Continental Breakup and the Development of Post-Paleozoic Sedimentary Basins around Southern Africa

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1974 Continental Breakup and the Development of Post-Paleozoic Sedimentary Basins around Southern Africa R. V. DINGLE; R. V. DINGLE 1Department of Geology, Marischal College, Aberdeen, Scotland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. A. SCRUTTON R. A. SCRUTTON 2Grant Institute of Geology, The University, Edinburgh, Scotland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1974) 85 (9): 1467–1474. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1974)85<1467:CBATDO>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation R. V. DINGLE, R. A. SCRUTTON; Continental Breakup and the Development of Post-Paleozoic Sedimentary Basins around Southern Africa. GSA Bulletin 1974;; 85 (9): 1467–1474. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1974)85<1467:CBATDO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Since Paleozoic time, the development of sedimentary basins on the continental margin of southern Africa has been controlled by the structures formed during the breakup of Gondwanaland. In Mozambique, the earliest rift (∼180 m.y. B.P.), between East and West Gondwana, produced a north-south–trending series of large horsts and grabens which were buried beneath detritus from the Limpopo and Zambezi river systems. Oceanward sediment dispersion was controlled by the Mozambique Ridge. This stage of continental breakup coincided with the establishment of marine conditions in the older, epicontinental basins which lay over the present-day Agulhas Bank and off the Transkei and Natal coasts (Outeniqua, St. Johns, and Durban basins).When West Gondwana broke up (125 to 130 m.y. B.P.), a large sediment wedge (Orange Basin) was initiated on the west coast of southern Africa by discharge from the Orange River and associated rivers onto a downfaulted, tensional-formed margin. At the same time, a large transform fault (Agulhas fracture zone) truncated the Outeniqua to Durban Basins as the Falkland Plateau separated from south and east Africa. These movements resulted in the formation of new ocean basins and the enlargement of older adjacent ones.Subsequent major sea-level movements are attributable to epeirogenic/eustatic events which are possibly related to variations in world-wide ocean-ridge spreading rates. Most variations in sediment accumulation rates are related to the distribution of marginal traps rather than differences in detrital discharge rates from the major river systems. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.