D.Phil. (Geology) / The tectonic evolution of the "western margin" of the Witwatersrand Basin is examined and indications are that it has undergone a long and complex history. In order to examine the nature of Witwatersrand-age structures, structures in both pre- and post-Witwatersrand sequences are also examined. Rocks of the ±3074 Ma Dominion Group were subjected to a tectono-metamorphic event prior to the deposition of Witwatersrand strata on an angular unconformity. An oligomictic conglomerate is sporadically developed at the base of the Witwatersrand Supergroup. PreVentersdorp structures in Witwatersrand strata are developed in two distinct trends, north-south and northeast-southwest. The relationship between the two directions of folds and thrust faults are best explained within a regional, sinistral transpressive shear couple; the north-south faults are sinistral strike-slip faults and the northeast-southwest trending folds and thrust faults are secondary structures associated with the strikeslip faults. The implications of this model are that Witwatersrand sedimentation was probably controlled by lateral movements on north-south trending faults and not by thrust faults in a foreland system as suggested by the most recent models of Witwatersrand basin development. Post-Witwatersrand deformation is complex. Southeastward verging, pre-Ventersdorp, thrust faults were reactivated as normal faults during Platberg times and the resultant half-grabens were infilled by conglomerates of the Kameeldoorns Formation. Later deformational events include eastward verging post-Ventersdorp thrust faults and post-Transvaal normal and strike-slip faults. It can be demonstrated that the majority of this later fault movements took place along pre-existing fault planes and therefore tectonic inversion is a fundamental process in the evolution of the Witwatersrand Basin. Clearly therefore, the present distribution of Witwatersrand strata does not reflect the original basin geometry, it is the result of several periods of basin inversion and no basin margins can be defined.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:12488 |
| Date | 07 October 2014 |
| Creators | Van der Merwe, Roelof |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
Page generated in 0.002 seconds