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The decline in the yields of most of the crops grown in the hill Inceptisol soils of Jammu region of India , is largely attributed to the gradual decrease in soil quality, owing to the poor soil-nutrient management practices. The indicators and the overall indices of the soil quality can be improved to a greater extent through the conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients, instead solely depending upon the inorganic sources. Therefore, a long-term study was conducted with the prime objective to assess the long-term effect of different conjunctive nutrient management practices on soil quality indicators and indices in hill Inceptisol soils of Jammu region of India. The results of the study revealed that after 11 years the order of superiority of the treatments in terms of maize grain yield was 100% NPK (60:40:20 kg ha−1) (T2) (2186 kg ha−1) > 50% NPK + 50% N (FYM) (1961 kg ha−1) (T7) > 50% NPK + 50% N (crop residue) (1789 kg ha−1) (T6) > 50% N (FYM) (1510 kg ha−1) (T5) > 50% NPK (1436 kg ha−1) (T3) > 50% N (crop residue) (1426 kg ha−1) (T4) > control (1183 kg ha−1) (T1). In case of mustard crop, the order of superiority was T7 (1157 kg ha−1) > T5 (960 kg ha−1) > T6 (903 kg ha−1) > T2 (874 kg ha−1) > T3 (783 kg ha−1 > T4 (710 kg ha−1) > T1 (541 kg ha−1). The percent contribution of key indicators toward soil quality index was in the order of available sulfur (S) (31.9%) > microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (31.8) > dehydrogenase assay (DHA) (8.36%) > pH (8.05%) > electrical conductivity (EC) (6.01%) > organic carbon (OC) (4.87%) > available zinc (Zn) (4.56%) > available phosphorus (P) (4.45%). The relative order of performance of treatments in terms of soil quality indices was T5 (1.52) ≥ T7 (1.52) > T6 (1.46) > T2 (1.38) > T3 (1.33) > T4 (1.25) > T1 (control) (0.97). Our study has clearly indicated that after 11 years, the conjunctive use of organic sources of N such as FYM and crop residues in combination with inorganic sources (@ 50:50 on the basis of N equivalents) proved very effective in improving the soil quality indicators and indices under maize (Zea mays) - mustard (Brassica campestris var. Sarson) crop rotation in rainfed hill Inceptisol soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In‐depth 'One Health' risk assessment of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains carrying the traits of urinary tract infection, sepsis, meningitis and avian colibacillosis in poultry of India. Methods and Results: A total of 230 E. coli isolates were recovered from chicken samples representing the different sources (faeces vs caeca), stages (poultry farms vs retails butcher shop) or environments (rural vs urban) of poultry in India. Among all poultry‐origin E. coli isolates, 49 (21·1%) strains were identified as ExPEC possessing multiple virulence determinants regardless of their association with any specific phylogenetic lineages. Of particular, potentially virulent ExPEC pathotypes, that is, uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC, 20·4%), avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC, 34·6%), septicaemia‐associated E. coli (SEPEC, 47·0%) and neonatal meningitis‐causing E.39 coli (NMEC, 2·0%) were also detected among all ExPEC strains. Conclusions: Our study is the first to assess ExPEC strains circulating in the different settings of poultry in India and significantly demonstrates their potential ability to cause multiple extraintestinal infections both in humans and animals. Significance and Impact of the Study: The data of our study are in favour of the possibility that poultry‐origin putative virulent ExPEC pathotypes consequently constitute a threat risk to 'One Health' or for food safety and a great concern for poultry production of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • High resolution tomographic image of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath NWDVP. • Tectonic and monsoon induced earthquakes of M ≥ 5, associated with low-V and high-Vp/Vs. • Variations in the depth to the Moho signify alterations due to tectonic processes. Abstract The northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province (NWDVP) in India has undergone major tectonic changes during the Eocene–Paleocene, when voluminous eruptions took place due to interaction of the Indian plate with the Reunion plume. The intense seismic activity makes this region as the most vulnerable intraplate earthquake zones, world over. In this study, we utilize arrival times of 40,499 P and 39,581 S phases from waveforms of 5653 events registered at 93 seismic stations to obtain high-resolution tomographic images of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the NWDVP. The images shed light on the relation between seismicity and seismic structure in the source regions of two large earthquakes (Mw ≥ 7.7) at depths >20 km in the rift basins, shallower moderate (Mw ∼5) quakes and swarm induced activity in the horst region. Higher Vp/Vs ratios are observed for the seismogenic rock matrix with entrapped magma fluid that played an important role in triggering large and moderate tectonic earthquakes. High Vp/Vs ratios are also observed in the uppermost crust, indicating that fluid in sediments/fractures triggers the swarm and induced seismicity. The source zones of the shallow, mining induced seismicity are imaged as low Vp, Vs zones. The vertical and horizontal intrusions of the Deccan volcanic magma in the uppermost mantle and lower crust are also well imaged as high Vp and Vs anomalies. Variations in the depth to the Moho and lower crustal velocities signify alterations due to tectonic processes during different time scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the processes involved in the genesis of monsoon induced micro to moderate earthquakes after heavy rainfall during the Indian summer monsoon period beneath the 2011 Talala, Saurashtra earthquake (Mw 5.1) source zone, we assimilated 3-D microstructures of the sub-surface rock materials using a data set recorded by the Seismic Network of Gujarat (SeisNetG), India. Crack attributes in terms of crack density (ε), the saturation rate (ξ) and porosity parameter (ψ) were determined from the estimated 3-D sub-surface velocities (Vp, Vs) and Poisson's ratio (σ) structures of the area at varying depths. We distinctly imaged high-ε, high-ξ and low-ψ anomalies at shallow depths, extending up to 9–15 km. We infer that the existence of sub-surface fractured rock matrix connected to the surface from the source zone may have contributed to the changes in differential strain deep down to the crust due to the infiltration of rainwater, which in turn induced micro to moderate earthquake sequence beneath Talala source zone. Infiltration of rainwater during the Indian summer monsoon might have hastened the failure of the rock by perturbing the crustal volume strain of the causative source rock matrix associated with the changes in the seismic moment release beneath the surface. Analyses of crack attributes suggest that the fractured volume of the rock matrix with high porosity and lowered seismic strength beneath the source zone might have considerable influence on the style of fault displacements due to seismo-hydraulic fluid flows. Localized zone of micro-cracks diagnosed within the causative rock matrix connected to the water table and their association with shallow crustal faults might have acted as a conduit for infiltrating the precipitation down to the shallow crustal layers following the fault suction mechanism of pore pressure diffusion, triggering the monsoon induced earthquake sequence beneath the source zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In western India during the Bhuj earthquake (Mw 7.6) on January 26, 2001, the Anjar City at ~30 km southwest of Bhuj experienced three types of damage scenario: severely damaged, less damaged and non-damaged. Similar damage patterns were also observed for the 1819 (Mw 7.8) and the 1956 (Mw 6.0) earthquakes. Microtremor array measurements were conducted in and around the Anjar city to examine the strength of soil structures and damage pattern. Significant differences are observed in frequencies and amplitudes in horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) using microtremor measurements. The severely- damaged site shows two peak amplitudes: 2.8 at 1.2 Hz; and 4.0 at 8.0 Hz. The less-damaged site also shows two amplitudes: 2.5 and 2.1 at 1.4 Hz; and 2.0 Hz, respectively. The non-damaged site, on the other hand, shows that the HVSR curves become almost flatter. Similar results for three types of damage scenario based on analyses of earthquake records are also observed for the study area. The microtremor array measurements has revealed shear wave velocity V s ≥400 m/s at 18 m depth in the non-damaged, at 40 m in the less-damaged and at 60 m depth in the severely-damaged sites. The site amplitudes and the V s values show a good correlation with the soil characteristics and damage pattern, suggesting that strength of soil layers at varying depths is a dictating factor for the estimate of the earthquake risk evaluation of the area under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Crack attributes of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (Mw 7.6) have been examined. [•] Crack attributed reinforced due to continued aftershock sequences. [•] High-crack density, high-saturation rate and high-porosity anomalies are imaged at mainshock. [•] Results reflect dynamic snapshot of the subsurface crack volume of rocks. [•] Fluid involvement in fault zone may be a causative agent in triggered earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During the 1st decade of the 21st century, the study area of Talala, Saurashtra of western India witnessed three damaging earthquakes of moderate magnitude, year 2007 [Mw 5.0; Mw 4.8] and in the year 2011 [Mw 5.1] that generated public panic in the region. The last damaging moderate earthquake of the 20th October 2011 in Talala region (21.09°N;70.45°E), located at about 200km south to the devastating 2001 Bhuj (23.412°N, 70.232°E) mainshock (Mw 7.6), jolted the entire Saurashtra region of Gujarat. A long series of aftershocks followed hereafter, recorded at nine seismograph/accelerograph stations. Hypocenters of aftershocks were relocated accurately using absolute and relative travel time (double-difference) method. In this study, we, for the first time, determined 3-D tomographic images of the upper crust beneath the 2011 Talala earthquake source zone by inverting about 1135 P and 1125 S wave arrival time data. Estimates of seismic velocities (Vp, Vs) and Poisson’s ratio (σ) structures offer a reliable interpretation of crustal heterogeneities and their bearing on geneses of moderate earthquakes and their aftershock sequences beneath the source zone. It is found that the 2011 Talala mainshock hypocenter depth (6km) is located near the boundary of the low and high velocity (Vp, Vs) and the source zone is associated with low-σ anomalies guarded by the prominent high-σ anomalies along the active fault zone having strike-slip motion beneath the earthquake source zone. The pattern of distribution of (Vp, Vs, σ) and its association with occurrences of aftershocks provide seismological evidence for the neo-tectonics in the region having left lateral strike-slip motion of the fault. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Gujarat state seismic network (GSNet), comprising of 50 broadband seismograph (BBS) stations and 40 strong motion accelerographs (SMAs), has been operated and maintained by the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) since 2006. Nineteen permanent BBS stations are connected through VSAT and the rest are kept in an offline mode. The local geology beneath seismic stations varies from Mesozoic to Quaternary formations. The seismic background noise (SBN) at these stations was calculated and found that it varies widely as a function of period, time and geographic location. We have studied the SBN variation along these three parameters for 14 online BBS stations of the GSNet. It was found that the stations located on the Deccan trap and Mesozoic formations are good sites with low SBN while stations on Quaternary, Tertiary and soft soil are noisy. The comparison between day and night noise spectra shows that SBN increases during the daytime at most of the stations. Three typical noisy peaks at three different periods were recorded at all of the stations, which is a global phenomenon. The results of this study will be helpful in selecting sites for future earthquake observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tsunami hazard for the east coast of India is assessed. The Sumatra-Andaman 1300 km long fault is divided into five segments, each segment assumed to have different fault parameters. The initial vertical displacement of the sea bottom is calculated with the Mansinha and Smylie algorithm. Modeling of tsunami amplitude, travel time, run-up and directivity has been done. We compared simulated tsunami travel times and elevation with data measured at tide gauges and coastal runup. The model results show that the distribution of maximum amplitude in the Indian Ocean basin is primarily controlled by the classical effects of the directivity and by refraction and focusing along bathymetric features. The results suggest 7–8 m run up height at Nagapatanam, Tamil Nadu, which was the worst affected region in the mainland of India during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The kinematics of the crustal-scale Achankovil Shear Zone in the Southern Granulite Terrane, India is often debated. This shear zone is considered to mark the terrane boundary between Madurai Granulite Block towards the north and Kerala Khondalite Belt towards the south. Closely spaced 4500 new gravity measurements in the region reveal the detail crustal fabric across the Achankovil Shear Zone. A subdued Bouguer gravity anomaly along a N–S profile that trends approximately orthogonal to the Achankovil Shear Zone signifies that this part of the crust is devoid of any crustal-scale density discontinuity. Furthermore, horizontal-gradient, analytical signal and second vertical derivative analyses of the gravity data suggest that the density inhomogeneity across the Achankovil Shear Zone is relatively shallow in origin thereby refuting it as a terrane boundary. A prolonged zone of positive gravity gradient, as much as 125 km wide towards south, is due to the effect of the continental margin. 2 1/2D gravity modelling along the profile, constrained from seismic results, reveals a three layer crustal configuration with the depth to Moho varying from 41 km beneath the Vattalkundu to about 34 km beneath the Kanyakumari and then attaining to about 32 km beneath the continental shelf region. The 22 km thick quasi-continental crust in the adjoining Indian Ocean indicates a transitional crust in the Gulf of Mannar region. Analysis of new gravity data thus supports the idea that the Achankovil Shear Zone is an intracratonic litho-tectonic feature and the two provinces across it are related by a continual progression in single metamorphic terrain rather than an ancient geo-suture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Southern Indian shield represents a mosaic comprised of several smaller structural domains separated by discrete shear zones. Here we present a horizontal Bouguer gravity gradient map of the Indian shield, south of 14°N, to define a continental mosaic of gravity trends domains akin to structural domains. The gravity gradient image is based on 7862 newly collected observations merged with 6359 old gravity data. This combined dataset delineates structural boundaries of the five gravity domains related to the Eastern Dharwar Craton, the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt, the extended Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt, the Southern Granulite Terrain, and the Western Dharwar Craton. Other belts of significant gravity gradients are found associated with the Eastern and the Western coasts. The loci of Closepet granite and Kolar schist belts do not manifest themselves as boundary zones between two distinct gravity domains of the Eastern Dharwar Craton. Lack of a gravity gradient across Karur–Oddanchatram–Kodaikanal and Karur–Kambam–Painavu–Trichur Shear Zones may be attributed to a lack of gravity measurements caused by difficulties in collecting data in topographically difficult terrain. The subdued gravity gradient across the Palghat–Cauvery Shear Zone and a weak gradient across the Achankovil Shear Zone indicates a lithological and/or morphological boundary rather than a terrane boundary. Alternatively, structural domains encompassing Palghat–Cauvery and Achankovil Shear Zones may have been in a neighbouring position during the Gondwana assembly, when Pan-African thermal perturbation reactivated the structures and reworked partly or totally obliterating earlier crustal fabric. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The rate of ethylene evolution, 1-amino cyclopropane 1-carboxlylic acid (ACC) content, ACC oxidase activity and free polyamines were monitored during fruit ripening of two guava cultivars (Psidium guajava ) i.e., L-49 (shelf life 7–8 days) and Hisar Safeda (shelf life 3–4 days). Ethylene evolution and ACC oxidase activity were substantially high at turning (T) stage and low at the later stages of fruit ripening, indicating the climacteric nature of the fruit. Contrary to this, ACC content increased progressively throughout ripening, suggesting that ACC oxidase was the rate-limiting step in the biosynthetic pathway of ethylene. The level of putrescine, spermidine and spermine was minimum at the onset of climacteric, suggesting a competition for a common intermediate, S-adenosylmethionine, which, at T stage, is channeled toward ethylene and at later stages, toward polyamines. Less ethylene and higher level of polyamines in L-49 than in Hisar Safeda may be one of the reasons for the prolonged shelf life of L-49. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Guava ( Psidium guajava L.) is an important fruit crop of India and has become very popular because it is rich in nutrient value, moderately priced and has good flavor. Guava is referred to as Poor's apple in many parts of India. Guava has a short shelf life and is most vulnerable to bruising and physical damage, which account for its greatest economical loss. This study indicated the possible interaction of polyamines and ethylene. These results showed that cv L-49 has a longer keeping quality and a lower amount of ethylene and a higher value of polyamines. In light of these findings, one commercial possibility can be exploited that the exogenous application of polyamines, to low concentrations, can be applied to enhance the shelf life of fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Precambrian Dharwar Craton of Peninsular India comprises three distinct crustal domains, namely the Western Dharwar Craton (WDC), the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) and the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB). The domain boundaries are demarcated by bipolar (positive and negative) gravity anomalies, measured along a 600 km long Udipi–Kavali seismic line. The two and half dimensional modelling of the gravity anomalies, well constrained by available seismic depth-sections, identified the two contact zones. One occurs between the WDC (relatively low density) and the EDC (intermediate density), to the east of the Chitradurga Schist Belt and the second occurs between the EDC and the EGMB (high density), to the east of Cuddapah Basin as west verging thrust faults. The three-layer crustal structure is up to 41 km thick beneath the WDC, thinning to 37 km beneath the west coast. Under the EDC, the depth of the Moho varies from 38 km towards the west to 40 km beneath the Cuddapah Basin, and decreases to a depth of 35 km beneath the EGMB. A high-density steeply inclined ridge-like body is modelled between 5 and 20 km depth beneath the Closepet Granite, and a similar body is modelled under the EGMB. It is suggested that the three domains of the Dharwar Craton were brought and welded together at the suture zones in the period from Late Archaean to Late Proterozoic through collisional tectonics. The apparent offsets in the Moho depth may be the imprint of the relative domain movement that probably was initiated by the convergent plate motion. The steeply inclined ridge-like high-density bodies are interpreted as stacked lower crustal blocks from the convergent tectonic setting. The Cuddapah Basin, with a 10 km thick shelf-marine sedimentary sequence, is interpreted as a peripheral foreland basin abutting the EGMB. A lopolith of likely mafic composition is modelled at 10 km depth, and is interpreted as a product of juvenile magmatism beneath the EDC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies the relative natural resistance of Populus deltoides clones against the defoliator Clostera cupreata in northern India. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on agroforestry systems.

The plumbing architecture of the Neoproterozoic Malani Igneous Suite (MIS), representing one of the largest, intraplate, anorogenic rhyolitic volcanism in western Rajasthan, is poorly constrained. We present a crustal scale model from gravity anomaly modelling also supported by other geological and geophysical observations. The regional-residual separation using frequency filtering technique reveals the presence of high-density discreet bodies at different crustal levels. A 2½D forward and 3D constrained inversion of the residual gravity anomaly suggests the presence of sediments covering MIS, and 6–8 km thick high-density sills emplaced in upper crust down to ~9 km depth. The high gravity anomalies in the remaining part of the Bouguer anomaly could be explained by the presence of 10–12 km thick high-density magmatic intrusion at the base of the Moho below 32–38 km depth. These high-density bodies may be attributed to mafic/ultramafic cumulates during MIS magmatism. It appears that the magmatic melts migrated upwards from the mantle to lower crustal magma reservoirs may alter the bulk magma composition by crustal assimilation. The ensuing density contrast would lead to the upward migration of the dominant felsic melt and their emplacement at shallower depths. • New gravity data based complete Bouguer Anomaly Map of Malani Igneous Suite (MIS), western India. • The lows and highs Bouguer gravity anomaly correlate well with the Sanchore and Barmer basins and the cupolas of MIS. • 2½D crustal density model of the Malani Igneous Suite region, western India. • The 3D plumbing architecture of the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Central Indian Shear Zone is a distinct tectonic feature in the central part of India that separates the Central Indian Tectonic Zone from the Bastar Craton. The complete Bouguer anomaly map of the region encompassing Central Indian Shear Zone is characterised by a broad relative gravity high over Central Indian Tectonic Zone as compared to the Bastar Craton. The paired gravity anomaly across the two crustal domains signifies that the Central Indian Shear Zone is a locus of density discontinuity along which the two crustal domains accreted. Horizontal gravity gradient analysis further demonstrates the northward subduction of the Bastar Craton beneath the Bundelkhand Craton. 2½D gravity modelling along Mungwani–Rajnandgaon profile, constrained by Seoni–Kalimati seismic section, delineates a thick crust beneath the Bastar Craton as compared to the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. Northward dipping contact of the two crustal domains when projected on the surface coincides with the Central Indian Shear Zone. With a well defined Moho offset and crustal density discontinuity, Central Indian Shear Zone represents a suture zone that separates the Bastar Craton from the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. A low-velocity (6.4km/s)/density (2.90g/cm3) layer at the base of the crust and relatively lower density (3.21g/cm3) subcrustal mantle may be the imprint of thermal remobilization beneath the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The fold belts, which border the cratons, are the building blocks for understanding the origin and modification of older continents. The Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt (ADFB) in northwestern India provides evidence of crustal block accretion due to continental collision, whereas Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) modified with widespread magmatism. Imaging of upper mantle structure and lithospheric modifications, if any, of such regions has been intricate owing to reworking by subsequent superimposed tectono-magmatic processes. We applied a 2D modelling approach to model the lithospheric architecture along a 1000-km long WNW-SSE geotransect across northwestern India, which has been deformed in the past. Our modelling technique combines terrestrial gravity anomaly, heat flow data, satellite-based geoid, and topographic datasets using the basic premise of thermal steady-state and local isostasy. The overall 38 to 40 km thick crustal geometry underneath the Marwar Block had the maximum lithological heterogeneity. The region surrounding the MIS is characterised by 8–10 km thick high-density (2.78 g/cm3) sills deposited in the upper crust down to 9 km depth and another 10–15 km thick high-density (3.05 g/cm3) mafic mantle material near the Moho. About 42 km thick crust, including an 8 to 10-km thick high-density (3.05 g/cm3) underplated layer at its bottom, characterises the high-relief ADFB. The Vindhyan region of Bundelkhand craton is defined by a ∼ 1 km thick trap, having Moho extending at a depth of ∼40 km. The lithospheric thickness varies substantially from ∼143–168 km underneath the Marwar block, which thins to ∼135 km under the ADFB and thickens gradually to ∼150–165 km beneath the Vindhyan region. Substantial crustal density differences in distinct crustal domains, when integrated with the thin lithosphere, reinforce the concept that tectono-magmatic processes might have modified the lithosphere in NW India. [Display omitted] • A typical layered structure indicates no evidence of crustal modification underneath the Bundelkhand craton • Density inhomogeneity in Marwar Block and ADFB corresponds to crustal modification through collision and mafic intrusion. • Thermal perturbations and collisional tectonics are the twin causes of lithospheric modification in northwest India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microtremor measurements are used for preliminary site effect of the Quaternary sediments of Varanasi in Indo-Gangatic plain, which is being planned as a Smart City of India. We evaluated site effects using single and arrays Microtremor measurements at various sites in the Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, India. At City, H/V spectral ratios using microtremor measurements indicate fundamental frequency range 0.37–0.63 Hz, corresponds amplification 5 to 14 times. This indicates that the deep thickness of the upper soft soil at about several hundreds of meters. Such huge amount of sediments deposition sources could be associated with fluvial rivers system in the area and sediment drain from Himalaya. The average peak frequency (~0.5) may reflect the Quaternary-Tertiary boundary. Microtremor array measurements at two sites were taken using circular arrays (30 and 60 m) which consists of three recording stations on the circumference of circle and one in the centre of circle. The Phase velocity dispersion of Rayleigh wave is calculated from array using SPAC method, and a 1-D shear wave velocity structure is determined by means of inversion processes. The top layers up to 50 m show shear velocities between 280 and 320 m/s and the velocities of underneath layer vary between 1500 and 1600 m/s till 100 m of depth. These results from the present study would be useful for future planning purposes as well as risk management and to reduce severity of earthquake effects in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A damaging and widely felt moderate (Mw 5.0) earthquake occurred in the Talala region of Saurashtra, Gujarat (western India) on November 6, 2007. The highly productive sequence comprised about 1300 micro earthquakes (M >0.5) out of which 325 of M ⩾1.5 that occurred during November 6, 2007–January 10, 2008 were precisely located. The spatial aftershock distribution revealed a NE–SW striking fault in accordance with the centroid moment tensor solution, which in turn implies left-lateral motion. The orientation and sense of shear are consistent with similarly orientated geological fault identified in the area from satellite imagery and field investigation. The aftershocks temporal decay, b-value of frequency–magnitude distribution, spatial fractal dimension, D, and slip ratio (ratio of the slip occurred on the primary fault to the total slip) were examined with the purpose to identify the properties of the sequence. The high b-value (1.18±0.01) may be attributed to the paucity of the larger (M ⩾4.0) aftershocks and reveals crustal heterogeneity and low stress regime. The high p-value (1.10±0.39), implying fast decay rate of aftershocks, evidences high surface heat flux. A value of the spatial fractal dimension (D) equal to 2.21±0.02 indicates random spatial distribution and source in a two-dimensional plane that is being filled-up by fractures. A slip ratio of 0.42 reveals that more slip occurred on secondary fault systems. The static Coulomb stress changes due to the coseismic slip of the main shock, enhanced off fault aftershock occurrence. The occurrence of a moderate earthquake (Mw 4.3) on October 5, 2008 inside a region of positive Coulomb stress changes supports the postulation on aftershock triggering. When the stress changes were resolved on a cross section including the stronger (M4.8) foreshock plane that is positioned adjacent to the main fault, it became evident that the activity continued there due to stress transfer from the main rupture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We estimated the Curie depth using magnetic anomalies in the tectonically complex central Indian shield. The modified centroid method for the scaling distribution of sources is applied to aeromagnetic data and satellite magnetic data (EMAG2) to estimate the Curie depths. We selected 80% overlapping with a window length of 300 × 300 km2 for Curie depth estimation. The estimated Curie depths are 22–46 km being shallower in the Bastar craton, northern end of the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt, and eastern part of Central Indian tectonic zone in the Deccan Volcanic Province. Deeper Curie depths are found in the eastern parts of the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt, Deccan Volcanic Province to the south of Tapti basin, parts of the Ganga and Vindhyan basins. The heat flow values estimated from the Curie depths vary from 30 to 90 mW/m2 being higher are in the northern part covering the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt and the Ganga basin and low heat flow values in the remaining study region. The computed thermal lithospheric thickness ranges 62–120 km, being 62 km thin in the Vindhyan basin, 68 km in the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt, and 73 km in the Bastar craton. We noticed a relatively thick thermal lithospheric thickness of 99 km beneath the foreland Ganga basin and 100 km in the Bundelkhand craton. The thermal lithosphere beneath the Deccan Volcanic Province is found to have a thickness ~ 120 km , which is interpreted as due to the rapid cooling of the lithosphere after Reúnion plume activity. Probably, the plume activities in the past could have modified the thermal lithospheric structure beneath central India. The upper mantle in the Deccan Volcanic Province to the south of the Tapti basin and the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt show magnetic character. • Curie depth (22–46 km), heat flow (30–90 mW/m2) are estimated using EMAG2 data. • Deep Curie depth in the DVP is an imprint of intense cooling after plume activity. • Heat flow is high in parts of the Bastar, Aravalli-Delhi fold belt, Vindhyan basin. • Upper mantle is magnetic in parts of Aravalli-Delhi fold belt, Vindhyan basin, DVP. • Thermal lithospheric thickness varies from 62 to 120 km beneath central India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]