Metamorphic rocks are repositories of information regarding the thermo-tectonic history of paleo-continents, crustal evolution and its interactions with the mantle.
The Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Lab at IIEST Shibpur attempts to study several metamorphic rocks from high-grade terranes like the Granulite Terrane of Southern India, Ghatsia domain of Singbhum Craton, which involves field work, thin section petrography, major-trace element geochemistry and utilizing thermodynamic parameters for phase-equilibria modelling. The aim is to characterise the P-T conditions, role of fluids, trace-element partitioning behaviour etc., which in turn shed light upon the nature of plate tectonics, geothermal gradient and the similarities and differences involved in the evolution of the modern crust from the early continental crust. Considering the current shift of the world towards cleaner energy alternatives, new avenues are being explored such as critical-mineral research.
The lab believes in the famous quote by Carl Sagan, “Absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence”.