Stratigraphy and structural evolution of the southern Musoma Mara greenstone belt in the Suguti area, Northern Tanzania

John, George

Stratigraphy and structural evolution of the southern Musoma Mara greenstone belt in the Suguti area, Northern Tanzania

Date

2008

Authors

John, George

Publisher

University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

This study presents the lithostratigraphy and structural characteristics of the southern Musorna-Mara Greenstone Belt in an area of about 726 km2 around Suguti in northern Tanzania based on satellite imagery, aerial photography and airborne geophysical investigations supplemented by detailed field work and petrographic investigations. The area consists of supracrustal rocks of the upper Nyanzian Supergroup, which have been intruded by granitic rocks which have been metamorphosed into the greenschist facies. High-resolution satellite imagery data and airborne magnetic data show a dominant NW-SE macro-structural pattern which cross cut earlier E-W lineaments resulting in open symmetrical folds. A regional dextral sense of deformation is inferred from deformation patterns in xenoliths, megaphenocrysts and C-C' relationships in shear zones. Apart from the shear zones, sub-vertical thrusts in cherts also cause folds and repetition of strata The sub-vertical shear planes indicate curvilinear listric thrusts with drag folds and listric back-thrusts. Likewise, ridges display distinct listric type of thrust patterns dipping NNW forming duplex thrust piles indicative of SSE thrust tectonics. The local stratigraphic sequence in the area is, from older to younger as follows; basic metavolcanics (greenschists), acidic (felsic) metavolcanics and the upper metasedimentary group.

Description

Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QE651.J63)

Keywords

Geology, structural, Southern Musoma Mara Greenstone Belt, Suguti area, Tanzania, North Eastern

Citation

John, G. (2008) Stratigraphy and structural evolution of the southern Musoma Mara greenstone belt in the Suguti area, Northern Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.