Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A review of Karoo vulcanicity in Southern Africa

  • Published:
Bulletin Volcanologique Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Vocanic rocks of Karoo age which today cover more than 140,000 km2 of the southern African sub-continent occur as scattered outliers representing eroded remnants of an originally more extensive volcanic province. The rocks are best preserved in central southern Africa including Lesotho, and the continental margin areas of Namibia in the west and Mozambique. Zambabwe, Swaziland and South Africa in the east. Extensive lava fields (yet few volcanoes) dykes, sills, layered intrusions and at least two major dyke swarms characterise the region. Volcano-stratigraphic and geochemical mapping have been used to subdivide the volcanic successions found in the different areas and recently adopted nomenclature is presented. Considerable more variability and complexity occurs in the volcanic succession than was previously recognised: geochemical variations and stratigraphic relationships indicating that four major provinces can be recognised. Rocks from the central Karoo areas are primarily of basaltic composition whereas those from the western and eastern marginal areas include mafic basic, intermediate and acid types. Emplacement of rocks such as carbonatites, nephelinites, and picrite basalts enriched in incompatible elements, indicate that derivation from a heterogeneously enriched source played a significant role in the petrogenesis of a large proportion of the Karoo mafic and basic rocks. Age relationships of the volcanic rocks reveal that vulcanicity extended over a period of 130 m.y. from mid-Triassic to early Cretaceous time.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allsopp, H. L., Bristow, J.W., Manton, W.I. andCleverly, R.W., 1981,Rb-Sr Geochronology of the Lebombo Volcanics. Geokong.,81, Geol. Soc. S. Afr., p. 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, R.A., 1978,A Geological and Geochemical Appraisal of the Rooi Rand Dyke Swarm, Lebombo, M. Sc. thesis (unpubl.) Univ. Natal, 135 pp.

  • Assuncao, A. F. T. de,Pinto Coelho, A. V. T. andTaveres Rocha, A., 1962,Petrologia das lavas dos Libombos (Mozambique). Estud. Ens. e Doc (Lisboa),99, 74 pp.

  • Betton, P. J. andCon, K. G., 1979,Production of Rhyolites at Continental Margins — An Example from the Lebombo Monocline. Geokong.,79, Prog. w. Abstr., Geol. Soc. S. Afr., p. 29–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Botha, B.J.V. andHodgson, F.D., 1976,Karoo Dolerites in Northwestern Damaraland. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Adr.,79, p. 186–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andTheron, J. C., 1967,New Evidence for the Early Commencement of Stormberg Volcanism. Tydskr. Natuurwetenskappe,7, p. 469–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, D. J., 1979,The Chishanya Carbonatite Complex. Geokong.,79, Abstr. 18th Geol. cong. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., p. 50–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bristow, J. W., 1976,The Geology and Geochemistry of the Southern Lebombo. M. Sc. thesis (unpubl.), Univ. Natal.

  • -----, 1980,The Geochronology and Geochemistry of Karro Volcanics in the Lebombo and Adjacent Areas. Ph.D. thesis (unpubl.), Univ. Cape Town.

  • -----, 1982,Geochemistry and Petrogenesus of Lebombo Picrite Basalts (Southern Africa) and the Role of Mantle Metasomatism. G.S.A. Abstr. W. Prog., p. 452.

  • -----, 1983,The Geology and Structure of Karoo sedimentary and Volcanic Rocks in the Northern and Central Lebombo. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., in press.

  • Bristow, J.W., Allsopp, H.L., Marsh, J.S. andErlank, A. J., 1981,Regional Sr-isotope Studies of Karoo Igneous Rocks. Geokong.,81, Prog.w. Abstr., Geol. Soc. S. Afr., p. 30–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • -----,Armstrong, R. A. andAllsopp, H. L., 1983,The Geology and Geochronology of the Tsange Gabbros. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., in press.

  • ----- andCleverly, R. W., 1983,A Note on the Volcanic Stratigraphy and Intrusive Rocks of the Lebombo Monocline and Adjacent Areas. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., in press.

  • -----,Duncan, R.A., Cox, K.G. andErlank, A.J., 1982,Geochemistry and Setting of Lebombo Basaltic Rocks, Southern Africa. IAVCEI-IAGC Sci. Assemb., Prog.w. Abstr., Reykjavik, Iceland.

  • Bruynzeel, D., 1957,A Petrographic Study of the Waterfall Gorge Profile at Insizwa. Annals Univ. Stellenbosch,33, p. 484–535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger, A. J. andCoertze, F. J., 1973,Radiometric Age Measurements on Rocks from Southern Africa to the End of 1971. Bull. Geol. Surv. S. Afri.,58, 46 pp.

  • Clarke, D. B. andO’Hara, M.J., 1979,Nickel and Existence of Hihg-MgO Liquids in Nature. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.,44, p. 153–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cleverley, R. W., 1977,The Structural and Magmatic Evolution of the Lebombo Monocline, Southern Africa, with Particular Reference to Swaziland. D. PHIL. Thesis (unpubl.), Univ. Oxford.

  • ————— andBristow, J. W., 1979,Revised Volcanic Stratigraphy of the Lebombo Monocline. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,82 (27, p. 227–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, T. N., 1970,The Structural Framework of Africa. In:Clifford, T.N. andGass, I. G. (eds.),African Magmatism and Tectonism, p. 237–262. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, K. G., 1970,Tectonics and Vulcanism of the Karroo Period and Their Bearing on the Postulated fragmentation of Gondwanaland. In:Clifford, T.N. andGass, I.G. (eds.),African Magmatism and Tectonism. p. 237–262. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————, 1980,A Model for Flood Basalt Volcanism. J. Petrol.,21, p. 629–650.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andJamieson, B. G., 1974,The Olivine-rich Lavas of Nuanetsi: a Study of Polybaric Magmatic Evolution. J. Petrol.,15, p. 269–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————,Johnson, R.L. Monkman, L.J., Stillman, C. J., Vail, J.R. andWood, D.N., 1965,The Geology of the Nuanetsi Igneous Province. Phil. Trans. R. Soc.,A 257, p. 71–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, K. G., MacDonald, R. andNornung, G., 1967,Geochemical and Petrographic Provinces in the Karroo Basalts of Southern Africa. Am. Mineral.,52, p. 1451–1474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darracott, B.W. andKleywegt, R.J., 1974,The Structure of the Southern Portion of the Lebombo Volcanic Belt Deduced from Gravity Data. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,77, p. 301–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drysdall, A. R. andWeller, R. K., 1966,Karoo Sedimentation in Northern Rhodesia. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,69, p. 39–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, A. R., Bristow, J. W., Taylor, S. R. Cox, K. G., Hawkesworth, C. J. andErlank, A. J., 1982,Petrogenesis of Pricrite Basalts from the Northern Lebombo Nuanetsi and Tuli Areas of the Karoo Igneous Province. IAVCEI-IAGC Sci. Assemb., Prog. W. Abstr., Reykjavik, Iceland.

  • ————— andErlank, A. J., 1979,Regional Geochemistry of the Karoo Volcanics. Geokong.,79, Abstr. 18th Cong. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., p. 128–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • -----, -----,Bristow, J. W., Brauteseth, M., 1983,Karoo Database Campilation. Dept. of Geochemistry, University of Cape Town.

  • Du Toit, A. L., 1904,Geological Survey of the Divisions of Aliwal North, Herschel, Barkly East and Parts of Wodehouse. Ninth Ann. Rep. Cape Geological Commission, p. 71–181.

  • Du Toit, A. L., 1954,The Geology of South Africa, 3rd Edn., Oliver & Boyd, London, 611 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales, H. V. andBooth, P.W.K., 1974,The Birds River Gabbro Complex, Dordrecht District. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afri.,77, p. 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andMarsh, J. S. M., 1979,High-Mg Rocks and Their Significance in the Karroo Central Province. S. Afr. J. Sci.,75, p. 400–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • ----- and ----- (in press),The Nature and Extent of Mesozoic Volcanism in Southern Africa.

  • Elliott, D. H. andWatts, D. R., 1974,The Nature and Origin of Volcaniclastic Material in Some Karroo and Beacon Rocks. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,77, p. 109–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erlank, A. J., Allsopp, H. L., Duncan, A. R. andBristow, J. W., 1980,Mantle Heterogeneity beneath Southern Africa: Evidence from the Volcanic Record. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond.,297, p. 295–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————,Duncan, A. R., Marsh, J. S., Betton, P. J. andMiller, R. M. G., 1981,Petrogenesis of Etendeka Magma from SWA/Namibia and the Nature of their Source Areas. Geokong.,81, Geol. Soc. S. Afr. Abstr., p. 73–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller, A. O. andMoir, GJ., 1967,Analcite in the Upper Karroo Sediments. Herschel District, South Africa. J. Sediment. Petrol.,37, p. 1236–1237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geological Map of Southern Africa.Geological Survey of the Republic of South Africa. Revised version in preparation.

  • Geological Map of Southern Africa/Namibia, 1980,Geological Survey of the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa/Namibia.

  • Gouch, D.I. Brock, A., Jones, D.L. andOodyne, N.D., 1964,The Palaeomagnetism of the Ring Complexes of the Marangudzi and Mateke Hills. J. Geophys. Res.,69, p. 2499–2514.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, D., 1966,The Karroo System in Bechuanaland. Bull. Geol. Surv. Bechuanaland,2, 74 pp.

  • Haughton, S.H., 1969,Geological History of Southern Africa. Geol. Soc. of S. Afr., Cape Town, 535 pp.

  • Hodgson, F.D.L., 1970,The Geology of the Karroo System in the southern Kaokoveld, South West Africa. Proc. Pap. 2nd Gondwana Symp., Cape Town., p. 233–240.

  • Hutchins, D.G. andReeves, C.V., 1980,Reegional Geophysical Exploration of the Kalahari in Botswana. Tectonophysics,69, p. 201–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen, J.B.E. andMcCarthy, T.S., 1975,Possible Late Karroo Carbonatite and Basalt Instructions at Messina. Transvaal. Trans. Geol. Soc. A. Afr.,78, p. 153–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andSevenster, W.J., 1975,K-Ar Ages of Some Mafie Dykes from the Messina District, Transvaal. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,78, p. 359–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamieson, B.G., 1969,The Petrology of Olivine-rich Basaltic Rocks. Nuanetsi. Rhodesia. Ph.D. thesis (unpubl.) Univ. Edinburgh.

  • Jaritz, W., Kreuzzer, H., Muller, P. andHarre, W., 1977,Die vulkanitserien im Kustengebiet van Nordmocombique. Geol. Jb.,26, p. 147–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R.L., 1961.The Geology of the Dorowa and Shawa Carbonatite Complexes. Southern Rhodesta. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Ari.,64, p. 101–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————, 1966,The Shawa and Dorowa Carbonatite Complexes, Rhodesia, p. 205–224. In:Tuttle, O.F. andGitttens, J. (eds.),Carbonatites, John Wiley & Sons, London, 591 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Maitre, R.W., 1976,The Chemical Variability of some Common Igneous Rocks. J. Petrol.,17 (4), p. 589–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Roex, A. P., 1976,A Geochemical Study of Selected Dolerites from the Calvinia District. Geochem. Hons. Proj. (unupl.) Univ. Cape Town.

  • Lock, B.E. andJohnson, M.R., 1974,A Crystal Tuff from the Ecca Group near Lake Mentz, Eastern Cape Province. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,77, p. 373–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andBroderick, T.J., 1974,Stratigraphy of the Karroo Volcanic Rocks of the Barkly East District. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,77, p. 117–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andWilson, J.D., 1975,Discussion of «The Nature and Origin of Volcaniclastic Materials in Some Karroo and Beacon Rocks» by Elliot. D.H. and Watts, D.R. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,78, p. 171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Logan, C.T., 1979,Aspects of Karoo Vulcanicity in the Komatipoort Area, Lebomba, Ph.D. thesis (unpubl.), univ. Natal. 328 pp.

  • Manton, W.L., 1968,The Origin of Associated Basie and Acid Rocks in the Labombo-Nuanetsi Igneous Province, Southern Africa, as Implied by Strontium Isotopes. J. Petrol.,9, p. 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manton, W.T. andSiedner, G., 1967,Age of Paresis Complex. South West Africa. Nature,216, p. 1197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, J.S., Erlank, A.J., Miller, R. Mc. G., Duncan, A.R. andRex, D.C., 1981,The Etendeka Lavas SWA/Namibia Geology, Geochemistry and Spatial and Temporal Relationships. Geokong, 81, Geol. Soc. S. Afri. Abstr., p. 139–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, H., Mathias, M. andSimpson, E.S.W., 1960,The Damaraland Subvolcanic Ring Complexes in South West Africa., Int. Geol. Congress Rep. 21st Sess., Norden,13, p. 156–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martini, J.E.J., 1974,On the Presence of Ash Beds and Volcanic Fragments in the Greywackes of the Karroo System in the Southern Cape Province. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,77, p. 113–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maske, S., 1966,The Petrography of the Ingeli Mountain Range. Ann. Univ. stellenbosch,41, p. 1–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, M.J., 1970,An Occurrence of Pillow Lava in a Basal Flow of the Drakensberg volcanic stage, Ndedema Valley, Natal. Proc. Pap. 2nd Gondwana Symp., S. Afr. p. 433–440.

  • McDougall, I., 1963.Potossium-argon Age Measurements on Dolexites from Antoretica and South Africa. J. Geophys. Res.,68 (5), p. 1535–1445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, A.A., 1979,Petrology and Geochemistry of Karroo Basalts and Dolerites of the Molteno Area. M.Sc. thesis (unpubl.), Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, A.C., 1965,The North Gap Dyke of the Transkei. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,68, p. 89–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicolaysen, L.O., Burger, A.J. andJohnson, R.L., 1962,The Age of the Shawa Carbonatite Complex. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr.,65, p. 293–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nienaber, C.J., 1975,Stormberg Lavas in the Cathedral Peak Area, Natal Drakensberg. B.Sc. Geology Proj. (unpubl.), Univ. Natal.

  • Pearce, J.A., Alabaster, T., Shelton, A.W. andSearle, M.P., 1981,The Oman Ophiolite as a Cretaceous Are — Basin Complex: Evidence and Implications. Phil. Trans. Roy. S. Lond.,300, p. 299–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pemberton, J., 1978,The Geochemistry and Petrology of Karroo Basalts of the Barkly East Area, North-Eastern Cape. M.Sc. thesis (unpubl.), Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poldervaart, A., 1944,The Petrology of the Elephant’s Head Dike and the New Amalfi Sheet (Matatiele). Trans. R. Soc. S.Afr.,30, p. 85–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————, 1952,Karroo Dolerites and Basalts in the Eastern Part of the Bechuánaland Protectorate. Trans. Geol. Soc. S.Afr.,55, p. 125–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeves, D.V., 1972,Rifting in the Kalahari? Nature,237, p. 95–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —————, 1978,Differentiation der Karroo-Eruptiva in südlichen Kaokofeld, Südwestafrika. Int. Geol. Congress Rep., 15th sess., South Africa,2, p. 28–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andMartin, H., 1957,Die Praä-Karroo-Landschft, die Karroo-Sedimente und Karroo-Eruptivgesteine des südlichen Kaokofelder in Südwestafrica. Neues Jb. Miner. Abh.,91, p. 192–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, R.C. andBornhorst, T.J., 1976,Petrologic Provinces in Jurassic Tholeiites of Gondwanaland. Geol. Rundsch.,65, 930–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ————— andKrohn, D.R., 1972,Tectonic Control over Regional Geochemical Variation in the Karoo Basaltic Province of Southern Africa. Trans. Geol. Soc. S.Afr.,75, p. 11–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, S.H., 1979,Chemical Variation Induced by Flowage Differentiation in an Extensive Dolerite Sheet, Southern Namibia. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta,43, p. 1433–1441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robey, J. van A., 1973,The Telemachus Kop and Modderfontein Volcanic Vents West of Jamestown, Cape Province. B.Sc. Hons. thesis (unpublic.), Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————, 1976,Aspects of the Geochemistry of the Karroo Dolerites and Basalts of the North Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. M.Sc. thesis (unpubl.), Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumble, K.C., 1979,The Geochemistry and Petrology of the Karroo Andesites and Associated Basalts of the North Eastern Cape Province. M.Sc. thesis (unpubl.), Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, P.J., 1968,Some Conclusions Drawn from a Basin Analysis of the Ecca Series in the Karoo Basin. Palaeont. Afr.,11, p. 133–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saggerson, E.P. andBristow, J.W., 1983,The Geology and Structural Relationships of Volcanic and Intrusive Rocks of the Southern Lebombo. Bull. Volcanol., this issue.

  • ————— andLogan, C.T., 1970,Distribution Controls of Layered and Differentiated Mafic Intrusions in the Lebombo Volcanic Subprovince. Geol. Soc. S.Afr. Spec, Publ.,1, p. 721–733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauvan, P., Esquevin, J. andChennaux, G., 1975,Transformation induites par des intrusions doleritiques dans une Serie Argileuse: L’Ecca de Bergville (Afrique du Sud). Bull. Centre Rech. Pau-S.N.P.A.,9 (2), p. 261–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scrutton, R.A., 1974,Structure and Evolution of the Sea Floor South of South Africa. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.,19, p. 250–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siedner, G. andMiller, J.A., 1968,K-Ar Determinations on Basaltic Rocks from South West Africa and Their Bearing on Continental Drift. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.,4, p. 451–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ————— andMitchell, F.G., 1976,Episodic Mesozoic Volcanism in Namibia and Brazil: a K-Ar Isochron Study Bearing on the Opening of the South Atlantic. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.,30, p. 292–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stockley, G.M., 1947,Report on the Geology of Basutoland. Basutoland Govt. Printer, Maseru.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift, W.H., White, W.C., Wiles, J.W. andWorst, B.G., 1953,The Geology of the Lower Sabi Coalfield. Bull. Geol. Surv. S. Rhodesia,40, 52 pp.

  • Tavener-Smith, R., 1979,Prograding Middle-Ecca Coastal Associations from the Effingham Quarries near Durban. Geokong. 79. Abstr. 18th Cong. Geol. Soc., S.Afr., p. 61–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vail, J.T., 1966,E structure e geocronologia da parte oriental de Africa central, com referencias a Macambique. Bull. Serv. Geol. Minas. Mocambique,33, p. 13–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verwoerd, W.J., 1967,The Carbonatites of South Africa and South West Africa. Geol. Surv. S.Afr., Handbook6, 452 pp.

  • Walker, F. andPoldervaart, A., 1949,Karroo Dolerites of the Union of South Africa. Bull. Geol. Soc. Am.,60, p. 591–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooley, A.R. andGarson, M.S., 1970,Petrochemical and Tectonic Relationship of the Malawi Carbonatite-Alkaline Provinces and the Lupata-Lebombo volcanies. In:Clifford, T.N. andGass, I.G. (eds.),African Magmatism and Tectonism, p. 211–235. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————— andElliot, C.J., 1979,The Karoo Dolerites of Southern Malawi and Their Regional Implications. Mineral. Mag.,43, p. 487–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worst, B.G., 1962,The Geology of the Mwanesi Range and the Adjoining Country. Bull. Geol. Surv. S. Rhodesia,54, 63 pp.

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. J. W. Bristow

    Present address: , P.O. Box 47, 8300, Kimberley, South Africa

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.

    J. W. Bristow

  2. Department of Geology, University of Natal, 4001, Ducban, South Africa

    E. P. Saggerson

Authors
  1. J. W. Bristow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. P. Saggerson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bristow, J.W., Saggerson, E.P. A review of Karoo vulcanicity in Southern Africa. Bull Volcanol 46, 135–159 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597582

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597582

Keywords

Search

Navigation