TUE OCEAN BASINS ANDMARGINS

Volume 1· The South A tlantic

THE OCEAN BASINS AND MARGINS

Volume 1: The South At1antic • 1973

In preparation:

Volume 2: The North Atlantic

Vo1ume 3: The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean

Volume 4: The Mediterranean

V olume 5: The Arctic Ocean

Volume 6: The Indian Ocean

Volume 7: The Pacific Ocean

TUE OCEAN BASINS AND MARGINS Edited by Alan E. M. Nairn

and Francis G. Stehli Department 0/ Geology

Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio

Volume 1 The South Atlantic

SPRINGER SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 72-83046

ISBN 978-1-4684-3032-5 ISBN 978-1-4684-3030-1 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4684-3030-1

© 1973 Springer Science+Business Media New York Originally published by Plenum Press, New York in 1973

Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1 st edition 1973

AII Rights Reserved

No part of this publicat ion may be reproduced in any form withoUI written permission from the publisher

CONTRIBUTORS TO TIDS VOLUME

G. Amaral Instituto de Geociencias e Astronomia and Centro de Pesquisas Geocronol6gicas da Universidade de Säo Paulo, Brazil

H. E. Asmus Petrobras Exploration Division Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

P. E. Baker Department of Earth Sciences University of Leeds, England

Joao Jose Bigarella Instituto de Biologia e Pesquisas Tecnol6gicas Universidade Federal do Parami and Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

U. G. Cordani Instituto de Geociencias e Astronomia and Centro de Pesquisas Geocronol6gicas da Universidade de Säo Paulo, Brazil

lan W. D. Dalziel Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Department of Geology Columbia University, New York

F. F. M. de Almeida Escola Politecnica Universidade de Säo Paulo, Brazil

Geoffrey O. Dickson Newmont I'roprietary Limited, Australia

David H. Elliot Institute of Polar Studies Department of Geology and Mineralogy The Ohio State University, Columbus

S. Franks Department of Geology Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio

Norman Kennedy Grant Department of Geology Oberlin College, Ohio

Patrick M. Hurley Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts

K. Kawashita Instituto de Geociencias e Astronomia and Centro de Pesquisas Geocronol6gicas da Universidade de Säo Paulo, Brazil

John W.Ladd Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Columbia University Palisades, New York

E. Machens University of Mainz Germany

H. Martin Geologisches und Paläontologisches Institut University of Göttingen, Germany

A. E. M. Nairn Department of Geology Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio

Walter C. Pitman III Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Columbia University Palisades, New York

F. C. Ponte Petrobras Northeastern Produetion Region Araeaju-Sergipe, Brazil

JohnR. Rand Department of Earth and Planetary Scienees Massaehusetts Institute of Teehnology Cambridge, Massaehusetts

Izak C.Rust Department of Geology University of Port Elizabeth Port Elizabeth, South Africa

F. G. Stehli Department of Geology Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio

C. M. Urien Cabot Petroleum (Argentina), Ine, Buenos Aires, Argentina

J. J. Zambrano Direeeion Naeional de Hidroearburos Seeretariat of Energy Buenos Aires, Argentina

PREFACE

Everyone working in a problem as complex as continental drift, must at some time have feit the need for an objective data summary in fields other than his own. It is a scientific dilemma that, aIthough there is evident need for researchers with competence in many fields (the classical natural scientist), the time in­volved in acquiring such broad experience is so great as to ren der the task largely impossible. The alternative seems to be the team approach, and we have espoused it in tbis volume. Editors and contributors alike have tried in this book to keep the accent upon factual information and to reduce interpretation to a minimum. Interpretation there must be, however, since without it science is but an inteHectual pastime comparable to pbilately.

The librarian's need to classify results in the appearance of our names upon the spine oftbis volume, however, we would like to make it clear that the book has been a truly cooperative effort and could not have succeeded but for the active help of the individual contributors, whose assistance seldom was re­stricted to their chapters. Special thanks must be given to our South American coHeagues, for the tolerance with which they viewed out editorial attempts, and to Dr. E. Machens, for his careful review of the translation of his manu­script. We wish also to acknowledge the help of Dr. C. W. Marinho-Campos of Petrobras for bis assistance with the Brazilian contribution and Seiior P. Cabail do Moncado of the Ministerio do Ultramar, Lisbon, for providing us with valuable information used in Chap. 8. We also benefited from sug­gestions made by Drs. I. D. Glass, T. N. Clhford, W. C. Pitman, III, J. W. Ludwig, C. BuH, and Prof. Dr. H. Martin. Thl're are many other individuals, whose names do not appear, but whose advke and suggestions helped us immeasurably, and we take occasion here to tha.lk them and to apologize for being unable to name them aH. We would like also '0 ackowledge the publishers,

vii

viii Preface

Plenum Press, for their cooperation and patience in the processing of manu­scripts for publication. Inevitably the reader will discover shortcomings, and for them we must accept responsibility.

The Association of Africa Geological Surveys is thanked for permission to use Fig. 7 in Chap. 8, and Prof. C. L. Drake and the American Geo­physical Union for permission to use Fig. I in Chap. I.

A. E. M. Nairn F. G. Stehli

CONTENTS

Chapter 1. A Model for the South Atlantic

A. E. M. Nairn and F. G. Stehli

I. Introduction . . . . . II. The Selection of a Model . .

III. The Structure of the Atlantic Basin A. Natural Seismicity. . . . B. Seismic Refraction Work C. Continuous Profiling . D. Gravity E. Heat Flow . . . . . F. Interpretation . . . .

IV. The Opening of the South Atlantic V. Review of Pre-separation Geology

A. Phanerozoic History . B. Precambrian History . C. Conclusions.

References . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 2. Geology of the Amazon and Parnaiba Basins

J. J. Bigarella

I. Introduction . . . . 11. Tectonic Framework

A. Geotectonic Units B. Structural Pattern

ix

2 6 6 6 8 8 9 9

12 15 15 16 18 20

25 30

30 32

x

II I. Stratigraphy . . . . . . . A. Generalities. . . . . . B. History of Development

IV. Amazon Basin . . . . . . A. Silurian Sequence~ Trombetas Formation B. Devonian Sequence . . . . . . . . . . C. Carboniferous Sequence . . . . . . . . D. Permian Sequence~Sucurundi Formation E. Cretaceous Sequence . F. Cenozoic Sequence

V. Parnaiba Basin. . . . . A. Silurian-Devonian Sequence B. Carboniferous Sequence . . C. Permian Sequence . . . . . D. Triassic Sequence~Pastos Bons Formation E. (?) Jurassic Sequence~Sambaiba Formation F. Cretaceous Sequence . G. Cenozoic Sequence

VI. Igneous Rocks . . . . . VII. Sedimentation History and Paleogeography References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 3. The Brazilian Marginal Basins

H. E. Asmus and F. C. Ponte

I. Introduction II. Description of the Basins

A. Recöncavo Basin B. Sergipe-Alagoas Basin C. Espirito Santo Basin D. Jequitinhonha Basin E. Campos Basin F. San tos Basin G. Pelotas Basin H. Barreirinhas Basin . I. Potiguar Basin J. Recife-Joao Pessoa Basin

HI. Origin and Evolution of the Basins A. Tectonism and Structures B. Stratigraphy

Acknowledgments

Contents

37 37 40 43 43 45 49 54 56 57 58 58 63 64 65 67 67 69 69 74 79

87 89 89 95

102 109 111 111 113 115 119 122 125 125 128 130

Contents

Referenees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seleeted Referenees from Petrobras U npublished Reports

xi

130 132

Chapter 4. The Geology of the Basins of the Argentine Continental Margin and Malvinas Plateau

C. M. Urien and J. J. Zambrano

I. lntroduetion . . . . . 11. Topographie Outlines .

III. General Geology of the Basins A. Pre-U pper Jurassie Basement B. Basement Ridge. . . . . . C. Post-Upper Jurassie Sedimentary Filling D. Lower and Middle Cretaeeous Units E. Younger Cretaeeous Sequenees F. Tertiary Units G. Struetural Lineaments

IV. Geologie Development V. Summary and Diseussion

Referenees . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 5. Tbe Seotia Are and Antaretie Margin

lan W. D. Dalziel and David H. Elliot

I. Introduetion . . . 11. The Seotia Are. .

A. Geoteetonie Setting B. Metamorphie Complexes C. Late Paleozoie Sedimentary Sequenees D. Late Mesozoie Sedimentary and Volcanie E. Plutonie Complexes . . . . . . . . . .

Sequenees

135 136 139 140 143 145 152 152 155 158 162 164 166

171 174 174 184 190 198 208

F. Cenozoie Sedimentation and Volcanism . . . . . . 211 G. Evolution of the Seotia Are-Summary and Interpretation 215

IH. The Weddel Sea and East Antaretie Seetor 223 A. Introduetion . . . . . . . . . 223 B. Metamorphie Complexes . . . . . 225 C. Undeformed Preeambrian Strata . 226 D. Preeambrian to Permian Sequenees E. Late Paleozoie-Early Mesozoie Sequenees

Appendix A Appendix B Referenees .

228 231

. jacing 232 233 234

xii Contents

Chapter 6. Tbe Evolution of the Paleozoic Cape Basin, Southern Margin of Africa

Izak C. Rust

I. Introduction 247 II. Evolution of the Cape Basin 248

A. Late Pre-Cape Time. . 248 B. Table Mountain Basin 250 C. Bokkeveld Basin. . . . 260 D. Witteberg Basin. . . . 269 E. Post-Cape Basin Events 271

[H. Discussion on the Relationship Between the Cape Basin and the Atlantic Ocean 274

Acknowledgments 274

References . . . . 275

Chapfer 7. The Atlantic Margin of Southern Africa between Latitude 17° Soutb and tbe Cape of Good Hope

H. Martin

I. Physiography 277

I I. The Larger Structural U nits of the Coastal Belt 279 HI. The Permo-Carboniferous Deposits . . . . . 282

A. The Valleys of the Kaokoveld and the Etosha Basin 282 B. The Permo-Carboniferous Glacial Marine Beds of Southern

South West Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 C. The Paleogeography of the Marine Embayment . 289

IV. The Problem of the Paleozoic Paleogeography of the South AtIantic Region . . . . . . . . 292

V. Mesozoie Basins and Sediments A. The Etjo Beds. . . . . . . B. The Kaoko Lavas . . . . . C. The Cretaceous Exogyra Bed near Bogenfels

VI. Tertiary Basins and Sediments A. Tertiary Marine Deposits B. The "Oyster Line" Beach . C. Conc1usions . . . . . . .

VII. The Shelf of Southern Africa

VIII. Conc1uding Remarks References . . . . . . . . . . . .

294 294 294 295

296 296 297 297

297 298

298

Contents

Chapter 8. The Equatorial Marginal Basins of West Africa

S. Franks and A. E. M. Nairn

I. Introduetion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11. General Geology of the Marginal Basins

A. The Inner Congo Basin . . . . . . B. The Lithology of the Coastal Basins C. The Flora and Fauna of the Coastal Basins .

111. Geology of the Marginal Basins . A. The Gabon Basin . . . . . . B. The Bas Congo-Cabinda Basin C. The Cuanza Basin D. The Mossamedes Basin

IV. Summary of the Geologie History of the Basins. Referenees . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 9. The Geology History of the Marginal Basins Along the North Shore of the Gulf of Guinea

E. Maehens

I. General Geology . . . . . . 11. The Stratigraphie Sueeession .

A. Paleozoie Series . . . . . B. Mesozoie Continental Sequenees C. A1bian ....... . D. Cenomanian ..... . E. Turonian-Maestriehtian F. Paleoeene and Eoeene . G. Mioeene, Plioeene, and Quaternary

111. The Struetural Development of the Basins A. Paleozoie . . . . . . . . . B. Early and Middle Mesozoie C. Albian-Maestriehtian D. Paleoeene-Oligoeene . . . . E. Mioeene-Quaternary. . . .

IV. The Origin of the Basins and the Continental Margin A. Epeirogenie Basins Along the Northern Margin of the

Upper Guinea Areh. . . . . . .. . ... B. The Continental Marginal Flexure in the Western Part of

xüi

301 304 305 306 310 313 313 325 333 341 345 346

351 352 352 355 358 360 362 366 369 370 370 372 373 376 376 377

377

the Upper Guinea Coast. . . . . . . . . . . . 377 C. Tear FauIting in the Region of the Upper Guinea Coast 378 D. The Nigerian Marginal Basin and the Benue Graben . 380

xiv Contents

E. The D~velopment of the Niger Delta F. The Cameroons VoIcanie Line

Referenees . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 10. Outline of Precambrian Chronology in Lands Bordering the South Atlantic, Exclusive of Brazil

P. M. Hurley and J. R. Rand

I. Introduetion . 11. Guiana Shield

II I. Afriea . . . . A. West Afriean Shield B. Eastern Senegal . . C. The Pan-Afriean Orogenie Region in Nigeria D. Cameroon and Gabon. . . . . . . E. Angola, Southwest Afriea, and South Afriea .

IV. Reeonstruetion of the Guiana-West Afriean Shield Referenees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 11. The Precambrian Evolution of the South American Cratonic Margin South of the Amazon River

F. F. M. de Almeida, G. Amaral, U. G. Cordani, and K. Kawashita

I. Introduetion . . II. Geoteetonie Outline of the Brazilian Platform .

I H. The Preeambrian Evolution of the Coastal Area A. Northern Brazil . . B. Northeastern Brazil C. Eastern Brazil D. Southeastern Brazil E. Rio Grande do Sul State, Uruguay, and Argentina

IV. Conclusions Aeknowledgments Referenees . . . .

Chapter 12. Orogeny and Reactivation of the West and Southeast of the West African Craton

N. K. Grant

I. Introduetion II. Mauritanides

382 385 387

391 392 396 396 398 399 400 402 404 406

411 415 417 417 420 425 427 435 440 443 443

447 451

Contents xv

A. Introduction 451 B. Sierra Leone 455 C. Senegal. . . 459 D. Western Mauritania, from Bakel to Mejeria 461 E. Western Mauritania, the Akjoujt Region . 466

III. The Pan-African Thermotectonic Event to the Southeast of the West African Craton, from Ghana to Nigeria . . . . . . 468 A. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468 B. The VoItaian Group, and Buem and Togo Formations 470 C. The Dahomeyan and the Nigerian Basement Complex 472 D. Conclusions . . . . . . 481

IV. On the Nature of Orogeny 481 References . . . . . . . . . . 485

Chapter 13. IsIands of tbe South Atlantic

P. E. Baker

I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11. The Island Groups . . . . . . . . . . ..

A. Group I. Mildly Alkaline to Transitional B. Group 2. Moderately Alkaline . . . . . C. Group 3. Strongly Alkaline . . . . . . D. Group 4. NonvoJcanic: St. Paul's Rocks

IH. Synthesis of Problems and Interpretation A. Xenoliths. . . B. Isotope Studies C. Differentiation D. The Daly Gap

IV. Conclusions . Acknowledgments References . . . .

Chapter 14. Tbe Age of the Soutb Atlantic

J. W. Ladd, G. O. Dickson, and W. C. Pitman, III

I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11. The Magnetic Pattern in the South AtIantic

A. Data Reduction. . . . . . . . . . . B. Identification and Correlation of the Anomalies C. The Age of the Floor of the South Atlantic Ocean

493 497 497 505 521 534 536 536 539 543 544 546 549 549

555 557 557 558 562

xvi

IH. Evolution of the South Atlantic A. Sea-Floor Spreading B. Mantle Hot Spots .

Acknowledgments References

Index ...

Contents

566 566 569 571 571

575