)
Gupta et al. (1980) | |
Group/System | Supergroup/Subgroup |
Proterozoic-III | Marwar Supergroup, Malani suite, Erinpura granite and gneiss, Vindhyan Supergroup |
Delhi Supergroup (2000–740 Ma) Proterozoic-II | punagarh group= sinderth group, sirohi group= sendra ambaji granite (Ca. 800 Ma), Kumbhalgarh group = Aajbgarh group, Gogunda Group-= Alwar group |
Aravalli Supergroup Aravalli Supergroup (2500–2000 Ma) | |
Bhilwara Supergroup Archean |
Roy and Jakhar (2002)
Roy and Jakhar (2002) | |
Group/System | Supergroup/Subgroup |
Marwar Supergroup | Malani Group = Sindreth Group (780–680 Ma), Granite of Erinpura, Pali, etc. 835 Ma, Sirohi Group, Intrusion of gabbro, diorite (1000 Ma) |
Proterozoic-II | Synorogenic granite (1400 Ma), Delhi Supergroup |
Proterozoic-I | Darwal granite (1850 Ma), Aravalli Supergroup |
Archean | Untala, Ahar, Berach granitoids (2500 Ma), Mewar gneiss (Heron’s BGC) (2600–3300 Ma) |
Comparisons
Comparisons | |||
Group/System | Heron (1953) | Gupta et al. (1980) | Roy and Jakhar (2002) |
Malani Series | Erinpura granite | Marwar Supergroup, Malani suite, Erinpura granite and gneiss, Vindhyan Supergroup | Marwar Supergroup, Malani Group = Sindreth Group (780–680 Ma), Granite of Erinpura, Pali, etc. 835 Ma, Sirohi Group, Intrusion of gabbro, diorite (1000 Ma) |
Delhi System | Ajabgrh Series, Alwar Series, Railo Series | Delhi Supergroup (2000–740 Ma) | Synorogenic granite (1400 Ma), Delhi Supergroup |
Aravalli System | Aravalli Series | Aravalli Supergroup (2500–2000 Ma) | Darwal granite (1850 Ma), Aravalli Supergroup |
Banded gneissic complex (BGC) | Bhilwara Supergroup | Untala, Ahar, Berach granitoids (2500 Ma), Mewar gneiss (Heron’s BGC) (2600–3300 Ma) |
Table 5.2 Lithostratigraphy of the Delhi Supergroup (after Singh 1988)
Group | Formation | Description |
Ajabgarh Group | Kankwari Formation | Quartz–sericite schist, quartzite, thin lenses of marble and felspathic schist with quartzite and slate |
Rajgarh Formation | Quartzite with lenses of schists and phyllites. Quartzite with two thick horizons of conglomerates | |
Unconformity | ||
Alwar Group | Pratapgarh Formation | Quartzite and quartz–sericite schist |
Lakhanpur Formation | Sandstone | |
Kanawar Formation | Quartzite | |
Umraind Formation | Conglomerate | |
Mohioni Formation | Conglomerate and quartzite | |
Martalab Formation | Quartzite | |
Unconformity | ||
Raialo Group | Tehla–Govindpura Formation | Lava flows (including pillow lava), agglomerate and tuff and associated conglomerate, quartzite, phyllite and marble |
Serrate Formation | Quartzite with lenses of oligomictic Conglomerate | |
Dogeta Formation | Banded siliceous marble, phyllite, quartzite, dolomitic marble and bands of conglomerate and phyllite | |
Unconformity | ||
Banded Gneissic Complex/Aravali Supergroup |
What is the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS)?
The Malani Igneous Suite (745-725 Ma) is the largest felsic province in India, underlain by the Sirohi and Sindreth Groups. It consists of granitoids from the Delhi Supergroup, mainly Sendhra-Ambaji and Erinpura Granite, and is unconformably overlain by the Glacial Pokhran Bed and Marwar Supergroup.
How is the MIS developed?
The MIS developed in three phases:
- Bimodal Volcanics: Rhyolite basaltic flows
- Granitoidal Bodies: Jalor plutons and Siwana Granite (ring dyke)
- Dyke Swarms: Dolerite
What is the Marwar Supergroup?
The Marwar Supergroup, dating back to 680 Ma, includes:
- Nagaur (SST)
- Bilara (Hansenram Group) (LST)
- Jodhpur (SST)
Litho Map Of Aravalli-Bundelkhand

Mineralization
Deposit | Ore reserve (Mt) | Lithological association | Mode of occurrence | Isotope composition | Transformation | Age (Ma) |
Rampura-Agucha | 61 (16.1 wt% Zn + Pb) | Graph-sill-mica Schists, Gt-biot-sill gneiss | Sheet-like, deformed into doubly plunging synform | δ³⁴S (Sph): +7 to +10.3 δ¹³C: -24 to -29 | Upper amphibolite facies Max. T = 650 °C, P = 6 kbar | Model PB age: 1800 |
Rajpura-Dariba | 152.62 (2.67-3.28 wt% Zn + Pb + Cu) | Dolomitic marble, Ky-St-bearing Chl-mica schists | Sheet-like/lensoid | δ³⁴S (Py): +9.1 to 6.7 δ¹³C: -21 to -22 | Metamorphosed T = 525-625 °C, P = 2-4 kbar | Model PB age: 1880 |
Zawar | 74.3 (6.6-6.7 wt% Zn + Pb) | Dolostone, phyllite, quartzite | Transgressive stratiform | δ³⁴S (Gal): +4 to +8.8 | Low-temperature modification-induced remobilization | Model PB age: 1700 |
Khetri | 83 (0.88-1.5 wt% Cu) | Gt-chl schists, amphibolite, quartzite in the northern part | Lensoid/sheet-like, concordant with host rocks | δ³⁴S (Py): +7 to +11 δ¹³C: -28 | Metamorphosed T = 525-625 °C, P = 2-4 kbar | Model PB age: 1780 |
Saladipura | 115 (22.5 wt% S) | Amphibolite, qtz-cordierite-anth rock, and-meta schists, marble | Sheet-like (7 km strike), deformed into a synformal structure | δ³⁴S (Po, Py): +3 to +5.5 δ¹³C: -28 | Metamorphosed T = 525-625 °C, P = 2-4 kbar | Model PB age: 1780 |
Ambaji-deri | 9.2 (12.1-14.7 wt% Zn + Pb + Cu) | Cord-anth rocks, Gt-chl-trem schists, diopsolite marbles | Tabular/lensoid bodies, concordant with host rocks | δ³⁴S (Sulphides): +15.5 | Metamorphosed T = 525-625 °C, P = 2-4 kbar | Model PB age: 900 |
Basantgarh | 3.5 (2.9 wt% Cu + Zn) | Chl-mus-qtz schists, tholeiitic Metabasalts | Lensoid bodies, accordant with host rocks | δ³⁴S (Sulphides): +6.8 (mean) | Co-metamorphosed with host rocks in the greenschist-amphibolite facies | Model PB age: 1300 |
Mineral abbreviations:
- Amph: amphibole
- And: andalusite
- Anth: anthophyllite
- Biot: biotite
- Chl: chlorite
- Diop: diopside
- Forst: forsterite
- Gal: galena
- Graph: graphite
- Grt: garnet
- Ky: kyanite
- Mus: muscovite
- Qtz: quartz
- Sill: sillimanite
- Sph: sphalerite
- St: staurolite
- Po: pyrrhotite
- Py: pyrite
The Jhamarkotra Formation of the Lower Aravalli supergroup in the Udaipur region contains moderately large phosphorite deposits. The phosphorite, intimately associated with columnar branching stromatolites, was formed in porewater within buried sediments under anaerobic conditions generated by biological activity of algae
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