Abstract

New petrological and geochronological data on the Comores archipelago are presented. The K-Ar ages measured on subaerial volcanics range from 8 Ma in Mayotte Island to 0 in Grande Comore but the migration of the volcanic activity in the archipelago does not appear clearly. For each island the beginning of the volcanism remains unknown. The widespread volcanism of the western Indian Ocean is briefly reviewed and replaced in the geophysical framework of this region. The classical Seychelles-northern Madagascar-Mayotte-Grande Comore hot spot hypothesis is questioned. A more or less synchronous alkaline magmatism along old lithospheric fractures (from Madagascar continent toward Comores oceanic islands), periodically reactivated during Tertiary times, could be an alternative interpretation.

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

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.