Rocks exposed across the hundreds of islands that belong to the 800 km long Andaman–Nicobar archipelago provide a condensed window into the active subduction zone that separates the India–Australia plate from the over-riding Burma–Sunda plate. Despite a strategic and seismically active location the Andaman-Nicobar ridge has seen comparatively little research. This Memoir provides the first detailed and comprehensive account of geological mapping and research across the island chain and adjacent ocean basins. Chapters examine models of Cenozoic rifting of the Andaman Sea and the regional tectonic and seismogenic framework. A detailed critical review of the Andaman–Nicobar stratigraphy, supported by new data, includes arc volcanism and a description of Barren Island, India's only active volcano. Seismic history and hazards and the impacts of the 2004 earthquake and tsunami are also described. The Andaman–Nicobar Accretionary Ridge ends with an examination of the region's natural resources and hydrocarbon prospects.
Preface
Chapter 1 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. Introduction and history of mapping and research
Chapter 2 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C.& CARTER, A. Introduction to the geography and geomorphology of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands
Chapter 3 CLIFT, P. D. Regional context of the geology of the Andaman–Nicobar accretionary ridge
Chapter 4 MORLEY, C. K. Cenozoic rifting, passive margin development and strike-slip faulting in the Andaman Sea: a discussion of established v. new tectonic models
Chapter 5 MORLEY, C. K. & SEARLE, M. Regional tectonics, structure and evolution of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands from ophiolite formation and obduction to collision and back-arc spreading
Chapter 6 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. & CARTER, A. Geological framework of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands
Chapter 7 GHOSH, B., BANDYOPADHYAY, D. & MORISHITA, T. Andaman–Nicobar Ophiolites, India: origin, evolution and emplacement
Chapter 8 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. & CARTER, A. Mithakhari deposits
Chapter 9 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. & CARTER, A. Submarine fan deposits: petrography and geochemistry of the Andaman Flysch
Chapter 10 LIMONTA, M., RESENTINI, A., CARTER, A., BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. & GARZANTI, E. Provenance of Oligocene Andaman sandstones (Andaman–Nicobar Islands): Ganga–Brahmaputra or Irrawaddy derived?
Chapter 11 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. & CARTER, A. The Archipelago Group: current understanding
Chapter 12 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. Inner-arc volcanism: Barren and Narcondam islands
Chapter 13 SINGH, S. C. & MOEREMANS, R. Anatomy of the Andaman–Nicobar subduction system from seismic reflection data
Chapter 14 CARTER, A. & BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. Seismicity of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands and Andaman Sea
Chapter 15 CARTER, A. & BANDOPADHYAY, P. C. The 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami
Chapter 16 BANDOPADHYAY, P. C., GHOSH, B. & CARTER, A. Natural resources
Index
"This volume makes a major contribution to our understanding of this basin, presenting evidence for the dominance within it of hyper-extended continental rather than oceanic crust. Other papers focus on the geology of the islands themselves, and here the resemblances to the islands west of Sumatra are very striking. Many of the abundant and excellent photographs could equally well have been taken on one of those. It is not just the photographs, but the maps and diagrams that are of high quality, and despite its multiple authorship the volume hangs together as a coherent whole."
– John Milsom, Geoscientist, vol 27/8 Sept 2017