Long-term sediment accumulation and intra-plate deformation in the Central Indian Ocean

The Central Indian Deformation Zone (CIDZ) is a unique area for investigating intra-plate deformation within oceanic regions. Here we attempt to decipher evolutionary history of this basin with special focus on the past tectonic processes and sediment dynamics. We focus on regional-scale basin subsidence modeling to understand the lithosphere's response to sediment loading over time. Our study elucidates sedimentation patterns and basin evolution across geological epochs by integrating flexural backstripping of high-resolution Multichannel Seismic (MCS) data. Significant fluctuations in sediment accumulation rates, particularly during the Early to Late Miocene era, are evident. Recent studies in the CIDZ region stressed the plausible initiation of intra-plate deformation approximately 17-18 million years ago, supported by detailed fault-throw analysis. Our results underscore the pivotal role of intra-plate deformation in generating additional accommodation space within the CIDZ, thereby influencing sedimentation dynamics. Subsidence analysis further corroborates the notion of the early Miocene onset of intra-plate deformation in the central Indian Ocean. Our findings provide a regional perspective on tectonic and sedimentary processes within the CIDZ.