A Proterozoic-rift origin for the structure and the evolution of the cratonic Congo basin

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Volumn 304, Issue 1-2, 2011, Pages 240-250

  Kadima Kabongo, Étienne ^a   Ntabwoba, Stanislas Sebagenzi Mwene ^a   Lucazeau, Francis ^b  

^a UNILU   (Congo)

^b INSTITUT DE PHYSIQUE DU GLOBE DE PARIS   (France)

Author keywords

"Cuvette Centrale" of Congo; Continental rifting; Intracratonic basins; Sediment backstripping

Indexed keywords

BEST FIT; CONGO BASINS; CONTINENTAL RIFTING; CRUSTAL THINNING; CUVETTE CENTRALE OF CONGO; ELASTIC THICKNESS; FLEXURAL RESPONSE; GRAVITY ANOMALIES; INTRACRATONIC BASINS; NEO GENES; PROTEROZOIC; RESIDUAL GRAVITY; SEDIMENT LOADS; SURFACE ACCUMULATION; SURFACE GRAVITY; TOMOGRAPHIC; UPPER MANTLE;

OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS; SEDIMENTOLOGY; TECTONICS;

ANOXIC SEDIMENTS;

CRUSTAL THINNING; INTRACRATONIC BASIN; PROTEROZOIC; RIFTING; SUBSIDENCE; TECTONIC EVOLUTION;

CONGO;

EID: 79952625565     PISSN: 0012821X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2011.01.037     Document Type: Article

References (59)

1. Artemieva I.M. Global 1×1 thermal model TC1 for the continental lithosphere: implications for lithosphere secular evolution. Tectonophysics 2006, 416:245-277.
2. Artemieva I.M., Mooney W.D. Thermal thickness and evolution of Precambrian lithosphere: a global study. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 2001, 106(B8):16387-16414.
3. Barr M., Cahen L., Ledent D. Geochronology of syntectonic granites from central Zambia: Lusaka granite and granite NE of Rufunsa. Ann. Soc. Geol. Belg. 1977, 100:47-54.
4. Batumike J., O'Reilly S., Griffin W., Belousova E. U-Pb and Hf-isotope analyses of zircon from the Kundelungu Kimberlites, D.R. Congo: implications for crustal evolution. Precambrian Res. 2007, 156:195-225.
5. Batumike J.M., Griffin W.L., O'Reilly S.Y., Belousova E.A., Pawlitschek M. Crustal evolution in the central Congo-Kasai Craton, Luebo, D.R. Congo: insights from zircon U-Pb ages, Hf-isotope and trace-element data. Precambrian Res. 2009, 170(1-2):107-115.
6. Boudzoumou F., Trompette R. La chaîne panafricaine ouest-congolienne au Congo (Afrique Equatoriale): un socle polycyclique charriÉ sur un domaine subautochtone formÉ par l'aulacogène du Mayombe et le bassin de l'Ouest-Congo. Bull. Soc. Geol. Fr. 1988, 4(6):889-896.
7. Braun J., Beaumont C. A physical explanation of the relation between flank uplifts and the breakup unconformity at rifted continental margins. Geology 1989, 17(8):760-764.
8. ChÉry J., Lucazeau F., Daignières M., Vilotte J.P. Large uplift of rift flanks: a genetic link with lithospheric rigidity?. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 1992, 112:195-211.
9. Cloetingh S., van Wees J., van der Beek P., Spadini G. Role of pre-rift rheology in kinematics of extensional basin formation: constraints from thermomechanical models of Mediterranean and intracratonic basins. Mar. Petrol. Geol. 1995, 12(8):793-807.
10. Corti G., van Wijk J., Cloetingh S., Morley C.K. Tectonic inheritance and continental rift architecture: numerical and analogue models of the east African rift system. Tectonics 2007, 26:TC6006.
11. Coward M. The West Congolian of Gabon and its tectonic significance. Ann. Soc. GÉol. Belg. 1981, 104:215-259.
12. Crosby A.G., Fishwick S., White N. Structure and evolution of the intracratonic Congo basin. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 2010, 11(6):Q06010.
13. Daly M.C., Lawrence S.R., Diemu-Tshiband K., Matouana B. Tectonic evolution of the Cuvette Centrale, Zaire. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 1992, 149(4):539-546.
14. Delvaux D. Karoo rifting in western Tanzania: precursor of Gondwana breakup. Cologne 2001, 111-125.
15. Downey N.J., Gurnis M. Instantaneous dynamics of the cratonic Congo basin. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 2009, 114:B06401.
16. Evrard P. Les recherches gÉophysiques et gÉologiques et les travaux de sondage dans la Cuvette congolaise. Tech. Rep. 1 1957, AcadÉmie Royale des Sciences coloniale, Sc. Tech, Bruxelles.
17. Forte A.M., QuÉrÉ S., Moucha R., Simmons N.A., Grand S.P., Mitrovica J.X., Rowley D.B. Joint seismic-geodynamic-mineral physical modelling of African geodynamics: a reconciliation of deep-mantle convection with surface geophysical constraints. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2010, 295(3-4):329-341.
18. Guiraud R., Maurin J. Early Cretaceous rifts of Western and Central Africa: an overview. Tectonophysics 1992, 213(1-2):153-168. Oct.
19. Hanson R.E., Wilson T.J., Munyanyiwa H. Geologic evolution of the Neoproterozoic Zambezi orogenic belt in Zambia. J. Afr. Earth Sci. 1994, 18(2):135-150.
20. Hartley R.W., Allen P.A. Interior cratonic basins of Africa: relation to continental break-up and role of mantle convection. Basin Res. 1994, 6:95-113.
21. Hartley R., Watts A.B., Fairhead J.D. Isostasy of Africa. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 1996, 137:1-18.
22. Heine C., Müller R.D., Steinberger B., Torsvik T.H. Subsidence in intracontinental basins due to dynamic topography. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors. Recent Advances in Computational Geodynamics: Theory, Numerics and Applications 2008, 252-264. 1-4.
23. Janssen M.E., Stephenson R.A., Cloetingh S. Temporal and spatial correlations between changes in plate motions and the evolution of rifted basins in Africa. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 1995, 107(11):1317-1332.
24. JNOC Geophysical and Geological Surveys of Central Basin in Republic of Zaire. Tech. rep. 1984, Department of Mines and Energy, Government of Zaire.
25. John T., Schenk V., Mezger K., Tembo F. Timing and PT evolution of whiteschist metamorphism in the Lufilian Arc-Zambezi Belt orogen (Zambia): implications for the assembly of Gondwana. J. Geol. 2004, 112(1):71-90.
26. Johnson S.P., De Waele B., Evans D., Banda W., Tembo F., Milton J.A., Tani K. Geochronology of the Zambezi supracrustal sequence, Southern Zambia: a record of Neoproterozoic divergent processes along the southern margin of the Congo Craton. J. Geol. 2007, 115(3):355-374.
27. Kadima K., Delvaux D., Sebagenzi M.N., Talk L., Kabeya M. Structure and geological history of the Congo Basin: an integrated interpretation of gravity, magnetic and reflection seismic data. Basin Research 2011, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2117.2011.00500.x.
28. Key R.M., Liyungu A.K., Njamu F.M., Somwe V., Banda J., Mosley P.N., Armstrong R.A. The western arm of the Lufilian Arc in NW Zambia and its potential for copper mineralization. J. Afr. Earth Sci. 2001, 33(3-4):503-528.
29. Kooi H., Cloetingh S., Burrus J. Lithospheric necking and regional isostasy at extensional basins 1. Subsidence and gravity modelling with an application to the Gulf of Lions Margin (SE France). J. Geophys. Res. 1992, 97(B12):17553-17571.
30. Laske G., Masters G. A global digital map of sediment thickness. EOS Trans. AGU 1997, 78:483.
31. Lawrence S.R., Makazu M.M. Zaire's central basin: prospectivity outlook. Oil Gas J. 1988, 86(38):105-108.
32. Lepersonne J. Carte gÉologique du Zaire au 1 / 2.000.000. Carte dressÉe par les gÉologues du MusÉe royal de l'Afrique centrale et du Bureau de Recherchers gÉologiques et minières sous la direction de J. Lepersonne. RÉp. du Zaïre, Ser. GÉol., Kinshasa, Mus. roy. Afr. Centr., Tervuren 1974.
33. Lepersonne J. Notice explicative de la Carte gÉologique du Zaïre au 1/ 2.000.000. RÉp. du Zaïre, Direction de la GÉologie, Kinshasa, Mus. roy. Afr. centr., Tervuren 1974.
34. Lucazeau F., Brigaud F., Bouroullec J.L. High resolution heat flow density in lower Congo basin from probe measurements, oil exploration data and BSR. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 2004, 5(Q03001):1-24.
35. McKenzie D.P. Some remarks on the development of sedimentary basins. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 1978, 40:25-32.
36. McKenzie D., Fairhead D. Estimates of the effective elastic thickness of the continental lithosphere from Bouguer and free air gravity anomalies. J. Geophys. Res. 1997, 102(B12):27523-27552.
37. Moucha R., Forte A., Rowley D., Braun J., Mitrovica J., Simmons N., Grand S. Reconstructing African topography over the past 30 Myrs with high-resolution tomography-based convection modelling. Eos Trans. AGU 90 (52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract DI32A-02 2009.
38. Mueller S., Bonjer K.-P. Average structure of the crust and upper mantle in East Africa. Tectonophysics 1973, 20(1-4):283-293.
39. Pasyanos M.E., Nyblade A.A. A top to bottom lithospheric study of Africa and Arabia. Tectonophysics 2007, 444:27-44.
40. PÉrez-GussinyÉ M., Metois M., Fernández M., VergÉs J., Fullea J., Lowry A. Effective elastic thickness of Africa and its relationship to other proxies for lithospheric structure and surface tectonics. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2009, 287:152-167.
41. Poidevin J.-L. Stratigraphie isotopique du strontium et datation des formations carbonatÉes et glaciogÉniques nÉoprotÉrozoiques du Nord et de l'Ouest du craton du Congo. Comptes rendus. GÉosciences 2007, 339:259-273.
42. Porada H., Berhorst V. Towards a new understanding of the Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic Lufilian and northern Zambezi Belts in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. J. Afr. Earth Sci. 2000, 30(3):727-771.
43. Priestley K., McKenzie D., Debayle E., Pilidou S. The African upper mantle and its relationship to tectonics and surface geology. Geophys. J. Int. 2008, 175(3):1108-1126.
44. Ritsema J., van Heijst H. New seismic model of the upper mantle beneath Africa. Geology 2000, 28(1):63-68.
45. Sandwell D.T., Smith W.H.F. Marine gravity anomaly from Geosat and ERS 1 satellite altimetry. J. Geophys. Res. 1997, 102:10-39.
46. Schärer U., Corfu F., Demaiffe D. U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes in baddeleyite and zircon megacrysts from the Mbuji-Mayi kimberlite: constraints on the subcontinental mantle. Chem. Geol. 1997, 143(1-2):1-16.
47. Sclater J., Christie P. Continental stretching: an explanation of the post-mid-Cretaceous subsidence of the central North Sea basin. J. Geophys. Res. 1980, 85:3711-3730.
48. Sebagenzi M.N., Vasseur G., Louis P. First heat flow density determinations from Southeastern Zaire (Central Africa). J. Afr. Earth Sci. 1993, 16(4):413-423. TY - JOUR.
49. Steckler M., Watts A. Subsidence of the Atlantic-type continental margin off New York. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 1978, 41(1):1-13.
50. Talwani M., Worzel J., Landisman M. Rapid gravity computations for two-dimensional bodies with application to the Mendocino Submarine Fracture Zone. J. Geophys. Res. 1959, 64:49-61.
51. Thibaut J.-M. Synthèse des travaux de la convention Zaïre-BRGM 1969-1980 tome I: GÉologie et minÉralisation de la rÉgion de l'Équateur. Avec carte gÉologique au 1:500000. Tech. rep., dÉpartement des mines, rÉpublique du Zaïre 1983.
52. Unocal Density and magnetic susceptibility in samples from the Congo basin, Zaire. Tech. rep., Unocal Science and Technology Division 1986.
53. Verbeek T. GÉologie et lithologie du Lindien (PrÉcambrien SupÉrieur du nord de la RÉpublique DÉmocratique du Congo). Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Cent., Tervuren (Belgique), sÉrie in-8, Sci. GÉol. 66 1970, 311.
54. Vicat J.-P., Vellutini P.-J. Sur la Nature et la singnification des dolÉrites du bassin PrÉcambrien de SÉmbe-Ouesso (Republique du Congo). Precambrian Res. 1987, 37:57-69.
55. Vicat J.-P., Gioan P., Albouy Y., Cornacchia M., Giorgi L., Blondin P. Mise en Évidence, sur la bordure ouest du craton du Congo, de fossÉs d'effondrement d'âge ProtÉrozoïque supÉrieur, masquÉs par les formations phanÉrozoïques de la cuvette du Zaïre. Comptes Rendus de l'AcadÉmie des Sciences, sÉrie II A 1989, 309:1207-1213.
56. Watts A., Burov E. Lithospheric strength and its relationship to the elastic and seismogenic layer thickness. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2003, 213(1-2):113-131.
57. Watts A.B., Steward J. Gravity anomalies and segmentation of the continental margin offshore Africa. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 1998, 156:239-252.
58. Weissel J.K., Karner G.D. Flexural uplift of rift flanks due to mechanical unloading of the lithosphere during extension. J. Geophys. Res. 1989, 94:13-919.
59. Xie X., Heller P.L. Plate tectonics and basin subsidence history. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 2009, 121(1-2):55-64.