Week 5: The Geology of South Africa

Question 1

Know the name; how it formed; major rock type; age and geological position.

Question 2

Name: Kaapval Craton
(Stable continental lithosphere.)

Answer 2

Formation: The accretion of island arcs and continental fragments.
Rock type: Granite
Age/position: 4600 My

Question 3

Name: Greenstone belts.

Answer 3

Formation: Oceanic spreading centres and island arcs.
Rock type: Greenstone. Metamorphosed igneous rocks. [Basalt]
Age/position: 3500 - 3000 My.

Question 4

Name: Nsuzi group.

Answer 4

Formation: Rifting of the craton.
Rock type: Volcanic & Sedimentary rocks.
Age/position: 3000 My.

Question 5

Name: Pongola Supergroup.

Answer 5

Formation: Deposition.
Rock type: Volcanic & Sedimentary rocks.
Age/position: 3100 - 3000 My.

Question 6

Name: The Witwatersrand Supergroup.

Answer 6

Formation: Deposition.
Rock type: Sediment rocks.
Age/position: 3100 - 2900 My.

Question 7

Name: The Ventersdorp Supergroup.

Answer 7

Formation: Magma flowed from huge ruptures in the craton.
Rock type: Andesitic lavas.
Age/position: 2700 - 2500 My.

Question 8

Name: The Transvaal Supergroup.

Answer 8

Formation: Deposition.
Rock type: Sedimentary rocks.
Age/position: 2500 - 2200 My.

Question 9

Name: The Bushveld Complex.

Answer 9

Formation: Magma intrusion.
Rock type: Rhyolites, basaltic rocks and granites.
Age/position: 2060 - 2050 My.

Question 10

Name: Vredefort dome. (Asteroid collision!)

Answer 10

Formation: A huge ass asteroid!
Rock type: Erosion exposed the rocks below.
Age/position: 2023 My.

Question 11

Name: Olifantshoek, Waterberg and Soutpansberg Supergroups.

Answer 11

Formation: Deposits.
Rock type: Sediment alluvial rocks.
Age/position: 1900 - 1100 My.

Question 12

Name: The Gariep, Malmesbury, Kango and Kraaimans group.

Answer 12

Formation:
Rock type: Igneous and sediment rocks.
Age/position: 700 - 600 My.

Question 13

Name: Cape Granite Suite.

Answer 13

Formation: Magma intrusions.
Rock type: Granite.
Age/position: 600 - 500 My.

Question 14

Name: Cape Supergroup and Natal Supergroup.

Answer 14

Formation: Deposition.
Rock type: Sedimentary rocks.
Age/position: 500 - 395 My.

Question 15

Name: Karoo Supergroup.

Answer 15

Formation: Deposition.
Rock type: Sediment rocks.
Age/position: 300 - 180 My.

Question 16

Name: Kalahari Supergroup.

Answer 16

Formation: Deposition.
Rock type: Sediments.
Age/position: 180 My until today.