Controls of sedimentation in the Malawi rift valley, Central Africa

Crossley, R.

doi:10.1016/0037-0738(84)90038-1

Cited by 99 publications

(43 citation statements)

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“…Crossley 1984;Gawthorpe and Leeder 2000;Lambiase and Bosworth 1995;Morley et al 1990). Thus, a tectonic scenario of the spatio-temporal arrangement of the depositional environments can be derived from the sedimentary succession analysed in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…If such an interpretation approach is chosen, the first phase would correspond to an initial sagbasin stage which can occur prior to the general initial faulting (Lambiase and Bosworth 1995). During the initial rift stage sensu stricto, distributed faulting occurred along minor normal faults and transfer faults, establishing small and shallow half-graben basins (Crossley 1984). This is indicated by thin lacustrine beds and accommodationcontrolled conditions which established in shallow topographic lows between the fault blocks (phase 2).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Middle Miocene to Pleistocene sedimentary record of rift evolution in the southern Albert Rift (Uganda)

Roller

Hornung

Hinderer

et al. 2010

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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This study presents an almost complete Middle Miocene to Pleistocene sequence of synrift sediments in the western branch of the East African Rift. The studied succession is exposed in several patches on an eastward tilted block between the northern tip of the Rwenzori Block and the eastern shoulder of the Albert Rift. In this position, it reaches a maximum thickness of 600 m of which 350 m have been logged systematically by analysing lithofacies and sediment architecture. Stratigraphic subdivision of the succession relies on published biostratigraphic data of endemic mollusc associations and their correlation across East Africa. The synrift sediments encountered are siliciclastics ranging from clay to coarse gravel with gypsum and ferrugineous interlayers or impregnations. Lithofacies and architectural analysis indicate alluvial plain, delta plain, nearshore, delta front, or lacustrine depositional environments. Based on the vertical stacking pattern, prograding and retrograding trends of the depositional environments, and climatic indicators (e.g. conservation of feldspar, gypsum, and/or iron hydroxide precipitation), four evolutionary phases can be distinguished: (i) a first phase between ca. 14.5 and 10.0 Ma is characterised by bedload-dominated fluvial environment with massive sandy to gravelly bedforms, feldspar-rich sands, rare iron impregnations and relatively low accommodation space. This phase is interpreted as pre-and early synrift sedimentation under a semiarid climate. (ii) From ca. 10.0 to 4.5 Ma predominantly fine-grained siliciclastics were deposited in a distal fluvial plain to lacustrine setting characterised by limited accommodation space. Fluctuation of thin beds, dominance of clay and frequent iron impregnations point to a more humid climate with seasonality and weak tectonic activity. (iii) During the third phase between 4.5 and 2.0 Ma delta plain and nearshore deposits with frequent ferrugineous impregnations and rich mollusc associations occurred, indicating a humid period with lake-level highstands and accelerated subsidence. (iv) During the final sedimentary interval between 2.0 and 1.5 Ma gravel units reoccurred with less iron-but more carbonate and gypsum impregnations, and arkosic sandstones. This phase recorded a general aridisation trend most probably caused by the upcoming rain barrier of the Rwenzori Mountains together with accelerated rift-flank uplift and strong subsidence of the rift floor. The results of this study are of particular importance for delineating key controls on sedimentation in the Albert Rift.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Middle Miocene to Pleistocene sedimentary record of rift evolution in the southern Albert Rift (Uganda)

Roller

Hornung

Hinderer

et al. 2010

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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“…The sedimentation patterns in the EAR system are controlled by structures, with strong influence of climatic environments and occurrence of great lakes (Crossley, 1984;Le Fournier et al, 1985;Tiercelin et al, 1992a,b;Frostick and Reid, 1990;Lambiase and Bosworth, 1995). In the vicinity of the graben basins, preexisting structures and recent faults focus drainage and input place of sediments, while regional uplift of rift shoulders induces high energy erosion, but part of the drainage is deflected away from rift.…”

Section: Tectonics and Sedimentationmentioning

confidence: 97%

The East African rift system

Chorowicz

2005

Journal of African Earth Sciences

732

472

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“…15) because numerous fault offsets and transfer zones in the footwall may have caused a larger than average alluvial fan system (cf. Crossley, 1984;Leeder and Gawthorpe, 1987;Gawthorpe et al, 1990).…”

Section: Tectono Sedimentary Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 92%