THE PANVEL-FLEXURE ALONG THE WESTERN INDIAN CONTINENTAL-MARGIN - AN EXTENSIONAL FAULT STRUCTURE RELATED TO DECCAN MAGMATISM

On the basis of field observations aided by remote sensing data a new model for the Western Indian ''Panvel Flexure'' is proposed. The model involves normal motion on east-dipping faults and westward tilting of fault blocks. The ''flexuring'' occurred by attenuation and founderin g of continental crust due to crustal thinning and loading by a dyke-s warm, following a period of massive magmatic discharge accompanying th e continental break-up and opening of Indian Ocean during early Tertia ry times.