INDIA IN THREE SUPERCONTINENTS: COLUMBIA, RODINIA AND PANNOTIA

Ian Dalziel was instrumental in formulating the hypothesis of two Neoproterozoic supercontinents (Rodinia and Pannotia). Three key papers were published in the early 1990's that formed the basis for Rodinia (Dalziel, 1991; Moores, 1991; Hoffman, 1991). One of the key concepts in developing Rodinia was the idea of 'piercing points' on formerly adjacent cratons. Dalziel (1991) and Moores (1991) applied the piercing point concept to southwest USA and East Antarctica in their 'SWEAT' model within the larger Rodinia supercontinent. As models of Rodinia evolved, it was apparent that there might have been a short-lived supercontinent (Pannotia) that formed near the end of the Neoproterozoic. The transition from Rodinia to Pannotia necessarily involved the formation of Gondwana. Pannotia models posit that Laurentia was still attached to western Gondwana during the final stages of Gondwana assembly and therefore it is possible that the construction of Gondwana was crucial in the destruction of the ephemeral supercontinent of Pannotia. Ian Dalziel's seminal contributions to Neoproterozoic tectonics is one of the many legacies of his storied career. In this contribution, we review the role that India plays in the formation of 3 different supercontinents (Columbia, Rodinia and Pannotia). We trace the history of India's assembly and position within the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic supercontinent of Columbia (aka Nuna), India's position within Rodinia, the subsequent assembly of Gondwana and the possible geometry of the Pannotia supercontinent.