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Structural and kinematic analysis of the Nkondjock shear zone, central Cameroon: implications on the geodynamic evolution of the Central African Fold Belt

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Abstract

Detailed petrographic and structural investigations were undertaken in the Nkondjock area to document the tectonic evolution of this portion of the Central African Fold Belt (CAFB) and unravel the geodynamic model of the whole CAFB. The Nkondjock area, which corresponds to the SW extension of the TBSZ trending NNE-SSW and the CCSZ, is made up of a syn-tectonic plutonic complex (two mica granites and granodiorites) that intruded migmatites, gneisses, and amphibolites. Structural analysis reveals four main stages of deformation (D1–D4): The D1 phase is a relict phase characterized by the S1 foliation with the general orientation of N-S to NNE-SSW and a shallow to medium dip toward the NW or SE; sinistral and dextral shear zones developed during the D2 and D3 deformation phase, respectively. The D4 phase is represented by the fractures and NE-SW to NW–SE kilometer-scale faults. The microstructural analysis reveals a continuous deformation from the magmatic to the solid state. The geodynamic evolution of the CAFB in the Nkondjock area comprises (i) a relict N-S to NNE-SSW D1 phase probably established during the convergence of the Saharan metacraton and the northern edge of Congo Craton, (ii) sinistral syn-D2 shear initiated by N-S trending stress and probably evolved and reoriented toward NNE-SSW to NE-SW between ca. 624–600 Ma, and (iii) D3 dextral tectonics overprinting the D2 sinistral structures between ca. 564 and 558 Ma (Ngako et al., Gondwana Res 14:509–522, 2008; Kamguia Kamani et al., Precambrian Res 353:106015, 2021). The correlation of the studied shear zone with well-documented Patos and Pernambuco faults (NE Brazil) suggests that the Nkondjock shear zone (NSZ) forms part of the Pan-African shear zone system extending from central Africa to NE Brazil.

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The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. We are grateful to Keumatio Kotia Alexis Cyrille and Achu Megnemo Ludovic for their kind assistance during fieldwork. The data presented here form part of the first author’s PhD thesis. We thank three anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and associate editor Wilfried Bauer for their suggestions as well as efficient handling of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon

    Rodolph Loïque Azefack Mbounou, Timoleon Ngnotue, Evine Laure Tanko Njiosseu, Ghislain Ngassam Mbianya & Patrick Ayonta Kenne

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Sylvestre Ganno & Donald Hermann Fossi

  3. Institute for Geological and Mining Research, P.O. Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Donald Hermann Fossi

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  1. Rodolph Loïque Azefack Mbounou
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Azefack Mbounou, R.L., Ganno, S., Ngnotue, T. et al. Structural and kinematic analysis of the Nkondjock shear zone, central Cameroon: implications on the geodynamic evolution of the Central African Fold Belt. Arab J Geosci 16, 240 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11336-x

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