Sedimentology and paleocurrent study of the early triassic rocks in the Ruhuhu basin, SW Tanzania
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The sedimentary succession ranging in age from Permian to Early Triassic in Ruhuhu basin was subdivided into eight informal lithostratigraphic units, identified by the symbols from K1 to K8. Manda Formation (K8) belongs to Early Triassic age and comprises two Members, i.e., Lower Kingori Member and Upper Lifua Member (150-200 m thickness). The implications of present study relate to inter and intra basinal correlations which may provide regional depositional framework from a mass of local details. Present investigation connoting the lithofacies studies in conjunction with palaeocurrent and grain size analysis of the early Triassic strata aims at interpreting the depositional environment of Lifua Member. Based on the present study, five lithofacies have been identified, namely (i) Massive matrix supported paraconglomerate (Gmm), (ii) Massive sandstone (Sm), (iii) Parallel-horizontal laminated sandstone (Sh), (iv) Planar cross-bedded sandstone (Sp) and (v) Fine silt, mud and clay (Fl). Sandstone facies (Sm, Sh, and Sp) exhibit normal grading and unimodal palaeocurrent direction. Grain size analysis indicated that the sandstones were moderately sorted, finely skewed, mesokurtic and most of the grains were silty-sand. Bivariate scatter plots suggest that the Lifua Member sandstone is of riverine environment. Lithofacies, palaeocurrent and grain size studies suggest fluvial environment dominated by sand channel deposits.
Description
Abstract. Full text article available at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjs/article/view/196322
Keywords
Lithofacies, Paleocurrent, Channel deposits, Ruhuhu basin, Tanzania, Lifua member, Early triassic, Riverine environment
Citation
Kiwango, A. S., & Mishra, D. (2020). Sedimentology and paleocurrent study of the early triassic rocks in the Ruhuhu basin, SW Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Science, 46(2), 383-396