Abstract
The late Palaeozoic coal-bearing Madzaringwe Formation of the Karoo Supergroup in the Tshipise-Pafuri Basin in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, records part of the infill of a passive continental margin terrain. Lithofacies analysis was performed with a view to deduce the nature of depositional environments of the Formation. Sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic evidence indicates that this unit represents a complex siliciclastic facies that reflects a fluvial paleodepositional environment. Eleven facies, which were grouped into five facies associations, were recognised. The base of the Madzaringwe Formation (Lower Member) represents a sequence deposited by braided channels. The coal deposits represent flood plain and swamp deposits, which is characterised by shale, thick coal seams, siltstone, and sandstone. The Middle Member is characterised by both clast and matrix supported conglomerates, major tubular and lenticular sandstones, and finely calcareous, micaceous siltstone. The deposition represents a sequence being formed from fluvial and particularly braided channels. The crudely stratified, coarse to pebbly sandstone indicates channel lag deposits within a heavy loaded fluvial system. The fine-grained sandstone represents deposition by shift channel and side bar deposits during lower flow conditions. The Upper Member is characterised by facies associations similar to the Lower Member, representing a new depositional cyclothem.
Highlights
The Madzaringwe Formation is a coal-bearing sequence of the late Palaeozoic Karoo Supergroup in the Tshipise-Pafuri Basin in the Limpopo Province, South Africa (Figure 1)
The purpose of this study is to describe and interpret the facies and depositional environments of the poorly understood Madzaringwe Formation
Detailed facies and facies architectural analysis of Madzaringwe Formation was performed for the first time, enhancing the understanding of the depositional history, paleogeography, and controlling factors on the deposition of this thick, coal rich sequence
Summary
The Madzaringwe Formation is a coal-bearing sequence of the late Palaeozoic Karoo Supergroup in the Tshipise-Pafuri Basin in the Limpopo Province, South Africa (Figure 1). The Madzaringwe Formation represents one of the coal-bearing late Palaeozoic units of the Karoo Supergroup, no detailed facies analysis has been presented yet and only a few papers have dealt with paleoenvironmental aspects [1,2,3,4]. This study provides the first relatively detailed sedimentological analysis of the unit and is based on the integration of sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic data to refine depositional models, which are usually constructed only on the basis of all sedimentological evidence. This work adds to the growing body of knowledge concerning alluvial
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
