Rock magnetic evidence of tectonic control on the sedimentation and diagenesis in the Andaman Sea over ~1 million years

Abstract

We evaluate the sedimentary (magnetic, mineralogical, geochemical, grain size) records of a long sediment core (NGHP-01-17 A) to elucidate the tectonic control on the sedimentation and diagenesis in the Andaman Sea (AS) over the past ~ 1 Ma. Two distinct sedimentary magnetic zones (Z-I and Z-II) are identified based on the rock magnetic signatures. A significant shift in the depositional environment is observed around ~90 ka which is marked by a rapid change in magnetite susceptibility (χlf), Fe, Ti and organic carbon content in Z-I. A trend of upward increase in χlf from ~90 ka to 3 ka in core NGHP-01-17 A suggest increase in detrital flux to the AS and represents the onset of a new sedimentary regime following most recent event of tectonic uplift in Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR) which occurred at ~ 150 ka. Methane influenced progressive diagenetic dissolution of detrital iron oxides and subsequent precipitation of iron sulfides in Z-II is clearly evident in the rock magnetic and mineralogical data. Multiple bands of diagenetically formed iron sulfide nodules at different periods in Z-II indicate episodic intensification of anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) due to enhanced methane-flux. We propose that fluid migration forced by tectonic processes facilitated episodic release of methane from deep reservoir that led to the formation of iron-sulfide nodules in the AS.