Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Granitoids of the Magba shear zone, West Cameroon, Central Africa: Evidences for emplacement under transpressive tectonic regime

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The Magba Shear Zone is made up of granites, migmatites, orthogneiss, metagabbro, mafic dyke and mylonites with coarse grained texture, porphyroblastic, granoblastic, cataclastic and mylonitic texture respectively. Structural features and kinematic indicators testify the syntectonic emplacement of Magba granitoids and also provide detailed information on the relative timing of deformation as follows: (1) D1 of tangential movement immediately followed by (2) the D2 phase which is heterogeneous simple shear in dextral transpressive context with a NW-SE direction (3) D3 tectonic phase is marked by sinistral transpressive tectonic and superposed folding with a NE-SW kinematic direction. Combined ductile NE-SW shear movements and NWSE compressional movements defined a transpressional tectonic regime during the D3 deformation (4) A brittle stage D4 is controlled by transcurrent tectonics and responsible for the emplacement of faults, and joints. The Magba granites would have intruded along sub-vertical mid-crustal feeder channels and were emplaced as a sheet or sheets along the shear zone during the early stage of the C3 shearing, followed by gabbro and mafic dyke at the late stage. Strike-slip dilatancy pumping under transpressive tectonic is suggested as a possible mechanism for the emplacement of the Magba granites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Basseka, C.A., Shandini, Y., and Tadjou, J.M. (2011) Sub-surface structural mapping using gravity data of the northern edge of the Congo Craton, South Cameroon: Geofizika, v.28(2), pp.229–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, T.H. (1981) Foliation development—the contribution, geometry and significance of progressive, bulk, inhomogeneous shortening. Tectonophys., v.75, pp.263–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blenkinsop, T.G. (1989) Deformation Microstructures and Mechanisms in Minerals and Rocks. Kluwer Academic Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumenfeld, P. (1983) Le “tuilage des mégacristaux”, un critére d’écoulement rotationnel pour les fluidalités des roches magmatiques. Application au granite de Barbey-Séroux (Vosges, France). Bull. Soc. géol. Fr. 7 Ser. XXV, pp.309–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumenfeld, P. and Bouchez, J.-L. (1988) Shear criteria in granite and migmatite deformed in the magmatic and solid states. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.10, pp.361–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, M. (1994) The generation, segregation, ascent and emplacement of granite magma: the migmatite-to-crustally-derived granite connection in thickened orogens. Earth Sci. Rev. v.36, pp.83–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burg, J.P., Corsini, M., Diop, C., Maurin, J.C. (1993) Structure et cinématique du Sud de la chaîne des Mauritanides: un système de nappe tégumentaire varisque. C. R. Acad. Sci., v.317, pp.697–703.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobbold, P.R., Gapais, D., Rossello, E.A. (1991) Partitioning of transpressive motions within a sigmoidal fold belt: the Variscan Sierras Australes, Argentina. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.13, pp.743–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dabo, M., Gueye, M., Ngom, P.M., Diagne, M. (2008) Orogen-parallel tectonic transport: transpression and strain partitioning in the Mauritanides of NE Senegal. In: Ennih, N & Liégeois, JP. (eds) The Boundaries of West African Craton. Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., v.297, pp.483–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Den Tex, E. (1969) Origin of ultramafic rocks, their tectonic setting and history. Tectonophys., v.7, pp.457–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Lemos, R.S., Brown, M. & Strachan, R.A. (1992) Granite magma generation, ascent and emplacement within a transpressional orogen. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.149, pp.287–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferré, E., Gleizes, G., Caby, R. (2002) Obliques convergent tectonics and granite emplacement in the Trans-Saharian belt of Eastern Nigeria: a Synthesis. Precambrian Res., v.114, pp.199–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feybesse, J.L., Johan, V., Triboulet, C., Guerrot, C., Mayaga-Mikolo, F., Bouchot, V., and Eko N’dong, J. (1998) The West Central African belt: A model of 2.5–2.0 Ga accretion and two-phase orogenic evolution: Precambrian Res., v.87, pp.161–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganno, S., Nzenti, J., Ngnotue, T., Kankeu, B., Kouankap, N. G. D. (2010) Polyphase deformation and evidence for transpressive tectonics in the Kimbi area, Northwestern Cameroon Pan-African fold belt. Jour. Geol. Min. Res., v.2(1), pp.1–015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, G.A. (1988) Factors affecting kinematic interpretation of asymmetric boudinage in shear zones. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.10, pp.707–715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh, S.K. and Sengupta, S. (1987). Progressive evolution of structures in a ductile shear zone. Jour. Struct. Geol., v. 9, pp.277–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hancock, S. L., and Rutland, W. R. (1984) Tectonics of the early Proterozoic geosuture: The Halls Creek Orogenic Sub-Province, Northern Australia. Jour. Geodynamics, v.1, pp.387–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanmer, S. (1986) Asymmetrical pull-aparts and foliation fish as kinematic indicadors. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.8, pp.111–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ildefonse, B., Sokoutis, D. and Mancktelow, N.S. (1992a) Mechanical interactions between rigid particles in a deforming ductile matrix. Analogue experiments in simple shear flow. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.14, pp.1253–1266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ildefonse, B., Launeau, P., Bouchez, J.-L. and Fernandez, A. (1992b) Effect of mechanical interactions on the development of shape preferred orientations: a two-dimensional experimental approach. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.14, pp.73–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imber, J., Holdsworth, R.E., Butler, C.A., Strachan, R.A. (2001) A reappraisal of the Sibson-Scholz fault zone model: the nature of frictional to viscous (“brittle-ductile”) transition along a long-lived crustal scale fault, Outer Hebrides Scotland. Tectonics, v.20, pp.601–624.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R.R. and Tanner, P.W.G. (1995) Strain partitioning in transpression zones. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.17, pp.793–802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kankeu, B., Greiling, R.O., Nzenti, J.P. (2009) Pan-African strike-slip tectonics in eastern Cameroon-Magnetic fabrics (AMS) and structure in the Lom basin and its gneissic basement (Bétare-Oya area). Precambrian Res., v.17(3-4), pp.258–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerouge, C., Cocherie, A., Toteu, S.F., Penaye, J., Milési, J.P., Tchameni, R., Nsifa, E.N., Mark Fanning, C., and Deloule, E. (2006) Shrimp U–Pb zircon age evidence for Paleoproterozoic sedimentation and 2.05 Ga syntectonic plutonismin the Nyong Group, South-Western Cameroon: Consequences for the Eburnean-Transamazonian belt of NE Brazil and Central Africa. Jour. African Earth Sci., v.44, pp.413–427.

  • Lister, G. S. & Snoke, A. W. (1984) S-C Mylonites. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.6, pp.617–638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R. B. & Paterson, S. R. (1994) The transition from magmatic to hightemperature solid-state deformation: implications from the Mount Stuart batholith, Washington. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.16, pp.853–866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed, G., Abdelsalam, Robert, J., Stern, P. C., Elfadil, M., Elfaki, B.E., Fathelrahman, M. and Ibrahim (1998) The Neoproterozoic Keraf Suture in NE Sudan: Sinistral Transpression along the Eastern Margin of West Gondwana. Jour. Geol., v.106, pp.133-147.

  • Moreau, C., Regnoult, J.M., Deruelle, B., Robineau, B. (1987) A new tectonic model for the Cameroon Line, Central Africa. Tectonophys. v.139, pp.317–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mvondo, H., Owona, S., Mvondo, O.J., Essono, J. (2007) Tectonic evolution of the Yaoundé segment of the Neoproterozoic Central African Orogenic Belt in Southern Cameroon. Can. Jour. Earth Sci., v.44, pp.433–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nédélec, A., Nsifa, E.N., and Martin, H. (1990) Major and trace element geochemistry of the Archaean Ntem plutonic complex (south Cameroon): Petrogenesis and crustal evolution: Precambrian Res., v.47, pp.35–50.

  • Ngako, V., Affaton, P., Nnange, J.M., Njanko, T. (2003) Pan-African tectonic evolution in central and southern Cameroon: transpression and transtention during sinsistral shear movements. Jour. African Earth Sci., v.36, pp.207–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ngako, V., Affaton, P., Njonfang, E.(2008) Pan-African tectonics in northwestern Cameroon: Implication for the history of western Gondwana. Gondwana Res., v.14, pp.509–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguiessi, T.C., Nzenti, J.P., Nsifa, E.N., Tempier, P., Tchoua, F.M. (1997) Les granitoïdes calco-alcalins, syn-cisaillement de Bandja dans la Chaîne Panafricaine Nord-Equatoriale au Cameroun. C. R. Acad. Sci., v.325, pp.95–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Njonfang, E., Ngako, V., Kwekam, M., Affaton, P. (2006) Les orthogneiss calcoal-calins de Foumban-Bankim: témoins d’une zone interne de marge activepanafricaine en cisaillement. Comptes Rendus Géosciences, v.338, pp.606–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Njonfang, E., Ngako, V., Moreau, C., Affaton, P., Diot, E. (2008) Restraining bends in high temperature shear zones: the “Central Cameroon Shear Zone”, Central Africa. Jour. African Earth Sci. v.52, pp.9–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ntiéche, B. (2009) Etude pétrographique et géo-environnementale des granitoïdes de la zone de Magba Ouest Cameroun. DEA Univ.Yaoundé I. p.53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nzenti, J.P., Barbey, P., Macaudiere, J., Soba, D. (1988) Origin and evolution of the late Precambrian high-grade Yaoundé gneisses (Cameroon). Precambrian Res., v.38, pp.91–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olavi, S., Ehlers, C., and Lindroos, A. (1996) Structural features and emplacement of the late Svecofennian Perniö granite sheet in southern Finland. Bull. Geol. Soc. Finland, no.68, Part 2, pp.5–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passchier, C.W., Ten Brink, C.E., Bons, P.D., Sokoutis, D. (1993) Delta objects as a gauge for stress sensitivity of strain rate in mylonites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v.120, pp.239–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passchier, C.W. and Trouw, R.A.J. (1996) Microtectonics. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passchier, C.W. and Trouw, R.A.J. (1998) Microtectonics. Springer, Berlin, pp.1–289.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Passchier, C.W. and Trouw, R.A.J. (2005) Micro-tectonics, 2nd Ed, Springer, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, S.R., Vernon, R.H. and Tobisch, O.T. (1989) A review of criteria for the identification of magmatic and tectonic foliations in granitoids. Jour. Struct. Geol. v.11, pp.349–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penaye, J., Toteu, S.F., Tchameni, R., Van Schmus, W.R., Tchakounté, J., Ganwa, A., Minyem, D., and Nsifa, E.N. (2004) The 2.1 Ga West Central African Belt in Cameroon: Extension and evolution: Jour. African Earth Sci., v.39, pp.159–164.

  • Ragan, D.M. (1973) Structural geology: an introduction to geometrical techniques. 2nd edition, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp.1–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, E.H. and Neumann, D.H.K. (1995) Experimental deformation of partially molten Westerly granite under fluid-absent conditions, with implications for the extraction of granitic magmas. Jour. Geophys. Res., v.100, pp.15697–15715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shang, C.K., Satir, M., Siebel, W., Nsifa, E.N., Taubald, H., Liégeois, J.P., and Tchoua, F.M. (2004) TTG magmatism in the Congo craton; a view from major and trace element geochemistry, Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd systematics: Case of the Sangmelima region, Ntem complex, southern Cameroon: Jour. African Earth Sci., v.40, pp.61–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shang, C., Satir, M., Nsifa, E., Liégeois, J.P., Siebel, W. and Taubald, H. (2007) Archaean high-K granitoids produced by remelting of earlier TonaliteTrondhjemite–Granodiorite (TTG) in the Sangmelima region of the Ntem complex of the Congo craton, southern Cameroon: Internat. Jour. Earth Sci., v.96, pp.817–841.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suh, C.E., Dada, S.S. (1997) Fault rocks and differential reactivity of minerals in the Kanawa Violaine uraniferous vein, NE Nigeria. Jour. Struct. Geol., v.19, pp.1037–1044.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suh, C.E., Cabral, A.R., Shemang, E.M., Mbinkar, L., and Mboudou, G.G.M. (2008) Two contrasting iron deposits in the Precambrian mineral belt of Cameroon, West Africa: Exploration and Mining Geol., v.17, pp.197–207.

  • Tanko, N.E.L., Nzenti, J.P., Njanko, T., Kapajika, B., and Nédélec, A. (2005) New U–Pb zircon ages from Tonga (Cameroon): Coexisting Eburnean-Transamazonian (2.1 Ga) and Pan-African (0.6 Ga) imprints: Comptes Rendus Geosciences, v.337, pp.551–562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tchameni, R., Mezger, K., Nsifa, N.E., and Pouclet, A. (2001) Crustal origin of Early Proterozoic syenites in the Congo Craton (Ntem Complex), South Cameroon: Lithos, v.57, pp.23–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tcheumenak, K.J., Njanko, T., Kwekam, M., Naba, S., Bella Nke, B.E., Yakeu Sandjo, A.F., Fozing, E.M., Njonfang, E. (2014) Kinematic evolution of the Fodjomekwet-Fotouni Shear Zone (West-Cameroon): Implications for emplacement of the Fomopea and Bandja plutons: Jour. African Earth Sci., v.99, pp.261–275.

  • Tikoff, B., De Saint Blanquatt, M. (1997) Transpressional shearing and strikeslip partitioning in the late Cretaceous Sierra Nevada magmatic arc, California. Tectonics, v.16, pp.442–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toteu, S.F., Van Schmus, W.R., Penaye, J., and Nyobé, J.B.(1994) U-Pb and Sm-N edvidence for Eburnian and Pan-African high-grade metamorphism in cratonic rocks of southernCameroon: Precambrian Res., v.67, pp.321–347.

  • Toteu, S.F., Van Schmus, W.R., Penaye, J. and Michard, A. (2001) New U–Pb and Sm–Nd data from north-central Cameroon and its bearing on the pre-Pan African history of central Africa: Precambrian Res., v.108, pp.45–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toteu, S.F., Penaye, J., and Djomani, Y.P. (2004) Geodynamic evolution of the Pan-African belt in central Africa with special reference to Cameroon: Canadian Jour. Earth Sci., v.41, p.73-85.

  • Toteu, S.F., Penaye, J., Deloule, E., Van Schmus, W.R., and Tchameni, R. (2006a) Diachronous evolution of volcanosedimentary basins north of the Congo craton: Insights from U–Pb ion microprobe dating of zircons from the Poli, Lom and Yaoundé Groups (Cameroon): Jour. African Earth Sci., v.44, pp.428–442.

  • Toteu, S.F., Van Schmus, W.R., and Penaye, J. (2006b) The Precambrian of CentralAfrica: Summary and perspectives: Jour. African Earth Sci., v.44, pp.vii–x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Schmus, W.R., Oliveira, E.P., Da Silva Filho, A.F., Toteu, S.F., Penaye, J., and Guimaraes, I.P. (2008) Proterozoic links between the Borborema Province, NE Brazil, and the Central African Fold Belt: Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., v.294(1), pp.69–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, 500 007, India

    Benjamin Ntieche & M. Ram Mohan

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Benjamin Ntieche & Moundi Amidou

Authors
  1. Benjamin Ntieche
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Ram Mohan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Moundi Amidou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin Ntieche.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ntieche, B., Ram Mohan, M. & Amidou, M. Granitoids of the Magba shear zone, West Cameroon, Central Africa: Evidences for emplacement under transpressive tectonic regime. J Geol Soc India 89, 33–46 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0556-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0556-4

Search

Navigation