Lithostratigraphy of the Floriskraal Formation (Witteberg Group), South Africa

Abstract

The Lower Carboniferous, probably Tournaisian, Floriskraal Formation is part of the Witteberg Group (Cape Supergroup) of South Africa. Together with the underlying Kweekvlei and overlying Waaipoort Formations, it forms part of the Lake Mentz Subgroup. The Floriskraal Formation essentially comprises mud-, silt- and sandstones arranged as two-to-four laterally continuous upward coarsening successions suggested to have been deposited in a storm-wave dominated shallow-marine setting. It contains a low diversity trace fossil assemblage, reworked vascular plant debris, and possibly acanthodian fish fossils. There are no know stratigraphic equivalents in South Africa.