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Aeromagnetic interpretation in the south-central Zimbabwe Craton: (reappraisal of) crustal structure and tectonic implications

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Abstract

Regional aeromagnetic data from the south-central Zimbabwe Craton have been digitally processed and enhanced for geological and structural mapping and tectonic interpretation integrated with gravity data, to constrain previous interpretations based on tentative geologic maps and provide new information to link these structural features to known tectonic events. The derived maps show excellent correlation between magnetic anomalies and the known geology, and extend lithological and structural mapping to the shallow/near subsurface. In particular, they reveal the presence of discrete crustal domains and several previously unrecognised dykes, faults, and ultramafic intrusions, as well as extensions to others. Five regional structural directions (ENE, NNE, NNW, NW, and WNW) are identified and associated with trends of geological units and cross-cutting structures. The magnetic lineament patterns cut across the >2.7 Ga greenstone belts, which are shown by gravity data to be restricted to the uppermost 10 km of the crust. Therefore, the greenstone belts were an integral part of the lithosphere before much of the upper crustal (brittle) deformation occurred. Significantly, the observed magnetic trends have representatives craton-wide, implying that our interpretation and inferences can be applied to the rest of the craton with confidence. Geological–tectonic correlation suggests that the interpreted regional trends are mainly 2.5 Ga (Great Dyke age) and younger, and relate to tectonic events including the reactivation of the Limpopo Belt at 2.0 Ga and the major regional igneous/dyking events at 1.8–2.0 Ga (Mashonaland), 1.1 Ga (Umkondo), and 180 Ma (Karoo). Thus, their origin is here inferred to be inter- and intra-cratonic collisions and block movements involving the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal Cratons and the Limpopo Belt, and later lithospheric heating and extension associated with the break-up of Gondwana. The movements produced structures, or reactivated older fractures, that were exploited by Late Archaean and Proterozoic mafic intrusions. There was interplay between vertical and horizontal tectonics as seen in similar terrains worldwide.

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Abbreviations

AFTT:

Apatite fission-track thermochronology

BIF:

Banded iron formation

BKD:

Botswana Karoo dyke (swarm)

BGS:

Botswana geological survey

CGS:

Council for geosciences (South Africa)

CZ:

Central zone (Limpopo Belt)

ED:

East dyke

FRD:

Fort Rixon dykes

GD:

The Great Dyke

KC:

Kaapvaal craton

LB:

Limpopo belt

MCD:

Mashava-Chivi dykes

NLTZ:

North limpopo thrust zone

NMZ:

North marginal zone (Limpopo Belt)

SMZ:

South marginal zone (Limpopo Belt)

SPD:

Sebanga Poort dyke

UD:

Umvimeela dyke

ZC:

Zimbabwe Craton

ZGS:

Zimbabwe geological survey

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Acknowledgments

The Zimbabwe Geological Survey provided the aeromagnetic data used in this study and gave permission for the data to be published. This work represents part of postgraduate studies by RTR at the University of Leeds, funded by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. RTR and KAW benefited from the British Council Link scheme between the Departments of Earth Sciences (University of Leeds) and Physics (University of Zimbabwe). RTR acknowledges initial contributions on this work from Dai Jones and Branko Corner, and thanks Alan Reid for advice and encouragement at various stages of the study. An extensive critical review by H Jelsma on the initial manuscript as well as comments by B Drenth and P Johnson on subsequent versions is greatly appreciated as they improved the paper. Constructive comments by the reviewers, especially Henry V Lyatsky, are greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, University of Botswana, P. Bag UB0704, Gaborone, Botswana

    Rubeni T. Ranganai

  2. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE, UK

    Kathryn A. Whaler

  3. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 227 Hutchison Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA

    Cynthia J. Ebinger

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  1. Rubeni T. Ranganai
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  2. Kathryn A. Whaler
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Correspondence to Rubeni T. Ranganai.

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Ranganai, R.T., Whaler, K.A. & Ebinger, C.J. Aeromagnetic interpretation in the south-central Zimbabwe Craton: (reappraisal of) crustal structure and tectonic implications. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 105, 2175–2201 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-015-1279-7

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