Publication Type:

Book Chapter

Authors:

Pilote, C.; Corcoran, Patricia L.; Mueller, Wulf U.

Source:

An in-depth look into the dynamics of Precambrian volcanic and sedimentary terranes; in memory of Wulf U. Mueller, Elsevier, Amsterdam, International, Volume 214-215, p.172-184 (2012)

ISBN:

0301-9268

Keywords:

Africa, basin analysis, Damara Belt, depositional environment, Gariep Belt, geochemistry, Gondwana, igneous rocks, lithofacies, lithostratigraphy, major elements, metamorphic belts, mineral composition, Namibia, neoproterozoic, paleoenvironment, paleogeography, Precambrian, proterozoic, rift zones, Sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, sedimentation, Sedimentology, Southern Africa, terrestrial environment, textures, Trace elements, upper Precambrian, volcanic rocks

Abstract:

Neoproterozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks compose the 750 m thick Koivib Mountains succession, which forms part of the Rosh Pinah Formation of southwest Namibia. Detailed sedimentary facies analysis and physical volcanology enabled determination of four lithofacies and component twelve facies that record subaqueous deposition in a tectonically controlled shallow sea. The mafic volcanic lithofacies is composed of mafic: (1) flow, (2) volcaniclastic, and (3) intrusive facies characteristic of seamount building by effusive volcanic processes. The felsic volcanic lithofacies containing felsic: (4) flow and (5) volcaniclastic facies displays features characteristic of proximal to distal and marginal regions of subaqueous dome-flow complexes. The siliciclastic lithofacies composed of (6) shale, (7) thin- to medium-bedded sandstone, (8) thick-bedded sandstone, and (9) sedimentary breccia facies is consistent with a submarine fan environment in which subaqueous density current and turbidity flow processes were predominant. The silicilastic-carbonate lithofacies, which contains (10) massive bedded carbonate, (11) laminated to cross-bedded calcarenite, and (12) graded bedded calcarenite, formed mainly through erosion of primary carbonate and transport of material from a platform to a slope setting. The overall stratigraphy, combined with geochemical results indicating bimodal volcanism in a within-plate tectonic setting, signifies that the Koivib Mountains succession developed as part of a continental rift sequence associated with Neoproterozoic break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent. The structural geology of the Koivib Mountains revealed two generations of folds, including (i) NW trending tight, isoclinal folds (F1) and (ii) NNW trending open folds (F2). The second deformation event refolded F (sub 1) folds, producing periclinal structures. The deformation features are consistent with SE transpression associated with the continental collision that occurred during closure of the Adamastor Ocean and formation of Gondwana. Abstract Copyright (2012) Elsevier, B.V.

Notes:

GeoRef, Copyright 2018, American Geological Institute.<br/>2013-064999<br/>Adamastor Ocean<br/>Hilda Subgroup<br/>Koivib Mountains<br/>Port Nolloth Group<br/>Rosh Pinah Formation<br/>southwestern Namibia