The early efforts of Booth, Johnson, Rubidge, Catuneanu, de Wit, Chevallier, Stankiewicz, Weckmann and many other scientists in studying the Karoo Supergroup has led to comprehensive documentation of the geology on the main Karoo Basin with regards to understanding the age, sedimentology, sedimentary facies and depositional environments. In spite of these studies, the subsurface structure, variations in thickness of various formations in large parts of the basin, the location and orientation of subsurface dolerite intrusions, and the depth to magnetic and gravity sources remains poorly documented. A geological study with the aid of geophysical techniques, magnetic and gravity, was conducted in the southwestern part of the main Karoo Basin. The objectives of the study were to construct numerous models of the main basin that image the crust to a depth of 45 km, to determine thicknesses of various formations, to relate observed geophysical anomalies with geological bodies and lineaments, to estimate the depth of existing anomalous bodies, to determine densities and porosity of various formations, as well as to determine the mineralogy of various rocks in the Karoo Basin.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the history of water in two small Karoo towns. The main argument of the thesis is that the availability of and access to water has played influential roles in the development of Williston and Prince Albert. The ambitions of this thesis are three-fold: firstly, the approach is socio-environmental history and therefore it provides insight into the environmental as well as the social history of the resource in each region. It consciously reflects on the notion of power and explores the manner in which access to water was racialised by authorities in each town. Secondly, this thesis provides insight into the technological and legislative water supply and development of sanitation at both settlements, which is outlined in a broader national development to contextualise the local trajectories. Thirdly, through personal narratives it offers an ethnographic analysis of mind-sets such as fatalism and hopefulness in the face of extreme climatic conditions are examined. The experiences of the socially marginalised and underrepresented are intended to challenge the whiggish celebration of anthropogenic ascendancy over nature in the historiography. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die geskiedenis van water in twee klein Karoo dorpies. The hoof argument van die tesis is dat die beskikbaarheid van en toegang tot water bepalende rolle gespeel het in die ontwikkeling van Williston en Prins Albeit. Die doelstellings van hierdie tesis is drievoudig: eerstens, is die benadering sosio-omgewingsgeskiedenis en verskaf dit dus insig oor die omgewings- sowel as die sosiale geskiedenis van hierdie natuurlike hulpbron in elke streek. Hierdie werk weerspieel doelbewus die idee van mag en ondersoek die wyse waarop toegang tot water deur die dorpsowerhede rasbevooroordeeld was. Tweedens, verskaf hierdie tesis insig oor die water toevoer en die ontwikkeling van sanitere geriewe in beide nedersettings, waama die plaaslike ontwikkeling gesien word binne ' n breer nasionale konteks. Derdens word daar deur middel van persoonlike vertellings gekyk na die opkoms van etnografiese ingesteldhede soos fatalisme en hoop wanneer uiterste klimaatstoestande in die gesig gestaar word. Die ervannge van die sosiaal gemarginaliseerde en die onderverteenwoordigde groepe word uitgelig ten einde die liberate viering van antropogeniese dorninasie oor die natuur uit te daag.