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The Abakaliki pyroclastics – Eastern Nigeria: new age and tectonic implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

A. B. Uzuakpunwa
A. B. Uzuakpunwa
Affiliation:
Department of GeologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt John'sNewfoundland, Canada
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Summary

Basic to intermediate pyroclastic rocks of pre-Albian age are overlain by the Abakaliki shale of Asu River Group in Eastern Nigeria. The shale has been assigned Albian age on the basis of abundant (middle Albian?) ammonites found in it. It was folded (together with the pyroclastics) about a NE–SW trending anticlinal axis during the Santonian time. This new evidence of an early Cretaceous volcanism supports a pre-Albian rifting of the African shield prior to the opening of the Southern Atlantic. The latter event took place (probably in stages) during Albian time (i.e. less than 110 Ma ago), with a widespread marine transgression in West Africa and South America.

Type
Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 111 , Issue 1 , January 1974 , pp. 65 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

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