Outline of the geochronology and tectonic units of the basement complex of northeast Africa

Abstract

Results of new geological mapping with the help of air and satellite photo­graphy in Sudan together with information from adjacent territories has enabled a map to be drawn showing the dominant basement tectonic trends in a previously geologically unknown area. Over 100 age deter­minations, including 25 unpublished analyses, allow the recognition of Eburnian age events in Central Africa Republic and southeast Libya similar to the 1950 million year (Ma) old Ruwenzori Belt in Uganda and similar events in Zaire. A northeast trending fold belt is recognized in Central Africa, western Sudan and southeast Egypt in which 1000 Ma ages are found. The Pan African age Mozambique belt truncates older structures in eastern Uganda and southern Sudan but is covered by a greenschist volcanic assemblage along the Red Sea coast in which 550 ± 150 Ma old granites and regional metamorphism occur.