Depositional history and stratigraphical evolution of the Sakamena group (Middle Karoo Supergroup) in the southern Morondava Basin, Madagascar

Toarcian–Kimmeridgian depositional cycles of the south-western Morondava Basin along the rifted continental margin of Madagascar

“…They comprise the Late Carboniferous -Early Permian Sakoa Group, Middle Permian -Middle Triassic Sakamena Group, and the Late Triassic Isalo Formation (e.g. Hankel 1994; Montenat et al 1996;Wescott andDiggens 1997, 1998;Geiger et al 2004). The entire pre-breakup succession varies from 3,000 to 4,000 m in thickness, although it may reach 11,000 m in thickness in the southern Morondava Basin (Boast and Nairn 1982).…”

Titanite and apatite fission track analyses on basement rocks of central-southern Madagascar: constraints on exhumation and denudation rates along the eastern rift shoulder of the Morondava basin

“…The Sakamena Group, which unconformably overlies the Sakoa Group, comprises Late Permian continental sandstones and conglomerates overlain by Early Triassic marine shales and sandstones. The sandstones formed in response to a renewed episode of uplift (Wescott and Diggens, 1998). The Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic Isalo Group is situated unconformably over the Sakamena Group.…”

Instauration of Geopark Pilot: Preliminary Approach in Implementation Process of Geoconservation at Isalo National Park, Madagascar

“…Isalo National Park is within the southern part of Morondava basin, which is characterized by a semi-arid climate, with small precipitation and a high thermal contrast 15˚C -32˚C. [23] ranging from 5000 to 6000 m thick deposited during Triassic to early Jurassic [24]. Sculpted by wind and water that showed an extraordinary landscapes of monoclinal and tabular beds, dipping gently to the west, these sandstone rocks, cut by deep canyons, very linked with rare endemic plants (see Figure 5) and fauna are sacred to the Bara and Sakalava Tribes [25].…”