Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models

Abstract The critical zone is the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust, where the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact to sustain life. In continental flood basalt provinces, its structure and evolution remain poorly understood due to lithological complexities and variable weatheri...

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Main Authors: Rashi Sharma, Rahul Dehiya, Sudipta Sarkar, Raymond Duraiswami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13638-4
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author Rashi Sharma
Rahul Dehiya
Sudipta Sarkar
Raymond Duraiswami
author_facet Rashi Sharma
Rahul Dehiya
Sudipta Sarkar
Raymond Duraiswami
author_sort Rashi Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The critical zone is the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust, where the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact to sustain life. In continental flood basalt provinces, its structure and evolution remain poorly understood due to lithological complexities and variable weathering patterns. Geological and geophysical characterization of the subsurface is essential to unravel these factors. Despite advances in understanding basalt lava flow stratigraphy in the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), field-scale seismic velocity variations within these flows and their internal structure remain largely unknown. This study integrates seismic data with volcanological information to investigate weathering patterns in the uppermost 50 m of basalt lava flows around Pune city in the western DVP. Using the multi-channel analysis of surface waves technique, we estimate shear wave velocity variations across flow units and dykes. By co-analyzing seismic data with morphological variations across outcrops, we develop a field-scale velocity characterization across basalt lavas and dykes. Critical zone facies, identified and validated through outcrop studies, include soil, weathered bedrock with vesicular basalt, columnar-jointed lava cores, red bole, and intrusive dykes. An analysis of vegetation distribution, landscape morphology, and lithological variability provides insights into key weathering and erosional processes shaping the critical zone in this volcanic terrain.
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spelling doaj-art-62e462776c3245f1bff0eef2fcd4b9782025-08-20T04:03:02ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115112110.1038/s41598-025-13638-4Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity modelsRashi Sharma0Rahul Dehiya1Sudipta Sarkar2Raymond Duraiswami3Department of Earth and Climate Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research PuneDepartment of Earth and Climate Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research PuneDepartment of Earth and Climate Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research PuneDepartment of Geology, Savitribai Phule Pune UniversityAbstract The critical zone is the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust, where the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact to sustain life. In continental flood basalt provinces, its structure and evolution remain poorly understood due to lithological complexities and variable weathering patterns. Geological and geophysical characterization of the subsurface is essential to unravel these factors. Despite advances in understanding basalt lava flow stratigraphy in the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), field-scale seismic velocity variations within these flows and their internal structure remain largely unknown. This study integrates seismic data with volcanological information to investigate weathering patterns in the uppermost 50 m of basalt lava flows around Pune city in the western DVP. Using the multi-channel analysis of surface waves technique, we estimate shear wave velocity variations across flow units and dykes. By co-analyzing seismic data with morphological variations across outcrops, we develop a field-scale velocity characterization across basalt lavas and dykes. Critical zone facies, identified and validated through outcrop studies, include soil, weathered bedrock with vesicular basalt, columnar-jointed lava cores, red bole, and intrusive dykes. An analysis of vegetation distribution, landscape morphology, and lithological variability provides insights into key weathering and erosional processes shaping the critical zone in this volcanic terrain.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13638-4Critical zoneDeccan volcanic provinceshear-wave velocity of basaltMASW
spellingShingle Rashi Sharma
Rahul Dehiya
Sudipta Sarkar
Raymond Duraiswami
Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
Scientific Reports
Critical zone
Deccan volcanic province
shear-wave velocity of basalt
MASW
title Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
title_full Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
title_fullStr Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
title_full_unstemmed Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
title_short Seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
title_sort seismic characterization of lava flow facies in the critical zone of the deccan traps using shear wave velocity models
topic Critical zone
Deccan volcanic province
shear-wave velocity of basalt
MASW
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13638-4
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AT rahuldehiya seismiccharacterizationoflavaflowfaciesinthecriticalzoneofthedeccantrapsusingshearwavevelocitymodels
AT sudiptasarkar seismiccharacterizationoflavaflowfaciesinthecriticalzoneofthedeccantrapsusingshearwavevelocitymodels
AT raymondduraiswami seismiccharacterizationoflavaflowfaciesinthecriticalzoneofthedeccantrapsusingshearwavevelocitymodels