Abstract
Extensive late Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequences with associated ophiolite complexes make up the Arabian-Nubian Shield, and have been widely interpreted as oceanic island-arcs with suture zones. Widespread granitic to diorite batholithic masses and younger syn-orogenic to late orogenic calc-alkaline igneous complexes disrupt the layered sequences. The western margin of the suite is a thrust faulted meridional zone which can be folllowed for over 2000 km despite dislocation by shear zones and granitoid intrusions. A narrow band of meta-sedimentary strata occurs along the western contact, and may represent a sedimentary prism overlying amphibolite grade gneisses and schists of the remobilized early Proterozoic continental foreland in which isolated areas of granulite grade gneisses are present. In southern Ethiopia and north Kenya, Mozambique Belt gneisses, containing only narrow remnants of the ophiolite-volcanic sequence, occur east and south of the volcano-sedimentary greenschist assemblages, thus forming a ‘Y’-shaped contact of two heterogeneous continental masses with a wedge of oceanic island-arc material between.
Published Version
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