Abstract
Lake Malawi floods most of its rift valley floor and the interaction of tectonic setting and climate-induced lake level change have controlled the formation and distribution of its bottom deposits. Studies of some 150 short cores show that diatomites occur in shallow rift setting with small catchment areas and that homogeneous diatomaceous muds occur in oxygenated, and consequently bioturbated, areas with high clastic inputs from adjacent major catchments. Varve-like pelagic units are found in deep basin anoxic settings, particularly in regions where climate is markedly seasonal. Turbidite sands are closely associated with major boundary faults. Broad sandy sheets are found on horst blocks and ramp structures, as well as in littoral zones, which bring the lake floor within the influence of wave-induced bottom currents. Pisolitic nontronite sands show a close relationship with the slopes of horst blocks in waters 100 to 160 m deep.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callMore From: Journal of African Earth Sciences (and the Middle East)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
