Studies on Zircons from the Central Gneisses of the Dhauladhar Range, North of Dharmsala

Zircons from the Central Gneisses of the Dhauladhar range, north of Dharmsala have been separated and studied to establish the stability of zircons during metamorphism and migmatization of the sediments; field and petrological studies indicate that the rocks have formed by migmatization of the metasediments. Crystal habit, colour, clouding, corrosion, overgrowth and outgrowth, length and breadth, elongation ratio and the (reduced major axis of zircons separated from several rock types have been studied in detail. The number of euhedral zircons increases during the migmatization apparently due to the recrystallization of the zircons. The zircon data corroborates with the structural and petrographic observations. The zircon study is useful as a criterion in deciphering the petrogenesis of the granitic rocks.