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Structural and microstructural evolution of Etam Shear Zone in the Central African Fold Belt, SW-Cameroon: implication of hydrothermal syn-tectonic quartz vein formation

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Abstract

The Etam Shear Zone is a N to NNE trending strike-slip zone, and it displays a sinistral shearing mylonitic (ductile) zone and a brittle zone. Field observations and microstructural studies reveal that the ductile zone experienced strain partition. Primary minerals (quartz, K-feldspar, Plagioclase, and biotite) in wall rock (granodiorite) are gradually reduced towards the intensively deformed shear zone center. Quartz recrystallization also increases in the same direction. The structural evolution reveals the following: (1) a first phase of deformation D1 underlined by S1 foliation and mylonitic schistosity (Sm). This phase is oriented N10°E to N22°E and is associated with L1 lineation (NNE-SSW, average plunge of 10° NE), F1 fold (fold axis~ S60E), and asymmetric β1 boudins of domino’s type; (2) a second phase D2 that develop F2 folding, C2 shearing planes (N60E to N75E and dipping strongly W to NW), and a late D2 brittle event. Microstructures such as recrystallization, sub-grain boundary, myrmekites, and undulose extinction characterize the sub magmatic and post magmatic deformation. Kinematic markers (rotated mineral, shearing planes, and fold vergence) reveal an earlier dextral shearing movement in biotite gneiss followed by sinistral shear sense recorded in mylonites. The mica-chlorite-epidote assemblage defines a greenschist facies in the Etam Shear Zone. Metasomatic reactions (Plagioclase + K-feldspar + water = Quartz + Albite + Epidote + Chlorite) during pervasive alteration of some minerals have probably released silica during deformation that was carried by hydrothermal fluids and precipitated in pull-apart fracture to form hydrothermal syn-kinematic quartz veins.

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Acknowledgements

Donald Fossi and Landry Wabo are gratefully acknowledged for the high quality of the maps provided. The authors address their thanks to Lydia Akwo and Guilliano Fossong for improving the English. Anonymous reviewers, chief editor, and associate editor are sincerely thanked for careful and constructive comments which significantly improved this manuscript.

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This work has been financially supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Cameroon, through the Special Allocation for the Modernization of Research (SAMR) granted to the authors.

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  1. Economic Geology Unit, Department of Geology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon

    Cyrille Sigue, Cheo Emmanuel Suh & Jean Lavenir Ndema Mbongue

  2. Laboratory of Geosciences for Internal Formations and Applications, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 3412, MESSA-, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Cyrille Sigue & Jean Lavenir Ndema Mbongue

  3. Department of Geology, Mining and Environmental Sciences, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon

    Cheo Emmanuel Suh

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Sigue, C., Suh, C.E. & Mbongue, J.L.N. Structural and microstructural evolution of Etam Shear Zone in the Central African Fold Belt, SW-Cameroon: implication of hydrothermal syn-tectonic quartz vein formation. Arab J Geosci 16, 341 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11438-6

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